Past projects 2
Specialized Chairs for Classroom Success!
Funded Nov 6, 2024These specialized chairs, generously donated by all of you, were put to use right away in our school! I began using them in my occupational therapy sessions to help my students learn how to use them correctly and safely, while allowing them to get the maximum sensory input possible. Without these chairs, my young students demonstrated difficulty sitting and participating in group activities because the chairs in their classrooms did not allow for their feet to touch the floor-a very important physical cue for spatial awareness and grounding! But now, with these chairs, they can participate fully; sitting comfortably on the classroom rug, while receiving all the input their bodies crave for learning!
Many of my young students have Autism and are non-verbal. The smiles that appear on their faces when these chairs are brought out for their use are priceless! They immediately drop whatever they are doing and go snuggle right into these chairs, which allow them an appropriate amount of movement to activate their sensory systems in the way that each of them needs. Additionally, these chairs allowed me to meet several of my students where they were in their sensory journey and served as the perfect steppingstone to therapeutic intervention for gravitational insecurity (an intense fear of movement with loss of balance or change in position). These students are often very fearful to leave their feet, shift their balance, and are terrified of falling or jumping; you can imagine the difficulty one would experience at school with these fears!
One student I work with was so terrified of her feet leaving the ground or experiencing a change in head position that she refused to interact with any of the toys or equipment in my room; even though it was clear that she wanted to. At first, I turned one of these specialized chairs over and allowed her to climb over it under her own volition. Next, once she felt comfortable with that, I turned it right side up and watched to see how she decided to use it. She rocked the chair without anything in it; she put toys in the chair and rocked it while she watched; then suddenly, she turned it horizontally and sat in the chair in a way that didn't allow it to rock-and she LOVED it! It became a chair she felt comfortable sitting in to complete many fine motor activities. Then, after a couple weeks, she sat in the chair the correct way but would not rock the chair. After a couple of more weeks, I placed the chair on a less stable surface (a thick mat) and she was able to sit in the chair, remaining there as it shifted slightly under her weight. Finally, this past week, when the chairs were presented to her classroom, this student was observed to immediately crawl into the chair and rock her body back and forth! It was a very exciting moment, and one that has given her neural pathways the chance to develop in a way that will continue increasing her confidence for slightly more challenging tasks; something so significant in a school setting!
For other students, this chair has allowed them the perfect amount of sensory input on all sides of their body as well as a safe rocking motion that activates their vestibular system so that they can attend to an activity for an extended period. As I worked on using these chairs safely in therapy, the students became more and more adjusted to them and preferred sitting in these chairs over any others offered. Now that these chairs have been introduced into their classrooms, they have become the preferred chairs in that setting as well.
The students were naturally curious when they first saw these materials in my therapy room, but now that they are familiar and they enjoy using them, their excitement was palpable when I brought them into their classrooms! The smiles, the immediate use, the group gathering, and the verbalizations showed very clearly that the right equipment makes a huge difference in a classroom!
Our next step goals, coming back from mid-winter break, are to use the chairs for circle time in collaboration with occupational therapy and classroom staff, to encourage and teach developmental sensory based movement and introduce goal directed activities aimed at increasing each student's sensory regulation, postural stability, balance, sense of security/safety, and attention. Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for a wonderful opportunity to provide the best education possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jamie
Help Us Swing Into the New School Year!
Funded Dec 31, 2024Thank you all for being a part of a wonderful team of people who helped make our therapy dreams a reality! We appreciate your help in creating the ultimate therapy space for our kiddos! This swing will ensure that every child has the opportunity to increase their skills in all areas of development and academics. We are blessed and humbled by your support and dedication to our school and our students. What a wonderful way to begin 2025!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jamie
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 20 other donors.