Re: question on sitting in class

January 24, 2006

One thing that has helped for me in the past, as a teacher, is to put the kiddos

on a therapy ball to sit. I know, most teachers aren't open to this. The next

step is one of those, not sure what you call them, they are usually used for

teaching balance. You put it under their feet when they sit and it allows them

to move their feet constantly with feedback. Sorry, I can't remember the name

of the thing, but Will has one that is purple. Basically look for a fidget

outlet. something that will alow him to move a part of his body while sitting.

This often works. SOmeone here may have a better suggestion, but I've used this

and it works.

SHerry

Ratliffp@... wrote:

Hi, This question is for anyone that may have some experience in this area.

My son, Nicolas 4.10mths will be going to Kindergarten in the fall. He has

been dx w/PDD/NOS and apraxia. One area the prek4 teacher states he needs

help is sitting in his chair for longer periods of time. When he starts school,

he will have to sit longer than he does now possibly for an hour or longer.

I visited a reg ed classroom for kindergarten and all the kids were sitting

and working, etc. If he is mainstreamed which she stated he may we'll know

in March, his hand witting and sitting still in a chair could be a problem.

Any suggestions on what I can do with him at home??? Thanks in advance for

your help. Phyllis & Nicolas

January 24, 2006

I don't know if this will help or not, but my daughter who is also 4,

has a hard time sitting still as well (unless she's on the floor).

Anyway - her private SLP uses a cushion on her chair there - it is full

of water, or air and it's sort of bouncy - like a whoopie cushion (sans

the noise!). I don't know why it works, but it does. Luckily we have

one more year before Kindergarten - I hadn't even thought of that

issue - thanks for the early warning!

Kim

January 24, 2006

Another suggestion - a wedgie seat or a nubby disc. OK, what are those? The

wedgie seat is an inflatable wedge with a nubby texture on the side where the

kid sits - it provides sensory input while the kid is sitting, helps focus, etc.

The nubby disc is the same type of thing only not inflatable. I picked up the

nubby discs at a garage sale - the seller had purchased them at IKEA for pretty

cheap - I got 3 of them for $1.50! I use one at the dinner table (where we do a

lot of school work and, of course, eat!), I left one at my mom's house, and the

other went to school. The wedgie seat is what Josh's OT and teacher used for

him in class before we went to the disc. Worked wonders (but I really like the

therapy ball idea as well!).

Sherry

Sherry <sherrymilner@...> wrote:

One thing that has helped for me in the past, as a teacher, is to put the

kiddos on a therapy ball to sit. I know, most teachers aren't open to this.

The next step is one of those, not sure what you call them, they are usually

used for teaching balance. You put it under their feet when they sit and it

allows them to move their feet constantly with feedback. Sorry, I can't

remember the name of the thing, but Will has one that is purple. Basically look

for a fidget outlet. something that will alow him to move a part of his body

while sitting. This often works. SOmeone here may have a better suggestion,

but I've used this and it works.