Special Needs Outdoor Hammock Bed

The Floating Bed ® provides a "Safe Zone" for children with sensory processing disorders. Over 75% of special needs children and adults have sleep problems which contribute to continuing overall health issues.  

It is also safe & environmentally friendly, made of non-toxic materials. Optional perimeter crib-like net for rambunctious kids.

Our country is experiencing an epidemic rise in children with Autism, and other developmental disorders.  Studies show that the sooner treatment begins, the better the chances for improvement. Delaying treatment results in even greater financial distress for families, and states providing services.  Early Intervention is key to many more successful outcomes!

The Omni-Pendulum or “floating” motion is unique because it is the only motion that is calming to the Vestibular System, while stimulating the processing and learning centers. Other types of motion are often over-stimulating and cause anxiety, while Vestibular Motion Therapy is relaxing (click to see what an expert therapist has to say).  This has been known for centuries, and used for a variety of conditions.

A Floating Bed is beneficial for a special needs person, because they experience increased visual, auditory, & tactile sensory input, and relaxation at the same time, due to the gentle motion. (See the Health Benefits pdf, and the Youth Bed page, for more explanation.)  This rare and highly useful combination helps the special needs child or adult connect with the outer world, allowing them to come out of their world, making them more socially aware of their surroundings.   In this engaged, more peaceful state, they are able to concentrate more easily, & learn more efficiently.  Children can become better listeners and interact more fully with their parents, teachers and therapists.  Teaching special needs children becomes easier and more effective using the Floating Bed, as most of these children feel more secure and safe in it. Adding the netting or "tent" around the bed can create an even calmer, more serene environment.

Connecting with others, Having a safe space

The Floating Bed is large enough, and strong enough, that Parents, Teachers, and Therapists can actually sit with the child on the Bed and conduct therapy sessions in it.  Moving gently together creates a shared experience, one that fosters closeness and an emotional bonding that is very real.  It helps the child feel connected and stable. This type of connection does not happen in chairs, on a sofa or bed, etc. A therapist can work with a child this way without crossing any professional boundaries, if that is an issue. Other siblings can enjoy it too! 

"Crashers" or children with sensory issues can still jump, bounce and even have a meltdown in a safe, soft, comfortable environment.  With the optional tent, or the surround netting,  you can create the closed-in space necessary for these children to feel as though they can escape the anxiety and pressures, and be in the safety net provided by their individualized “home."

Makes learning fun

Looking at it another way, what do most people want? To have fun! - while maintaining a degree of safety. Which child is going to be engaged, pay attention and learn faster; a happy child, or an unhappy one?  A child who has the tools & support to learn will be happier, safer and more socially aware, resulting in a happier more stable life than a child whom is allowed to "stay in their own world,” never making social gains.  A Floating Bed, although therapeutic in nature, is one of the most fun and responsible gifts you can give your child.  It can allow them to feel more like normal functioning individuals who benefit from longer sleep patterns.   It can make therapy for special needs children more enjoyable and less stressful on the entire family

The Importance of Proper Sleep for Special Needs 

Last but not least, a Floating Bed provides better sleep than any other Bed. The rise in autism has happened during the same years that sleep disorders have become epidemic in children. Most authors think that the sleep disorder comes from autism. However, sometimes the reverse may be true;  sleep disorder may cause autism. Given back enough time in deep sleep and the necessary raw materials, the brain can make up for the deep sleep that it missed, to develop better social skills even into the teens and early 20’s. Most parents are reporting that their special needs children are sleeping twice as long per stretch in their Floating Beds, compared to their prior beds. This is a miracle for them. 

See more information on this topic on the Youth Bed page.