Home Current Sweepstakes Creating A Comfortable Space For Kids With Special Needs

Creating A Comfortable Space For Kids With Special Needs

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My son Henry has autism, and I am constantly looking for a comfortable space for kids with special needs.  Autism is a complex disorder that like many others whose symptoms are as unique as the individual who houses them. These kids are constantly bombarded by things in their surroundings that you or I would not even notice.  Every sound, texture, color, taste and shape is amplified and they make these kids very uncomfortable in their environment.  With this coupled with their inability to articulate what they are feeling, they get very frustrated and may act out with aggressive behavior.  In order to make a place where these kids can be at their very best, adjustments need to be taken to do so.  Here are some great ideas for creating such a space.  Remember, this space will be great for kids with sensory issues as well as kids who just need a quiet place to hang out after a busy day.

Creating A Comfortable Space

  •  Walls: Stand in each room and do a 360.  What colors are the walls?  What is hanging on the walls? Is there wallpaper and if so, what is the design?  These questions matter very much to a child with sensory issues.  If you have a brightly colored floral wall paper in the kitchen and you think back and realize your child acting out when in that space, it may be the overwhelming pattern on the walls.  Do you have difficulty with your child eating their meals?  If the dining room walls are that awesome red you had always wanted, may be too distracting for your child to eat.
  • Sight and Sounds: Keeping in mind that sounds to us are amplified 100 times over for kids with sensory issues. We had a small grocery store we would shop at 2-3 times a week and each time we went, Henry would get agitated the moment we walked in the door until the moment we left.  We began going shopping solo while the other stayed home with Henry.  Come to find out he was overwhelmed with the electric bug zapper that was outside the back door.  Take your child with you and ask them if there are any noises or lights that are bothering them.  We found the new energy efficient bulbs everyone is using are much better for Henry’s needs.

  • Furniture: We have learned over the years to get Henry’s input when we buy things for the house.  If we were looking for a new kitchen table and chairs, we would get Henry to sit in the chairs and let us know how they felt. When we were shopping for new beds for the kids we drove this poor salesman crazy because Henry quite literally tried out every stinking bed in the store!   Believe it or not, one of the pieces of furniture we have in our house is our bean bag from Sumo Lounge.  Sumo Lounge is one of the premiere companies in the industry and when you own one of their products, you will know immediately why that is.

Bean Bag Chairs For Kids With Autism

Until I owned one, I would never have thought bean bag chairs for kids with autism would be such a benefit.  When Andrew from Sumo Lounge asked if I would be interested in trying out one of their grandest bean bags; The Sumo Sultan with the Ultimate Fur cover ($399.00).  We already have the awesome Omni from Sumo Lounge and it was such a big hit with Henry.  Due to its large size, Henry nicknamed it “The Girth”.  When the package with the Sultan arrived the kids could not wait to open it.  It was a bit like a magic trick because as soon as you open the plastic covering, the Sultan plumps up to about 3 times its size!  As soon as we got the luxurious fur covering on it the kids both jumped on it together and they were in heaven.  The Sultan boasts a size that measures 54” x 54” x 42”, has a removable cover, which depending on the choice between micro suede, corduroy or the fur, you can choose from several great colors.  To put the size of the Sultan in perspective for you, Henry’s bedroom is 8×10 and the Sultan takes up half of his room!! All the bean bags from Sumo Lounge are made right here in the USA, are made from 100% polyester fiber and will never go flat on you like the competition.

What I was not prepared for was the effect the Sultan had on my sweet Henry.  We put the Sultan, which is now called the “Gigantic Furry Chicken Nugget” (don’t ask!!) in the playroom, where we have the Xbox.  I walked in and Henry was in the middle of the Nugget and he had the most serene look on his face I had ever seen.  With kids who have sensory needs, they love to be enveloped in things to make them feel safe and grounded.  This is why Henry will make a huge pile of pillows and blankets and then jump in the middle.  He loves knowing he is surrounded by softness and safety.  When I asked him why he liked the Nugget so much, he turned to me with those beautiful and innocent brown eyes and said “Because when I lay in the Nugget, I get a hug full of furry love”.  I love working with the folks over at Sumo Lounge because they are so professional and yet so caring.  Each time I have worked with Andrew, he makes me feel as if I am the only customer in the world!  He is very in tune with what would be a good fit for your family and there are so many choices that you are sure to find the perfect bean bag for your family.  You can also find ottomans, additional covers, a 100% guarantee and free shipping on every order.  Whether it be for your family or for a gift for that special person on your list, you can rest easy knowing the staff over at Sumo Lounge have you covered…and with the huge Nugget we have…they really do have you covered…in fur!!

