Strong bed needed for Autistic son

Fatmum

I have a 15 year old Autistic son, who is very heavy and clumsy, he has

been breaking his beds every year up to now, But has broken his

third bed this year alone, he tends to throw himself onto to the mattress

and at 14 stone this is not good.

We have tried repairing them making them extra chunky, but to no avail.

the beds have been divans, a metal bed and a very chunky pine.

If anyone has any ideas for us, that would be great, otherwise its a

mattress on the floor.

Fatmum

Js_Other_Half

A number of years ago I know a residential unit had to get a bedstead and mattress from the same supplier as police stations beds - it was the only bed the autistic teenager couldn't destroy.

It might be worthwhile asking your local police station where they get theirs from?

Counting_Pennies_2

We have a posturepaedic divan and it is fantastic. It is very firm, I have a heavy husband and not a dent has been made in the mattress over the last 6 years.

I would say go for a firm mattress which should then give support to the lower part of the bed and fingers crossed have more chance of it surviving.

Savvy_Sue

Possibly daft question, but do you know WHY he throws himself at the bed? If it's to get a bounce, then the very firm mattress might help because it would be 'unrewarding', IYSWIM. He's not autistic, but I asked DS3 not to 'launch' himself at our new settees, and he said no, he wouldn't, because they were too firm! So he'd obviously tried it once ...

And have you asked on any autistic chat forums: it's not a problem I've had myself but I know my friend has had similar problems with a much younger girl, so it's obviously not an uncommon problem.

Remember if you end up with a mattress on the floor it will need regular lifting to air it.

Oh, and welcome to the boards!

fesdufun

TOUGH FURNITURE
Description: Range of bedroom furniture including: single beds; dining tables; wardrobes; wheelchair accessible storage units. Designed specifically to suit children and adults with behavioural problems where stronger furniture is needed. Range of colour finishes. Custom made furniture available.

Unit 3
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I found this on the DLF website (Disabled Living Foundation)

Thought it may be useful. Advice given so far has been great.

Also you may like to contact any residential schools for Austic children in your area as they may have some other ideas. Social Services should be able to give their contact details.

Advice from an occupational therapist may help as well.

Good luck.

mentaljessie

I work in a hospital for people with Learning Disabilities and forensic needs we get our beds from a company called Pineapple they're not cheap but have managed to cope with 17 stone ladies playing trampoline. From my recollection these beds are still sturdy 5 years on.

gravitytolls

I'd be inclined to put the mattress on the floor, in the short term at least, until a more permanent solution can be found.

Can you get help with the costs of specialist beds?

Penny-Pincher!!

Do you have an OT or under the Social Services? If so, they should be able to help you find a suitable bed and possibly also help with the funding.

I hope you find one soon.

PP
xx

wonderfullife_2

Hi
We have the same problem with our 9yr autistic son, he doesn't throw himself on the bed though, he just bounces and bounces on it.
We found the best bed for him was a Sealy divan, very well made, and with a firm mattress that seems to cope, also we don't put the wheels on the divan, so its firmly on the floor, although I don't know if this has made any difference.

I wish you luck I'm sure we'll be having the same problem in a few years time.

lynzpower

Social Services certainly should be helping with the costs of "specialist equipment" for your son. You will have to undertake a "financial Assessment" which you may well have done before, but you should recieve a contribution at least for this. Personally, Iwouldny spend before seeing what social services can do. When I used to work In Childrens social services last yearm, we would happily provide ( beds/cots/ furniture) under S17 of the children act, but we would almost never give money towards something that had already been bought.

oldMcDonald

Hi,

I agree with the above posts, contact your OT before buying anything. We have a 6 year old who has severe learning difficulties and he needed a bed which doubled up as a safe environment for him. His OT oversaw the builing of a bed which was taylor made to his needs. We were originally told that we may be asked to make a contribution but this was never mentioned again.

If your OT can help you and you are asked for a contribution, or if there is no help available and you need to contact one of the suppliers direct there are several charities that should help you to pay for the needed equipment. The main one being https://www.familyfundtrust.org.uk.

hope this helps