There are many teachers in the world who are passionate about their students’ learning needs and Miss Maplethorpe is one of those teachers.

The teacher from Raymond Ellis Elementary School in Illinois, came up with a ‘sensory’ chair to help kids with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome.

The chairs are covered in sliced tennis balls and are said to help kids in the classroom. A Facebook post on the school’s page shared the clever design and explained the reasoning behind the chairs.

“Miss Maplethorpe, from our Speech and Language Department, created these chairs for our students that have sensory issues.”

“Sensory seating is used for students who may have difficulty processing information from their senses and from the world around them. Tennis balls on the seat and backrest provide an alternative texture to improve sensory regulation.”

Children with SPD focus better when they can wiggle while remaining seated. The textures and extra pressure from sitting on the seat may be the answer to help SPD children concentrate better at school. Inflatable cushions are usually the more standard solution.

The National Autistic Society in the US explains kids can be overly-sensitive or under-sensitive to touch and pressure and while the chair may look uncomfortable, it may be what an autistic or SPD needs child might require.

The Facebook post has since gone viral, with the clever creation getting positive comments from parents and teachers around the world.