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Rocking Therapy

Troutman chair donates rockingcharis to Bruns Avenue Elementary to help students with special needs

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2009 � Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools� Bruns Avenue Elementary received a donation of three large rocking chairs from Troutman Chair Company to help students with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The rocking chairs, similar to those in the terminal at the Charlotte-Douglass Airport, are being used in three classrooms where some of the students have special needs. Lameka Smalls, a teacher for five years with the district, said the rocking chair in her classroom appears to be helping her autistic student.

�Since having the chair, my student has a place that is designated�specifically for him to relax and classroom disruptions have diminished,� said Smalls.��I am beyond grateful to have received one of the rocking chairs because it seems to be making a difference. On behalf of the entire school, I want to thank Troutman Chair for its kind donation to support our students.�

Champ Land, vice president for Troutman Chair Company, said the company�s has been donating chairs to schools for the past several years after a teacher called and said the chairs helped her students adapt and focus. This is the fist time the company donated chairs to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

�I know that rocking chairs help people relax and are great coping mechanisms,� said Land. �We want to get the word out and make people aware of inexpensive ways to help students and people with these disorders.�

The company, which also helps people with Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders by donating chairs, has its own Web site dedicated to rocking-chair therapy. The Web site is http://www.rockingchairtherapy.org.

Sarah Redmond, an occupational therapist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, travels to various schools throughout the district to assist students with special needs.

�Rocking activities provide a sense of boundary, smooth linear and repetitive movements that produce a calming effect on the nervous system,� said Redmond. �Having a rocking chair in a classroom�holds potential�that could open an entire new educational experience for a child who just needs a little more support.