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Original poster

Sensory swing and other equipment for indoor use

11 replies

LemonFrosting · 16/08/2022 15:59

Hello all!
Occupational therapist has suggested wheeled board, trampette and also an indoor swing/gym that hangs from the doorway (I explained not enough space in garden for a swing) for asd son.
Can anyone recommend any suitable products please? The gorilla gym gets mixed reviews but I like that it attaches to door from and can be taken down after each use as the house is only small so hardly any storage space.
The wheeled boards on sensory websites look so expensive for what they are, they just look like a piece of plastic with wheels screwed in 😂

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonFrosting · 16/08/2022 20:34

Bump!

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonFrosting · 17/08/2022 08:07

Can anyone help please?!😃

OP posts:
Skiphopbump · 17/08/2022 08:10

Have you got an SEN lending library locally so you can try some items before buying. Also look into buying second hand, specialist equipment is often expensive for what it is.

delilabell · 17/08/2022 08:16

Hi, the wheeled boards are great but I'd look at how controlled dc's movements are so not constantly banging into things!
Have you looked at a peanut ball aswell, they are very good.
I think the gorilla gym sounds best for you with you having a small house.
We have a bilibo which is amazing. We were also recommended the ikea egg chair bit ds spun it so much it broke 😳
If you have a sturdy dining room table you can tie a bedsheets around it so it makes a swing/nest underneath. A bedsheet from the bannister 9f the stairs is also good to swing and pull on.
A sports trampette is fine for bouncing
Hiw old is you'd dc?

Original poster
LemonFrosting · 17/08/2022 08:50

Thank you so much for the replies!! Son is 4. He has a peanut ball which I've found really helps to regulate him.
I was having a nosey at trampettes/rebounder online last night, found a couple of folding ones.
I'd really like some sort of swing but I'm so overwhelmed by choice!
The thing with the gorilla gym I think he'd be a bit scared using the ladder etc. I was explaining to ot that he's scared of heights and she said "that makes sense".

Sadly no lending library near by. I've used Cerebra in the past but they haven't currently got anything similar to borrow. He's borrowed the bouncy lily pad from them but it wasn't that great to be honest, it was a bit too firm so he didn't get much bounce from it.

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonFrosting · 18/08/2022 20:33

Right then I've sorted a trampoline for indoors. Managed to get a folding one as I've hardly any space!

Next is the swing, I've no idea what to go for! Had a look on amazon but I'm overwhelmed with the choice. I also have the problem of only really being able to hang in a door way, if that's possible? Looked at the gorilla gym but he can't sit on a normal swing by himself safely yet. So maybe one of those yoga swing things or a sensory sling I think they're called? Any advice please?! Also how would I fit one? I've got a pull up bar that goes in the doorway, could that be used to attach it to?

OP posts:
hollyivysaurus · 18/08/2022 21:25

Ignore if you're after these for the exercise aspect, but if it's for the sensory, as an alternative to a swing, he might like a hammock if you could fit one in the garden? My DS (awaiting ASD diagnosis) loves swinging on the one have at school and I'm planning to get one.

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 18/08/2022 21:34

Wheeled board - look in B&Q at their wheeled dollies e.g. www.diy.com/departments/diall-dolly-200kg-capacity/1530951_BQ.prd or even a wheeled planter board (that goes under a flower pot), our son had a circular one from Aldi that lasted years!

I always fancied a gorilla gym for our son, but we opted for an outdoor swing instead. If you have a pull-up bar that can take an adult's weight, then I see no reason why you can't hang a sling or swing from that for a young child.

I'm amazed your OT suggested all these but didn't actually provide any of them.

Original poster
LemonFrosting · 18/08/2022 22:23

@hollyivysaurus yes its for sensory reasons thank you! Sadly nowhere to connect a hammock to in the garden and not enough space for a stand. He loves the swing at the playground, happily swing on it without getting off for up to an hour 😳

@JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue you are a genius!!!! I hadn't even thought of a dollie, I'm heading in the direction of a b&q anyway over the weekend so I will nip in and grab one, thank you so much! Half the price of the sensory boards I was going to buy, thank you!

And yes, all well and good the ot recommending all of these resources but my goodness they're expensive!

OP posts:
CurvyKale · 22/08/2024 06:15

I hadn't even thought of a dollie, I'm heading in the direction of a b&q anyway over the weekend so I will nip in and grab one, thank you so much! Half the price of the sensory boards I was going to buy, thank you!
DS also loves scooting around on ours but they have hard wheels and edges and are not so easy to steer. I'd suggest you look at a skateboard first.

If he can't sit on a swing reliably by himself, is he going to need constant supervision on whatever you get at home? So he doesn't fall/get tangled up? Because if he does, and he can also always see it and always wants to use it, it's likely to lead to lots of tantrums and stress for you. It might be easier to dedicate a certain amount of time a week to going to the park.
What about a basket swing - I'm sure ikea did one when my DS was small, or a hanging chair?

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