Flexible Seating IRL

All students, neurotypical or not can do with some good options when it comes to seating.  Offering options to some students is preference in comfort but for others the options are necessary for functioning.  In my setting I have several students who utilize different seating for different reasons.  

In the above photo are two standing desks.  These desks can be raised so a student can stand at them or lowered so that a student can sit at them.  My favorite part is the levered bar on the bottom.  What looks like a foot rest is actually mobile and the tensity can be adjusted for the type of pressure a student would want to put on it.  These desks also blend in to many classrooms better.  There are many variations of standing desks with foot fidgets. Here is a similar version

The above photo shows several things.  First I want to point out the double wide desk.  When students use AAC devices sometimes this requires an additional amount of space.  A regular desk top gets cluttered quickly without a separate device just to have a voice.  These desks provide that extra space and bonus, there are two storage containers so students with some extra reward charts, visuals etc have an extra spot for their extras without limiting their space for typical materials.

MY FAVORITE in this picture is the Safco stool (the black stool to the right in the picture) which you can view by clicking here.  Although not all are shown I have 4 circulating the room.  As an adult I appreciate the ease of moving my seat around the classroom and love the movement it gives me as well.  One of my students who was often an eloper has significantly reduced the elopement behavior after utilizing this type of stool and I truly feel it is because it gives her the continuous movement she seeks and is then less likely to bolt to get her desperately sought for movement.

Next to the black stool is a little rocker chair.  This too allows for movement and the gentle rock can be soothing.  This is different than trying to rock on a blown up ball that may roll, can cause balance challenges etc.  I have had the balls suggested and attempted before and I will hands down choose these seat choices over those any day.  

In use I have one student who consistently utilizes the rocker chair, two students who consistently use the stool and one that transitions between the stool and a stable chair at scheduled times due to concerns over posture with too much time on the stool.  Several staff members and visiting students tend to opt for the Safco stool and it is definitely my favorite as well.

As you design your classroom, program or school consider offering choices for how they are sitting and moving through the day.