| As moms and teachers everywhere know, kids have | | | | on the lap. For kids that are praxis or suffer from other |
| a lot of energy. They need to move and play to get | | | | types of speech disorders doing speech therapy |
| that energy out. This is true of all kids but this necessity | | | | exercises while in a net swing can keep them alert |
| is taken to a whole different level when dealing with | | | | and motivated for a longer period of time. |
| kids with special needs. Children with ADD, ADHD, | | | | - 3 in 1 Platform Swing - this is one of the most |
| Sensory Integration issues, and Autism all benefit from | | | | innovative therapy swings I have every seen used in |
| daily movement and stimulation. Although each kid is | | | | occupational therapy. The platform wing has long been |
| different, occupational therapists often use various | | | | a staple of sensory integration therapy. When Jean |
| kinds of swings and swinging techniques to help these | | | | Ayres invented the therapy she used platform swings |
| kids regulate their bodies. Swinging therapy helps kids | | | | to help regulate a child's vestibular system. She added |
| focus and increases a child's body awareness. | | | | that varying types the types of movement and planes |
| Occupational therapy is a key component to a | | | | of the body will increase body awareness. On a |
| successful program for kids with Sensory Integration | | | | Platform swing a child can stand, sit, and lie on their |
| Dysfunction (SID). Swings of various kinds are used to | | | | back or stomach. This innovative 3 in 1 system can |
| help regulate the vestibular system and some can | | | | also be removed from the swing and placed on the |
| provide proprioception for calming kids down and | | | | floor. It has a rotational devise on the underside of the |
| increasing body awareness. Often times parents find | | | | platform that allows the platform to turn endless in |
| carrying over occupational therapy techniques into the | | | | circles. This can help kids who cannot tolerate rotary |
| home a daunting task. Many parents turn their family | | | | movement learn to do it in a safe manner. Additionally |
| rooms in an OT clinic but not everyone has the skills or | | | | many kids in the Autism spectrum have a deep need |
| ability to hang swings from their ceilings or cover their | | | | to spin and this gives them a safe and appropriate |
| floors in mats. The best solution for most families is an | | | | way to get that movement. |
| indoor swing that has a variety of attachments and a | | | | - One Seated Glider - as with all swing the glider |
| solid support bar. | | | | stimulates the vestibular system but it also does so |
| To create the perfect indoor swinging area for your | | | | much more. It allows for proprioception as kids push |
| child you should invest in attachments that best meet | | | | with their feet to make the glider move forward and |
| their individual needs. Here is a list of components that | | | | back. The full body extension also helps with postural |
| might benefit your child if they suffer from ADHD, | | | | stability by adding strength at the core. |
| Autism, or a Sensory Integration Disorder. All of the | | | | These are just a few of the great attachments that |
| products listed here are by Theraplay Toys (also | | | | can be used for sensory integration therapy in the |
| known as Play Away). We have found this product to | | | | home. Ironically the product was developed by a Dad |
| be the most convenient, affordable, and sturdy indoor | | | | of a neuro-typical child because they lived in an |
| swing system available. | | | | apartment in a wet weather climate. Basically his kids |
| - Support Bar - a solid support bar is an essential part | | | | were driving him crazy. Then a few parents of Autistic |
| of a good indoor swinging system. This well | | | | children found out about this amazing product and it |
| constructed support bar is designed to fit in any | | | | has helped so many families. One of my dear friends |
| doorway 29-36 inches. If you are placing it in a | | | | has had this hanging in her kitchen doorway for the |
| doorway temporarily or just want the flexibility of | | | | last 5 years. Everyone is the house sits in it from time |
| putting it up and taking it down easily it can be soft | | | | to time but her Autistic daughter uses it daily to self |
| mounted without any screws. With this type of | | | | regulate. It keeps her ticks to a minimum and instead of |
| installation the support bar can hold up to 175 lbs, if you | | | | rocking or picking at her fingers she sits in her net |
| plan on leaving it the doorway for long periods of time | | | | swing. The indoor swing set has given her a tool to |
| or permanently you can hard mount it. The hardware | | | | self regulate in an appropriate way. It makes her feel |
| required to hard mount the support bar is included and | | | | good - not just in the calm physical sense - it makes |
| it will hold up to 300 lbs so parent (or therapist) and | | | | her feel good about herself and increases her self |
| child can ride together. | | | | esteem because she feels more in control of her own |
| - Net Swing - this is one of my personal favorites. This | | | | body. |
| swing envelops your whole body as you swing back | | | | As a mother of a child with sensory issues and a |
| and forth. It not only stimulates the vestibular system it | | | | friend to so many other moms in the same situation I |
| provide ample proprioception (pressure to the joints) so | | | | cannot say enough about having an indoor swing |
| it is calming and comforting for kids who seek that | | | | therapy set. It is an essential part of a well rounded |
| type of pressure. Many kids love to relax in the net | | | | sensory diet and the perfect arsenal in combating |
| swing but it is also a good place for them to read a | | | | sensory integration disorder. |
| book or do homework with clipboard or hard surface | | | | |