Dynamic Seating vs. Traditional Seating to Address Inattention to Task in the ClassroomBrittany Stull, OTS

Prevalence of Attention Disorders•1/20 children in

the United States •5.9% worldwide•One of the most

commonly diagnosed disorders of childhood

(Kercood & Banda, 2012)

Focused Question

•In school-aged children with attention deficits, what is the effect of dynamic seating compared with traditional chairs on increased classroom performance?

Dynamic Seating Options• Therapy ball • Therapy cushions

▫ Disc ‘O’ Sit

Research demonstrates use of stability balls/cushions instead of traditional classroom results in:

• Increased students’ focus (Fedewa & Erwin, 2011)

•Enhanced attention (Fedewa & Erwin, 2011; Pfeiffer, Henry, Miller, & Witherell, 2008; Schilling & Schwartz, 2004)

•Engagement to task (Schilling & Schwartz, 2004)

•Maintained arousal (Schilling & Schwartz, 2004; Pfeiffer, Henry, Miller, & Witherell, 2008)

•Adapted environment to meet the children’s needs (Schilling, Washington, Billingsley, & Deitz, 2003)

•Functional classroom behavior (Umeda & Deitz, 2011)

• Improved academic achievement (Fedewa & Erwin, 2011,)

It’s All About the Movement!•Students showed increase in academic

performance with improved in-seat and on-task behaviors.

•Movement while sitting may provide consistent input without the frequent need to get out of one’s seat.

•Teachers and students preferred use of therapy balls or therapy cushions versus the use of the traditional classroom chair.

(Pfeiffer, Henry, Miller, & Witherell, 2008)

Sensory Implications

•“Sensory processing strategies are designed to provide children with the sensory input needed to… respond more effectively to environmental challenges and thus participate in everyday occupations.” (Bagatell, Mirigliani, Pattersion, Reyes, & Test, 2010)

•“The proprioceptive and vestibular (movement) input provided through dynamic seating may help to increase the arousal states necessary to attend to relevant tasks.” (Pfeiffer, Henry, Miller, & Witherell, 2008)

Clinical Application

Clinical Take Away• Dynamic seating options can improve academic

performance by increasing the duration of on-task, in-seat behaviors for students with inattention and hyperactivity concerns.

• Provides children with the sensory stimuli needed to maintain arousal, attend to task, and improve learning.

• May be more appropriate for children who seek vestibular-proprioceptive input.

Any Questions?

Reference• Bagatell, N., Mirigliani, G., Patterson, C., Reyes, Y., & Test, L. (2010). Effectiveness of therapy ball chairs on

classroom participation in children with autism spectrum disorders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 895–903. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2010.09149

• Fedewa, A. L., & Erwin, H. E. (2011). Stability balls and students with attention and hyperactivity concerns: Implications for ontask and in-seat behavior. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 393–399. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.000554

• Kercood, S., & Banda, D.R. (2012). The effects of added physical activity on performance during a listening comprehension task for students with and without attention problems. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 13, 19-32. Retrieved from: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=15&sid=1142090d-a4d2-4f51-a9d6-d113f8ea2cb2%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=77851825

• Pfeiffer, B., Henry, A., Miller, S., & Witherell, S. (2008). The effectiveness of Disc ‘O’ Sit cushions on attention to task in second-grade students with attention difficulties. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 274–281. doi: 10.5014/ajot.62.3.274

• Schilling, D., & Schwartz, I.S. (2004). Alternative seating for young children with autism spectrum disorder: Effect on classroom behavior. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 34, 423-432. doi: 10.1023/B:JADD.0000037418.48587.f4

• Schilling, D. L., Washington, K., Billingsley, F. F., & Deitz, J. (2003). Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Therapy balls versus chairs. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 534–541.

• Umeda, C., & Deitz, J. (2011). Effects of therapy cushions on classroom behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 152–159. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.000760