Deep pressure therapy is one of the best therapies for helping autistic children. Deep pressure therapy involves putting pressure on the child’s body in order to stimulate the nervous system and to promote a calm feeling. The common beanbag fills the need for both nervous stimulation and a calming method which provides the sensory input autistic children need.

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Because the beanbag chair is light, the child can easily move it from place to place to accommodate his/her comfort zone. As the child settles into the beanbag chair, the shredded/pelleted polystyrene conforms to the body creating an even pressure over all of the autistic child’s body. The foam/pellets are soft which gives the child the feeling of safety. Indeed, the foam/pellets are physically safe for the child. Cuddling in the beanbag chair is a means of producing a “safe” haven where the child feels protected and secure.

Not only does the beanbag chair promote stimulus to the body and security to the mind, but it also acts as a place to release any violent tensions that the child may experience. The beanbag chair will endure the violent child. Jumping repetitiously on it, hitting it, or flopping on it will not dent the chair. It’s built to take the punishment! It can even be thrown without suffering any ill effects! When the child lapses into an uncontrollable state or the environment becomes threating to him/her, the beanbag chair becomes the perfect place to be. It is a safe, controlled environment. The added benefit is the deep pressure therapy that the chair gives at the same time.

The beanbag chair was the first chair to move with a person in it. It was produced as a fad chair during the ’70’s and took its place in fad culture with the mirrored disco ball and flared bell-bottoms pants. The beanbag chair was a part of the “flower-power” culture that was such a successful item that it remains in our culture today. But not until some very observant person, probably the parent of an autistic child, realized the power of the chair for the autistic child did it become a useful tool for that child.

In July, 1998, beanbag chairs received a welcome change. The cover became removable and washable. Not only were these improvements made but water-repellent liners were added. Now the parent can easily throw the liners in the washing machine and know that she is providing a physically safe environment for the child with no germs allowed!

The beanbag chair may have been an icon for the “pop” culture, but today it serves as a deep pressure therapy stimulant as well as promoting calm feelings for the autistic child.