Floor Sitter - Giving The Support They Need

By: Kevin Cleary


Autism is a developmental disorder that affects every child differently. The one seemingly common thread to every child on the autism spectrum is a lack of normal development. This can manifest itself in the form of social anxieties, verbal deficiencies, or even an inability to socially interact with their peers. Occupational therapy can benefit children affected by autism by improving motor skills such as posture and balance. The use of a floor sitter can help achieve some of these motor skill goals

 Floor Therapy:

For children with special needs, such as autism, social interaction can be difficult. Floor time therapy allows those children the ability to interact on the floor at the same level, eye to eye. In a classroom setting, a floor sitter can allow autistic children to be on the floor during circle time. This can improve social interaction skills as well as facilitate an easier learning environment. At home, the use of a floor sitter can be fun for activities such as family game night. The whole family can try a floor puzzle or some other type of social interaction.  This can allow an autistic sibling to interact with the rest of the family on even footing and with the extra support they may need. This “floor time” helps children reach six crucial developmental milestones for emotional/intellectual growth. These include: self-regulation/interest in the world, engagement in human relations, two-way and complex communications, and emotional ideas/thinking.  A floor sitter can help children from infants to adolescents increase pelvic stability and strengthen core muscles needed for proper seating. Many can also be positioned into a reclining position depending on the child’s activity.

Tumble Form 2 Deluxe Floor Sitter:

Being able to have your child sit on the floor with their peers is beneficial for social therapy for autistic children. Not only does it put them at eye level with other children their age, it allows them to strengthen their core muscles and improve posture which can be an issue with autistic children. The Tumble Forms 2 Floor Sitters have adjustable shoulder straps in order to allow your child to sit securely and even grow with their seat. The shoulder harness slots allow for a four-inch vertical adjustment to accommodate children of different heights. They also incorporate a 45° hip strap while utilizing a quick release H-belt to maintain your child’s position correctly. The smaller versions of this sitter (small and medium) have an anti-thrust seat to increase pelvic stability. For children that are unable to ambulate, the mobile floor sitter can build lower body strength by pushing themselves around. For autistic children who need help with their gross motor skill development, these are perfect!!   These sitters

also allow for children to be in a reclined position or sitting upright for feeding purposes. The TumbleForms 2 Floor Sitter Wedge can help position your child in an upright or reclined position depending on the activity required. You can secure your child in the right position with a Velcro hook and loop system for instant adjust-ability for feeding or therapy time.

 Social skills are something that some children with autism need assistance with to develop. Being able to be eye to eye puts them on level footing with other children. Whether in a reclined or upright position, or even in a seat that is mobile, this can help children develop social and interpersonal skills they may not have had.

A Weighted Vest Can Help!!

By: Kevin Cleary

Every child on the autism spectrum is unique and so is the therapy targeted for their specific trigger. Many children diagnosed with autism have a hard time calming themselves down or concentrating on certain tasks. Therapy designed to calm these children or help them focus can sometimes benefit from the use of weighted therapy. This type of therapy can also be called deep-touch therapy. Understanding how weighted therapy influences the vestibular system in children is important to designing your child’s therapy. Below is a video with a great overview of how weighted vest therapy may be implemented.

Understanding the Magic

So exactly how does a weighted vest therapy program work? The main idea of using weighted or deep pressure input revolves around our proprioceptive system. This is the system that our bodies use to determine our sense of position relative to the space around us. Basically, this means where we are in reference to the world around us. An autistic child who has difficulty calming themselves may be looking for a way to calm their overactive nervous system. It’s this weighted sensation that can provide the appropriate proprioceptive input to calm and relieve any anxiety that the child may be experiencing. Typically, a weighted vest should be approximately 10% of the user’s body weight and can increase on-task behavior anywhere from 18% to 25%. It’s important to note that a weighted vest may not work for everyone and may even be used in conjunction with some other type of therapy strategy. As a calming tool, these vests can be incorporated in a classroom environment as an intervention that does not disrupt other children.

There are many techniques to achieve success during this type of therapy. Whether it’s active therapy that includes hugging or using beanbags or exercise balls to gently apply pressure, the benefits can be dramatic. When weighted therapy is applied, the body can release the hormone dopamine which helps calm the nervous system. Children who suffer from SID or ADHD can benefit from a weighted vest in order to calm them. These vests are worn for approximately one hour at a time and then removed. You can reapply the vest at regular intervals or when needed. Extended usage is discouraged since this allows the body to become accustomed to the proprioceptive input, therefore negating the benefits of this weighted therapy.

Tumble Form weighted Blanket

Tumble Forms 2 Weighted Vests

Since children come in all sizes, Tumble Forms offers weighted vests that are available in different sizes and as your child gets older (and larger) offers additional pockets so you can add weights to it. This allows you to customize your child’s weighted therapy as well as making their favorite vest available to them as they grow. From an extra small vest with four pockets to an extra-large vest with eight pockets, these easily secured vests can be adapted to just about any size child. Each vest comes with four ½ pound weights, four 1 pound weights, and four 2 pound weights. These weights are made of lead-free steel shot evenly distributed in a nylon sewn casting. Adjusting your vest to your child is simple since they incorporate Velcro fasteners so you can make the vest as snug as necessary. Additional weights for weightedvests are available in the same ½ lb., 1 lb., and 2 lb. options. This allows parents to add weight if necessary in order to calm autistic children with the proper deep pressure input necessary. You can work with your child’s therapist to dial in the proper added weight necessary to overcome their trigger. If the weighted vest works well for your child you can explore the possibility of a weighted kit. This includes a weighted vest, gel lap pad, a weighted animal, and a shawl for a change of pace and keeping your child’s interest.

Tumble Forms 2 Weighted Vest

Proprioceptive input can benefit children on the autism spectrum by calming their nervous system and allowing them to concentrate on tasks at hand. This calming can help with social events, homework, or even just enjoying family time. You should work with your child’s therapist to achieve the best therapy program for your child at therapy and in a home environment. Many therapy techniques, such as a weighted vest, can be used out in public to avoid or minimize embarrassing episodes.