How Do Special Chairs Benefit Children with Autism?

By raluca.olariu@…, 12 August, 2022
girl playing with toys and sitting on chair

There are a number of things to consider when choosing seating options for children with autism. Some seats offer sensory inputs and mobility in the form of wiggling, bouncing, or rocking. Other seats provide more stability that supports children with appropriate positioning, armrests, lateral supports, or adjustable backrests based on their needs.

To help you decide which type of seating works best for your child, consider whether you want it to offer more support or more opportunity to move. Then, think about where or when they need to sit (at a desk or table, on the floor) and choose accordingly.

Benefits of special chairs for children with autism

There are many benefits to using special chairs for children with ASD. Here are some of them:

  • Provides an environment that is calming and soothing.
  • Allows for proper body alignment and posture.
  • Promotes eye contact between parent and child.
  • Supports communication skills by allowing for visual cues.
  • Improves self-care skills.  

Sensory seating is an effective intervention for children who suffer from autism spectrum disorder.

Some children with sensory processing issues, attention deficit disorders, or autism have trouble sitting still and benefit from active seating solutions to help them stay focused and engaged. These children's sensory systems may seek out more information through movement, so active seating allows them to move around and engage their senses.

To select an appropriate active seating option for your child, consider how much movement they need to be allowed, what types of movement are safe, and what type of activity engages them best.

If your child requires more support, then he may have poor core stability, strength, or endurance and may struggle to sit upright. By providing a seat that supports his back and hips, he can focus on learning without having to worry about falling out of his chair. His ability to pay attention improves, and he learns faster.

Seating options typically promote a 90/90/-90 seated position, which means that the child’s hips, knees, and feet are all able to rest at 90 degrees for maximum proximal stability; proximal stability basically means your body’s core/core is in a well supported and stable position so that your distal movement control like fine motor, oral, and visual motor skills can be as refined as they require to be. Some supported seating may also include lateral supports (or arm rests), seatbelts, trays, and pommels that go between the students’ legs to help keep them in place.

It is important to note that these additional supports (pommels, lap belts, and trays) should be considered restraints if they prevent the child from getting out of the chair. They should never be used alone as a means to keep a child in a sitting position.

Rocking Chairs and Swing Chairs

Children who seek out vestibular sensory input with excessive rocking should consider other ways to incorporate that input into their daily lives. Is it possible to sit in a rocking chair? Perhaps an indoor swing can help them achieve a similar sensation. For activities such as reading, listening to music, or leisure activities, offer sitting options that may provide more sensory input when feasible.

If your child rocks back and forth in their chair, you might want to consider buying a rocking chair so they can move around safely.

This rocking chair for kids from Gift Mark is crafted from solid wood and is built to last. Each spindle is hand carved with great detail, and the package includes all tools for easy assembly. 

Another great option is the Qaba Kids Plush Ride-On Rocking Horse, which comes shaped like a koala to make it more fun for your little one. It has a plush seat and soft arms for comfort, and it features smooth rocking runners with a safety belt to ensure safety.

This product is suitable for kids aged 18-36 months, and it makes a realistic sound of a koala when squeezing its ear, adding more fun while your kids are playing.    

When selecting an appropriate alternative seating option for your autistic child, there are several things to consider, including the child’s sensory and postural needs, the “when’ and “why’ for needing a special chair, and whether you want to use one type of chair exclusively or combine different types. Consult your occupational therapist or physical therapist for their individualized recommendations.  

Photo credit: Unsplash.