My 9yo dd has learning differences, above average IQ along with ADHD. She attends a special needs school and is in 3rd grade. The teacher suggested a few months ago that dd may benefit from sitting on an exercise ball at her desk instead of a regular classroom chair. It has really helped her. Things have really come together for her and she is working up to her potential. There have been some concerns raised by the OT/PT people at her school that she needs to have an SI eval done and that exercise balls should require an RX for their use. Also, the ball should have limited time use. I’m curious if anyone else uses one and if you were required to have an RX for its use. Who did you get to write the rx? Is there a schedule or time limit on its use? Thanks!!!
exercise balls
Hi—this may be more for Lin. I am a special ed teacher in a private school, but I think these might be great for many of the kids I see. Is there a website or some published information on the value of these that I could present to my principal? Thanks in advance.
Re: Does anyone else use an exercise ball in the classroom?
Can one of you please give me some more information on this? My daughter was diagnosed last June by the school phsycologist and in Jan by her pediatritian. I am lucky enough to have finally found a school who will listen to me and teachers who are willing to help us in any way they can.
Would one child using an exesice ball be deemed “unfair” by other childern? What are the benefits?
I have one at home and she loves to play with it. If her teacher would allow it I would be willing to give it up for her.
TIA!
Does anyone else use an exercise ball in the classroom?
My son with ADHD was suggested an exercise ball to sit on in class and did very well with it, it helped a lot to keep him from fidgeting.
I am both a school-based OT and a mother of a 9 year old girl with ADHD. She does not use a ball herself but I have recommended them for students I work with. I try to cover the use of such adaptaions/accomodations in the general prescription I send out each year for the child. I do not set a time limit on the use of the ball as I find most kids regulate the time they use it quite well on their own. I find that most children will use them during periods of “heavy academics” but that they do not need them for specials or less structured time. I do sit down with the student and the classroom staff and go over some “ground rules” for safe and effective use. I have only recommended these for students that I am directly servicing and can monitor.