Teacher creates tennis ball chair to help students with autism with sensory issues (ABC News)

One Round Lake, Illinois, teacher got creative in order to help her students with autism.

Amy Maplethorpe, a first-year speech-language pathologist at Raymond Ellis Elementary School, used tennis balls, a hot glue gun, Mod Podge and a bit of paint to create two chairs that offer relief to students with autism that may have sensory issues.

According to the school's Facebook post, which went viral, the chairs provide "an alternative texture to improve sensory regulation."

Maplethorpe told ABC News that the chairs will service approximately 15 to 20 students.



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According to autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks, children with autism often have a hard time "processing sensory information."

Items, such as vests, blankets and Maplethorpe's chair, often soothe a student, according to Autism Speaks, which has a list of similar items on its website.

Maplethorpe was inspired to create the chair after seeing a similar item on Pinterest "and [I] adapted the idea," she said.

"I wanted to continue to address the various sensory needs present at Ellis and provide an alternative seating option for the students," she continued. "I was excited that this chair could be beneficial for my students."

The two chairs are currently in the school's sensory room, which was created recently, according to Principal Beth Kiewicz.

"When a child’s sensory needs are met that allows us to move on to their academic needs," Kiewicz, who has led the school for six years, told ABC News. "You have to look at the whole child -- socially, emotionally and academically. That’s why we’re here."

Maplethorpe said the chairs have already made a difference for some of her students.

"Students have become more patient, have followed directions, and restlessness has decreased while waiting for activities," she said.