One Leg Therapy Stool Autism

My son has occupational therapy and they have been using a one leg stool to help him with his self regulation. He has high functioning Autism.  It seems to help him with his focus. He used to spend a bunch of time fidgeting while doing homework. Great tool.

Step 1 Materials

1. Thrift store pair of crutches $3 (kid size for this project)

2. 1/2" pipe flanges (2 since I did 2 stools. I figured I would never use the other crutch otherwise)

3. 1/2" pipe threaded both ends (cut in half for 2)

4. #12 wood screws (I bought 1" but should have got 3/4". I had to cut them down) or carriage bolts.

5. #8 self tap sheet metal screws. Or you can drill through and use a nut and bolt.

6. 3/4" birch plywood. This is the nice stuff used for making cabinets. Any piece of sturdy wood would probably work just fine.

Comments

[Londonbrig0]

Do you think this would help with pain from slouching in a normal chair all day? I'm looking for a cheap alternative to those ergonomic kneeling chairs, and I think this has potential.

[couchchangeracing]

Actually yes. This would be similar to the ergo ball type seats. It will force your core to get more strong. It may not be viable for all day use but worth a try.

[JasminGul]

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[Tape-structable]

Interesting and great approach. Good use of the crutch leg.

I'm wondering, does the thought of staying balanced keep you focused? Or is it that you can't put both legs up, or you would fall?

Awesome, but it looks like a hassle to store. Ideally it would go upside down, but with that one leg protruding, its kind of awkward. How are you keeping this when not in use?

[craftyv]

I know from experience that any inconvenience caused by equipment/toys and other items fades into insignificance when the child is "engaging" in some activity. It is vital that the activity is repeated as often as possible, without trying to use the old ploy "It's good for you" any child who needs constant involvement does not and probably never will "get It". Use the leg-stool for any sit down activity. Try another item. Twirling. please try anything and everything. Merry Christmas to you 2011

[couchchangeracing]

All of the above. The balance required not only makes you use your core strength but it puts other parts of your brain in action. An added benefit is if he decides to mess around or not stay focused he tips over.

Storage is the same as his old chair, we just slide it under the desk (upside down of course).

[Darwinfish]

I'm not even autistic and this would help. :-) A little distraction can work wonders for concentration.

Great build!

[couchchangeracing]

Not only that but if you lose that concentration you fall. I like to use a balance ball when I am tired and working on the computer.

[jasybella12]

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[couchchangeracing]

Thanks,
S

[craftyv]

Has anybody tried this yet? I mean of those who commented and liked it before christmas.
NOTE: None of these activities work in isolation so please don't expect an instant improvement. The brain requires a repeat activity in order for any changes to occur and when this is compounded by "other" activities" will have a profound effect. I also recommend that you don't treat it as "therapy" rather as just something that you do in your world (family). May I also recommend something physical such as swimming, jogging, gymnastics, dance, and so on. Not a team sport and most definitaly NOT for competition. Simply movement and activity no matter how limited and/ or short term will have a cumulative effect. I am happy to answer any questions on these matters, so good luck. NOTE: As a private person with a great deal of experience in these matters.

[couchchangeracing]

Thanks for the input.

[JacksonHeliyam]

amazing... its really best for therapy. thanks for your great ideas....

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[couchchangeracing]

Thanks for checking it out.

[JasminGul]

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[sergiocau]

Hi couchchangeracing, i'm a student and i'm doing a work about therapy objects for autism, and your chair is very interesting, can you say me what's it's purpose? it's because it's easier to him to sit?
thank you!

[couchchangeracing]

It is more of a focus tool. Since he needs to keep his balance while sitting it helps focus on homework etc.

[grogg34]

As mentioned a week or so ago I seen your instructable and the next day I found a seniors walker at the Thrift shop for $4 to use for the leg post (can make 4 if I wanted to now). I had heard about these seats a few years ago and googled them at he time. There were also some with rectangle seats. Your post gave us the boost in the butt to make one for our active 7-year-old using your instructable. I found the rubber bottoms at the local hardware store ("rubber leg tips" they were called - came in sets of 4 for about $5). I also upholstered it using a chunk of foam and upholstery fabric and a carpenters staple gun. Son has just started using it in the classroom and we'll see over time what his teacher reports (everyone thinks it is pretty darn cool). Thanks again.

[couchchangeracing]

That is awesome. I hope it works out for him. Thank you for posting the pictures. You took it to the next level with the padding. I may go back and add padding to ours.

[distractable]

Thanks for the instructable! As someone prone to distractions, I think this will be very helpful in my office work. The balance ball was a no go. too much fun to bounce and roll on.

