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Tougher than tough ?

Azzle-Dazzle

Hi everyone! 

I'm a support worker, caring for adults with autism and challenging behaviours and Im on the hunt for some advice. 

One of the lads I support has recently just moved to us from child services to adult services, in the home we have special autism proof furniture from a company called "Tough Furniture" I'm sure many of you will know of them, Their products are fantastic and really well built (I would recommened them if you are in need of some pretty indestructible furniture) 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, He's managed to tear through and shred 3 tough furniture mattresses, they are tear resistant but he's a very keen lad and has a strong set of jaws and has destroyed them all thus far. 

Now, being a support worker for a large company, the next steps are out of my control, There has been an MDT meeting and the outcome (for now) is that he will have to sleep without a mattress, just on the bed base, there are discussions of whether he prefers this (Sensory maybe?) and him destroying the mattresses is his way of telling us he doesn't want one (He's non verbal). 

I don't want to go into the company politics of things but i feel it is unethical for him to be sleeping on a solid bed base with no mattress, yet i agree that it is uneconomical also as these tough furniture mattresses are circa £200 and he cant afford to be buying a new one every other week and the risks of him having a mattress do outweigh the risks of him not having a mattress. 

Mattress -> tearing it up -> injury from the springs / dislodging a tooth -> frustration -> waste of finances.

No mattress -> maybe a poor nights sleep. 

So, Im on a mission now and I'm seeking your help, I want to know if anyone has similar experiences  and I want to find some alternative suppliers / manufacturers of tougher than tough furniture that have been put to the test. 

I've been looking at gymnastic style crash mats, I imagine they'd be pretty durable considering what they're used for, but would it be comfortable to sleep on ? 

maybe even a mattress made from kevlar? thats supposed to be stab proof so I think it could survive against some strong teeth, but do they even exist ? I doubt anyone would make a stab proof mattress, or if its even economical? I bet that stuff's pretty expensive! 

Im kind of at a dead end now. Any input is most welcomed.

Thanks.

  • I'm in the same boat. My 7 year old peels the drywall, rips open mattresses, stuffed animals, etc.. I'm not sure how it is where you are, but I have done a little research on super durable bedding. The best idea I have seen so far are jail/prison/detention facility mattresses. They are super durable, welded seams, and (i think) some are woven kevlar. They are made so that "occupants" can't rip them open to hide contraband. I haven't tried one yet but will soon and post results. 

  • Hi,

    Thanks for posting, personally you say he has recently moved to you so I am wondering if his behaviour is to rebel against change. Do you know what he slept on before the move ?

    I guess there could be something about the matress he doesn't like, and hoping that it will be replaced with the one he usually sleeps on.

    I wouldn't underestimate the effect on health from persistant loss of sleep; I used to have chronic sleep problems, it is a form of torture.

    I think the mats you are thinking of are a good idea, hopefully you can find something that will make it comfortable enough for him to sleep on. 

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