help my couch can't take it anymore

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asdfor3
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27 Oct 2014, 9:19 pm

Ok so I have a son that is 8 and 70 lbs, oh and by the way is low functioning autism., who uses our couch as a crash pad and general flop place when he is stemming. I have gotten him a trampoline in hopes of curving the couch bounces but it seems he needs to do them. Right now we are on our fourth couch this year and I have already rebuilt this on twice. Is there a brand of couch you guys find lasts longer or what have you done to help your kids get past this?



pddtwinmom
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27 Oct 2014, 10:13 pm

Can you set up a "crash couch" in a different location other than your living room? So, basically have a good couch and a couch that he can destroy?



DW_a_mom
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27 Oct 2014, 11:26 pm

I was going to say just give in, it is cheaper than therapy, but FOUR in a year? Yikes.

How about one of those foam folding things? No wood construction that can snap. I saw quite a few options when I searched "foam sofa." OK, this isn't going to be high style, but I'm sure you are more than ready to give up style, and just have a place to sit.

I went to a brown leather sofa as my version of "indestructible," but apparently my force of nature has never been quite as destructive as yours.


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League_Girl
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28 Oct 2014, 3:53 am

I wonder what would happen if you didn't get another couch after this one breaks for good?


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BuyerBeware
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28 Oct 2014, 7:11 am

I might go for one of those ones that are solid wood, with a cushion that looks like a posh futon cushion.

Not as cushy as a regular couch, but no springs and hence no bounce. If the bounce is gone, he might decide to crash/jump somewhere else.


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CWA
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28 Oct 2014, 12:30 pm

replace the couch with a crash pad. Buy some comfy chairs for everyone else.



asdfor3
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28 Oct 2014, 1:47 pm

all great ideas, I guess I should have said what we have tried so far.
We had a crash mat in the other room, he would run to it, crash, then back to the couch. The front room isn't big enough for more than 2 couches and he crashes on both. Right now the couch is made from a box frame of 4x6 with a top, side, and back of 2 3/4 inch plywood, with cushions. Its the brick sh23 house of couches. Not at all comfy or bounce, but still a place to sit. He spends about 90% of his day standing with the back of his knees touching the front of the couch then jumps into the air landing with his back hitting first then his butt. So on average I would say he repeats this about 30 or more times a minute. We have gotten rid of the couch while waiting for another to be delivered and him not having an outlet for himself = a very rough self mutilating 2 days, we also barried our dog during the same 2 days because he was a poor replacement for a couch flop. So without is not an option.
Has anyone tried those bean bag couches?



zette
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28 Oct 2014, 6:30 pm

I would think a beanbag couch would eventually split and spill its contents everywhere, but might be worth a try.

Have you tried putting the crash mat in the room where the couches are currently? How about just a bunch of very large heavy duty foam cushions on the floor. Ones that would work to crash on but you could also arrange to lean against while sitting on the floor?

You could also add some seating like a Japanese style dining room, with the chairs that have backs but no legs and the table is low to the floor.



momsparky
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28 Oct 2014, 7:26 pm

DS has split one or two beanbag chairs by crashing. (He's not a big crasher, but just once or twice is enough)

However, we had one of those all-foam couches - they aren't very bouncy, but they are surprisingly durable AND cheap. DS couldn't jump up and down like a trampoline, but he could fall on it and crash on it with no trouble. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/good-qu ... -917-22693

We also got an inflatable trampoline for DS when he was little and kept it in the middle of our living room (I'd totally forgotten that!) Like this one: http://www.kidstoychest.com/wet/WET48268.htm

Hang in there! I am guessing it will get better and as time goes on you will be more and more able to direct it. There are almost always couches on Freecycle, too.