[couchchangeracing]

Yeah, I had the same problem with a ball

[craftyv]

Great stool and your use of a crutch as a stem was a good idea. We too have Aspergers Syndrome in our family and believe me any thing that may help is worth the attempt. For fun and therapy we have used a balance ball which uses the same principal. Called a moon ball here in Australia. Its a about the size of a soccer ball with a flat ring around it that you stand on and balance to keep it stable. Good luck to you and your son.

[Poehls05]

Hi, my son loves this site and I am hear reading over stuff and saw your e-mail. Besides being a mom, I used to be an Occupational Therapist. Has your family ever heard of Reliv Nutrition? It's here in the US plus in about 15 other countries including Australia. The stuff has helped lots and lots of kids do better with all sorts of issues. I have several friends who's kids have Aspergers and its great to see how much better they are doing. Let me know if you'd like to find out more. ([e-mail])

[Mandrew]

A heads up... Reliv is an MLM, and their drones out scamming tell people all kinds of things that are simply not true. "it treats cancer, it cure gout" whatever they think they need to tell you.

It's a vitamin soy beverage from what can tell.

"Claims have been brought against Reliv International by the FDA in 1998, and again in 2001.

The 1998 claims state that some of Reliv Internationals products are indeed drugs, and cannot be legally marketed without an approved new Drug Application, registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In 2001, The FDA once again brought claims against Reliv International stating that their products: "Classic", "SoySentials", "FibRestore", "SoySense", and "Arthaffect" were misbranded, meaning that the labels on these products failed to bear the correct nutritional information and format.

Reliv International definately sounds like it is not exactly on the "up-and-up". If you are someone who is intending to buy Reliv's products, or become a Reliv distributor, Read the onlne Reliv Complaints. My advice to you is- Proceed With Caution."

http://www.corporatenarc.com/reliv-complaints.php

[craftyv]

Mandrew. I agree and may I respectfully suggest that medications, medical treatments, dietry suppliments or other Ingested items should not be recommended on this site because of the high risk of error.

[couchchangeracing]

In our experience we steer away from supplements and snake oil as a general rule. Not to say there is not some good products out there, but we have enough on our plates. We cannot waste time and money, let alone the disappointment when they fail to do what they promise. Or even worse when they have adverse effects.

We should all use the wisdom given to us by our parents: If it sounds too good to be true it, it probably is...

[couchchangeracing]

Thank you, we keep any and all new ideas into consideration. Often they work for a while until the brain becomes acclimated, then it needs another challenge (distraction) to keep him focused. I have seen those moon balls we may need to look at one.

[Bicyclette]

Do you think this stool would aide with simple lack of focus issues?

[couchchangeracing]

Absolutely, if you stop paying attention you fall off.

[Bicyclette]

So if I am doing homework, and using the stool, my focus will increase?

[couchchangeracing]

I think the results will vary with each person. I find it keeps me more alert and on task when I use it.

[grogg34]

Thank you for posting this. I found a seniors walker at the 2nd hand store yesterday and we can use the legs to make these as they are the same style as the ones from the crutch. Yah! Will make one for my 7 year-old hyper son to see if it helps him. Wish us luck.

[couchchangeracing]

Great, let me know how it turns out. Send pictures too.

[tweakinreaper]

why not shorten a curtain rod? twist to adjust size and it is spring loaded for comfort if you would like that feature. this makes it able to grow with him as he will grow up fast

[couchchangeracing]

I forgot to mention, with the crutch parts it is already adjustable to adult size.

[couchchangeracing]

I am not sure if the curtain rod would be strong enough. Also I have never taken one apart but for some reason, I think they have a very long spring in them. You would have to buy some sort of foot to go on it, which is not too big a deal. Lastly, for a child with autism, we are trying to limit the bouncing. A spring would encourage it.

If you do try the curtain rod idea I would love to see it. The more variations on a workable theme the better.

[ourmoneypit]

Wonderful! I have learned a lot from this 'able and the comments, things that would have made it easier for myself throughout school had I known... I am impressed by the way you are meeting the challenges presented by your son's condition. Think I'll make one of these for myself. It'll help with my ADD, and my core strengthening. Both could use help.

[couchchangeracing]

I like it and I am not on the spectrum. I ride mountain bikes it seems to mimic the static balance part of the brain. I think you would like it. Thank you for the comments on my son too. We are very lucky, he is a great kid.

[angryextralarge]

This would be a good option for my standing desk when I need to change things up. Making it tall enough ensures it has the "stooping" ergonomic (or whatever the type of seating they suggest versus traditional seating). On a tile floor, I'd have to make sure the rubber on the bottom stays pliable and grippy. :-)

[couchchangeracing]

I used kids crutch parts and it works for me at a standard desk/table (I am 6'1"). If you used adult crutch parts or just made the pipe interface longer it would work great for your application. I agree on the foot, make sure it has grip.