One reader will win one Sumo Lounge Sultan in their choice of covering

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655 COMMENTS

  30. I also have a son on the Autistic Spectrum. He’s 9 and having the best year at school ever! Academically he’s doing exceptionally well. However, his tone, coordination, endurance, and strength issues haven’t improved at all. He still rates at about 3-4 years on most. Great article, great info, great giveaway!!

    I think the microsuede looks gorgeous, but my boy loves the Ultimate Fur. He says he likes fuzzy stuff.

    Thanks!

  31. I would love the UltimateFur, but I couldn’t find any info on the site as to whether it is machine-washable; it would have to be with my kids! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! This thing looks amazingly comfy.

  41. corduroy
    they all look so wonderful my oldest would benfit greatly from this and he might not break it unlike most of my furniture from all the rocking he does

  43. Any type of velvety fabric my oldest has autism as well and this would be wonderful thank you for a chance.

  71. I woud love to have the sumo gigantor in ultimate fur in black. I am currently getting my degree to work with autistic individuals and this would be great to have in my practice.

  108. The suede one looks nice but I think the furry one would feel so much nicer. I could only see the titan in suede and corduroy on the site.

  144. My favorite is the SUMO SULTAN ULTIMATE FUR in Pitch Black….but my second favorite is the micro suede in Funky Brown. 🙂 Thank you.

  164. I would love to have the microsuede bag because of it’s ease in cleaning and feel!
    It would look great in the house and would be absolutely comfortable for my family!

  200. I’m loving the red Sumo Sultan Big Bean Bag Chair Rocks in the all new UltimateFur.

  201. I’m loving the red Sumo Sultan Big Bean Bag Chair Rocks in the all new UltimateFur.

  222. The ultimate fur seems very comfortable. Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂

    Renee
    fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com

  231. I dont know but the fuzzy one looks great!!!! OMG i would be THRILLED to have this. my daughter Charlotte is also autistic and needs comfort.. she gets sensory overloaded very easily. winning this would really soothe her.

  249. I would love the ultimate fur one the best. I think it would be so soft and warm 🙂 I would really love to win this one 🙂

  267. SUMO SULTAN CORDUROY in black. I think I’d like the furry better but I have dogs and I but it would be a pain to get the dog hair out of it.

  346. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  347. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  348. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  349. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  350. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  351. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  352. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  353. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  354. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  355. That tough because I like all 3 choices but I would go with corduroy. I think it would hold up the best and the look is nice.

  356. That microsuede would probably be my first choice… although that ultimate fur covering looks very inviting, too! Tough decision!

  376. I love the look of the Ultimate-Fur, but the practicality of the Microsuede. Tough Decision, but probably the Ultimate-Fur!

  398. It’s hard to choose a fabric! The ultimate fur one is tempting, but that kind of fabric tends to go from super-lush to matted fairly quickly, and is hard to clean well. The microsuede still has a soft texture, but is by far the easiest to maintain. The cord makes for a happy medium in texture in maintenance, although of the three kinds of fabric, it tends to wear through the fastest. I would probably end up choosing the microsuede, although I’d keep second-guessing myself, ever after.

  452. I like the ultimate fur material. I bought a thick mink blanket with one side like this fur in Korea (while stationed there). I absolutely love it! I’ve had it since 1994. It’s so heavy to lift but cuddly and warm at night. 🙂

  474. Gee, I am not sure which fabric I like best – I like them all equally. Since I have to pick one, I am going to go for the microsuede.

  490. I prefer the microsuede as I would be using it for my special needs daughter and I think it would be the softest one for her .

  518. I like the microsuede! We are very messy around here and this would be great!

    (also I have a couple emails and one is cindyloumageesweeps at gmail dot com where I get the newsletter)