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Occupational Therapy
Jody Goudreau
Therapy Balls in the Classroom The use of therapy balls for physical therapy purposes began in the 60’s as a way to strengthen abdominal and back muscles. In the 1980’s, some occupational therapists recommended using them in the classroom for students with special learning needs (i.e. sensory processing disorders, ADHD) or for those students who just really needed to move to enable them to learn. In 2003, the American Journal of Occupational Therapy published a study that concluded students with ADHD displayed improved behavior and legible word productivity while sitting on therapy balls. They were able to focus and write more clearly when allowed to have the movement elicited from sitting on a ball chair. In 2007, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN conducted a study looking at ways to decrease obesity in children while improving learning. The study found similar results as indicated above that children with attention problems focused better when using the therapy balls when compared to their attention using stationary chairs. Additionally, with many schools reducing recess time and/or physical education time, the use of ball chairs was useful in adding back some of the lost physical activity time. The following is an excerpt from an article quoting Diana Henry, an occupational therapist who travels the country providing educational seminars:
“There is a neurological pathway that goes from your body’s balance and movement system to your alert system in your brain. Movement actually allows for alertness and attention. That’s where ball chairs come in. In response to the ball’s instability and in order to remain balanced while sitting on one, the body instinctively – and continually – engages core muscle groups. Constant movement is required in order to stay seated on the ball. And that movement, however slight, helps them focus.”
It is important to note that the balls need to be appropriately sized for each child for maximum benefit. The ball needs to “fit the child” much like a standard classroom chair should “fit the child.” As with standard chairs, a 90-degree bend at the hips, knees, and elbows is recommended when the child is sitting comfortably on the chair. The balls currently in Ginny Moore’s 1st grade class are the appropriate size for the children in her class. Ginny also plans on inviting the kindergarten teachers and the other 1st grade class to borrow them to see the impact they have on their students as well.
