An indoor swing for my Autistic DGS
06-09-2010, 08:49 AM
#1
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My grandson Zachary has Autism. He is 9 yrs old He is a high functioning autistic and has a high IQ. But Autism means in the Drs words his brain is wired differantly than ours. He has challenges and daily struggles to live in a world that he doesn't always understand.
One thing autistics struggle with is the need for sensory input in their day. We all have this need but our daily needs are so much lower than Zachs. We meet our brains need for this with our daily activities. But Zack requires much more to be able to function. It isn't a want it is a need as surely as he needs to eat.
So we look for ways to fill this need. One way is to provide a swing. We have an outdoor one that is made of tire material and looks like a horse.
Then we screwed a strong hook in the ceiling and rigged a rope to attach a homemade sling swing. But the hook wore out. So Sara(DD) bought a swing frame that we can take down or put up as needed. She uses it at home outside and hooked a tire swing to it. Then she takes it down and brings it here and I attached Zach's sling swing to it.
He spends many hours in it and it creates that sensation that he needs. He is less confrontational and it gives him something to do. He has a hard time controlling his emotions and this soothes that tendency to flare at the smallest irritation. He has a low frustration level!
The material we made the sling swing out of is silky on one side and rough on one side so he gets both textures depending on how he turns the fabric in or out.
One thing autistics struggle with is the need for sensory input in their day. We all have this need but our daily needs are so much lower than Zachs. We meet our brains need for this with our daily activities. But Zack requires much more to be able to function. It isn't a want it is a need as surely as he needs to eat.
So we look for ways to fill this need. One way is to provide a swing. We have an outdoor one that is made of tire material and looks like a horse.
Then we screwed a strong hook in the ceiling and rigged a rope to attach a homemade sling swing. But the hook wore out. So Sara(DD) bought a swing frame that we can take down or put up as needed. She uses it at home outside and hooked a tire swing to it. Then she takes it down and brings it here and I attached Zach's sling swing to it.
He spends many hours in it and it creates that sensation that he needs. He is less confrontational and it gives him something to do. He has a hard time controlling his emotions and this soothes that tendency to flare at the smallest irritation. He has a low frustration level!
The material we made the sling swing out of is silky on one side and rough on one side so he gets both textures depending on how he turns the fabric in or out.
He sits in it and watches TV
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He pulls it up around him and hides inside. This is another sensory need he is always finding small places to feel enclosed in.
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Zachary being silly for the camera!
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06-09-2010, 08:57 AM
#4
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Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
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In 2000 I was hired to care for autistic children in a group home. We did hands on activities and provided care 24/7.
I am so thankful that you brought up this thread and even more thankful that you have the swing for your DGS. I can just hear the delight and laughter in my memory bank from being with these children. Bless you.....
I am so thankful that you brought up this thread and even more thankful that you have the swing for your DGS. I can just hear the delight and laughter in my memory bank from being with these children. Bless you.....
06-09-2010, 08:57 AM
#5
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Most people think I'm weird if I mention we have a swing in our living room!! LOL
I saw a porch swing mounted in a living room in a magazine a long time ago and always wanted to do that!! This one is not up all the time. When he no longer needs it I would love to put up a porch swing in place of a chair or one of my two couches. Someday maybe.
I saw a porch swing mounted in a living room in a magazine a long time ago and always wanted to do that!! This one is not up all the time. When he no longer needs it I would love to put up a porch swing in place of a chair or one of my two couches. Someday maybe.
06-09-2010, 10:00 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by kay carlson
In 2000 I was hired to care for autistic children in a group home. We did hands on activities and provided care 24/7.
I am so thankful that you brought up this thread and even more thankful that you have the swing for your DGS. I can just hear the delight and laughter in my memory bank from being with these children. Bless you.....
I am so thankful that you brought up this thread and even more thankful that you have the swing for your DGS. I can just hear the delight and laughter in my memory bank from being with these children. Bless you.....
I love to see his ear to ear grin and his laughter is infectious. He has quite a sense of humor. When Sara asks him if he loves her he says 5 days he loves her 5 days worth! LOL so the other day I asked what happens after 5 days and he says 5 more days!! LOL Then I asked him if he loves his Grandma Rhonda and he says I already loved you!! LOL The way his mind works is so funny!!
06-09-2010, 10:03 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by Jim's Gem
What a great idea!! He is a handsome young man!!!
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