chair alternatives

[lulubelle]

Anyone have their kids using a stability ball or balance stool to sit for good posture or fidget reasons?  Are you happy with it?  What is it?

 

Ds13 has poor posture and fidget issues. ( Asperger's, ADD, developmental coordination disorder)

[Laura Corin]

Calvin used a ball for a short time - he is dyspraxic and was having a hard time with fidgeting and concentrating.  In the end, the ball was just too wobbly for him - we used a specialised inflatable cushion on his chair instead, similar to this:

 

http://www.physioroom.com/product/Gymnic_Disc_39_o_39_Sit_Wobble_Cushion/2029/38382.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwu6a5BRC53sW0w9677RcSJABoFn4sOtkWeY--zt09eBtHN424T062_d3n6CJ2FSKWSU9WIxoC2X_w_wcB

[PeterPan]

For us the ball was just distracting.  :(

 

Our SLP uses seat cushions, like Laura is talking about.  Something like this  Air Stability Wobble Cushion, Blue, 35cm/14in Diameter, Balance Disc, Pump Included

[Heathermomster]

DS has used a yoga ball and balance chair at different times, but we didn't find them helpful.  For posture and sitting still, DS worked with a ped PT twice per week for a couple of months to help with his static/dynamic balance, coordination, a retained reflex, and posture.  The PT identified DS as DCD.  The heavy workouts and coordination exercises were extremely helpful, and son's posture issues have been remedied.  

 

ETA:  Sitting at the kitchen counter on a bar stool and standing at the counter worked better than the balance chair and yoga ball.

Edited May 10, 2016 by Heathermomster

[Targhee]

We have used a rocking chair, yoga ball, inflatable balance cushion for chair, standing, and just NOT working at a desk for DC with fidgit needs. My oldest has poor posture, and a good poke in the back is the only external cue that has had effect :-/ But core muscles strength training is often more important (and successful) to improving posture.

[PeterPan]

Fwiw, the thing that helped my dd with core was horse riding.  Sort of a different way to get there.  :)

[Cake and Pi]

We have a Kore Wobble Chair and it works well for one of my other kids, but my SPD (sensory modulation disorder + postural disorder) kid falls off of it often.  He's doing well with Bouncy Bands on the legs of a regular, kid-sized chair.

[Timberly]

Around our dining room are two Weight Watchers yoga balls sets  that we purchased from Costco Warehouse.  They came with a donut that is stationed on the floor to prevents the ball from rolling away while I'm sitting at the dining room/school room table.  I also use the yoga ball in bed so I can to elevate my rheumatoid feet for pain relief.  aaaahhhhh  

 

DS13 and DS11 like sitting on the yoga balls and on wobbly cushions that go on our kitchen counter barstools.  We have theraputty, and large bins of figits that are used during the difficult portion of their school day.  I sit on a yoga ball each time I am at the dining room table - it's much easier on my spine and neck than a normal chair would be. I also let DS11 and DS13 use my Elaine Petrone Miracle Balls.  Yesterday I got a roller and massager that we all love.  I'm sure we could all use more PT but after 5 months we're just doing our own funky chicken way with yoga balls, wiggly chair cushions, competitive sports 7 days a week, swimming and fun gym play groups. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ww-Belly-Thighs-Weight-Watchers/dp/B007N60G5I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[Timberly]

Around our dining room are two Weight Watchers yoga balls sets  that we purchased from Costco Warehouse.  They came with a donut that is stationed on the floor to prevents the ball from rolling away while I'm sitting at the dining room/school room table.  I also use the yoga ball in bed so I can to elevate my rheumatoid feet for pain relief.  aaaahhhhh  

 

DS13 and DS11 like sitting on the yoga balls and on wobbly cushions that go on our kitchen counter barstools.  We have theraputty, and large bins of figits that are used during the difficult portion of their school day.  I sit on a yoga ball each time I am at the dining room table - it's much easier on my spine and neck than a normal chair would be. I also let DS11 and DS13 use my Elaine Petrone Miracle Balls.  Yesterday I got a roller and massager that we all love.  I'm sure we could all use more PT but after 5 months we're just doing our own funky chicken way with yoga balls, wiggly chair cushions, competitive sports 7 days a week, swimming and fun gym play groups. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ww-Belly-Thighs-Weight-Watchers/dp/B007N60G5I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[Jenn in CA]

The ball at the table hasn't worked for us because my kids are too short. What has worked though is they bounce those darn balls up and down the halls and thru the house, all day long, riding them like the old hippity hops (but without the handle). It's quite a sight. The PT observed that when dd bounced on the ball, her spine was perfectly lined up.

[frogger]

I bought an adjustable table from Costco to get the correct height so my boys could sit on a ball. It kept them from complaining about tired sore legs and was cheaper than an office chair. One son does ok with it and one son bounces incessantly but can work longer by doing so. We just hop off and move it to the side for anything that involves handwriting and he kneels. This wouldn't work if he wrote long but 5 words is his max right now.