Product Review: HowdaHUG Chair Fantastic for Sensory Seeking Kids

Let me just first warn you, this is going to be a gushing review. I {heart} this chair and what it has done for Luke, my fourth-grade son with ADHD/SPD/LDs. If you don't like it when people gush, you should probably avert your eyes. But I encourage you not to, you're going to want to see what this funny little chair can do for your kiddo.

Just a few short weeks ago, I blogged about Luke's overwhelming sensory needs while reading. He was sticking his feet in the air, kicking his feet, chewing his hands, swirling his hair, and just plain writhing around in order to focus on his book. You can see the {very amateur} video of the experience in my prior post, How Do You Help a Sensory-Seeking Child with ADHD? I had no answer at that point. While I was somewhat motivated to help him with this issue so he could better focus when reading, it was summer and I wasn't under pressure to do so.

Then school started.

{sigh}

Luke's new classroom in his new school is very different. They don't have desks. They sit in these interesting chairs, called back-jacks, right on the floor. Luke likes them and thinks they're comfortable. However, he was still sliding down, standing on his head, kicking his feet etc. to try to focus while in the chair. That's no fun for his teachers, not to mention the kids in his direct vicinity.

So I turned to Google.

And I found the HowdaHUG chair.

{according to Luke, it honestly does}

When I first discovered the chair, I posted on sensory forums asking if they are really effective to address sensory needs, especially in the classroom, but I received little response. So I asked the company if I could try it out and let all of you know how it works for Luke, and they happily agreed {thanks HowdaDesign!}.

I think we've had the HowdaHUG chair for about three weeks now. Luke takes it to school and brings it back home each day. His teacher sent me an email after the very first day and asked if I'd please continue to allow him to bring the chair to school each day. It was an instant success! Finally, something that works!

Remember that video of Luke reading, squirming all around? Here's what it looks like when he reads his nightly homework now:

It is just remarkable how still and focused he is. He sits still and quiet and reads his entire 20 minutes without asking how much longer, without getting up, without standing on his head. This chair is worth it's weight in gold!

Are there any negative aspects to this chair? Only two that I can come up with and one is just downright nit-picky. First, you can roll it up for carrying -- however, you have to use the sidestrap to secure it in a roll which means you have to loosen it for travel and then re-adjust to sit again. I just stopped rolling it. They have a carrying bag you can purchase separately that would resolve this issue (although I think it would be difficult for kids to roll it and get it in there themselves). Secondly, Luke says it rubs behind his knees and irritates his skin there. We are going to purchase the sheering liner to resolve this issue.

Would I recommend this chair, despite the hefty $74 (plus shipping) price tag? Yes. Yes! A thousand times Yes! It's just amazing! Really. Click on over and check out this chair right now.

Penny Williams is the creator and editor of {a mom's view of ADHD}. She is also a freelance writer, real estate broker, wife, and mother of two living in Asheville, N.C. She has published several pieces in ADDitude Magazine, the #1 national publication dedicated to ADHD, and has also been quoted in Parenting.com's Family Health Guide on ADHD and The High Desert Pulse article, When Ritalin Works.  When not writing, she can usually be found behind a camera.