We’re bouncing off the walls with excitement over our new trampoline, thanks to the kind people at Vuly Play.
The Brisbane-based company has again donated one of their top-of-the-line models – the Thunder Pro – to AEIOU Nathan, for our children to enjoy for years to come.
It’s all part of a fantastic philanthropic mission to support schools, hospitals and therapy programs that help kids, particularly those with autism.
The Thunder Pro is particularly well-suited for these children, because it uses no coil springs and has an enclosure that fully protects the bouncer.
Vuly Community Engagement and Brand Manager, Davinder Saini, says that the company values “being active in the local community”.
Mr Saini points out that Vuly knows well the positive effects a trampoline could have on a child.
“Bouncing on a trampoline is a fun way to expend lots of energy very quickly, while benefiting their balance and muscles, while also alleviating stress,”.
He continues, “The team at AEIOU has also told us that having the children request to use the trampoline is a great way of improving their verbal skills and also for interacting with others, socially.”
Vuly has also assisted AEIOU Nathan staff in selecting an appropriate swing set for the centre at a special rate.
A number of AEIOU’s centres use Vuly trampolines in their programmes. To find out more, visit https://www.vulyplay.com/
Vuly Play have also provided us with some helpful information about purchasing a trampoline. Please find below the article they've penned on the topic:
Trampolines & Autism – Should You Buy One?
Parents always wonder if buying a trampoline for their child is a good idea, and for parents with a child living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this decision is no different.
The biggest issue often raised by any parent is safety. While trampolines in earlier years were often plagued with stories of injuries, these days there’s a wide range of trampolines out there that are extremely safe, leaving you with nothing to worry about while your little one bounces around and has fun.
So, with the downside out of the way, let us focus on the positives that trampolines can provide. Particularly for children with autism. For these children, a trampoline can be so much more than a fun plaything. It can also be a helpful tool for building up their body and mind. The wider autism community even acknowledges that trampolines are a great way for children across the autism spectrum to exercise and receive therapy.
Physical Health
Maintaining your physical health is important at any age, and trampolines are a great way to get some much-needed exercise in while also having fun. The simple act of bouncing up and down on a trampoline can be incredibly helpful for improving strength, coordination, speed, agility and balance – all areas which children with autism may need to improve upon.
The motion of jumping up and down on a trampoline can help open them up and energises them. With a trampoline, children with autism have the freedom to make big, unrestricted movements which in turn helps them develop muscles in their legs and their core.
Sensory Stimulation
Children with autism may have a hard time processing information received through their senses. If your child has difficulty identifying where their body is in space, trampolines help them explore and better understand this through momentary instances of weightlessness.
Why is sensory stimulation a problem? While the sensory organs are working as they should, the brain processes that information in an unusual manner. The physical sensation and movement of jumping up and down can help those with autism better process sensory information such as sight, sound, smell, movement and touch. In fact, this type of movement can be so impactful that trampoline equipment has even been used by therapists.
Children with autism also tend to be drawn to repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning or flapping their arms, bouncing on a trampoline could be a worthwhile alternative. Not only does a trampoline satisfy that repetitive motion they crave, but it also has the added benefit of being a healthy and fun way to exercise.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental health can be a cause for concern in some children across the autism spectrum due to the limited communication and poor ability to verbalise. This means it can be difficult for them to express their emotions and frustrations vocally. A great alternative for releasing those pent-up emotions and frustrations is to bounce on a trampoline. This carefree and repetitive motion can be great for helping your children calm down and feel less stressed.
If your child has trouble handling stress and anxiety effectively, a trampoline could be a great release for them.
Buying a Trampoline
When it comes time to pick a trampoline, you want to make sure you’re choosing the right one.
Vuly Play are actively involved in the Autism community across Australia. Not only do they make high quality trampolines where safety comes first, but Vuly Play are also an Australian owned and run company. It’s for these reasons that we strongly recommend Vuly as the trampoline of choice if you are looking to make a trampoline purchase for your child.
If you’d like to find more information about trampolines and autism, Vuly Play has even more insightful resources that you can take a look at including their articles ‘How can trampolines help with autism?’ and ‘Autism and trampolines’.
PLEASE NOTE: Before making a trampoline purchase, we understand that autism symptoms do vary, and individual treatment plans are often required, so we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about whether a trampoline purchase is the right choice for your child.
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