The Original Floating Bed, designed by John Huff, creates a sanctuary for those with sensory challenges or anyone seeking a moment of calm.

At DuckByte, inclusivity is more than just a design principle—it’s a core part of who we are.

With a rising number of children and adults diagnosed with Autism and other sensory-related challenges, we recognize that this is an issue that affects many of our families, friends, communities, and clients. This understanding drives us to approach our projects with a focus on making a difference.

Designing for a Difference

Last year, we worked with John Huff, the visionary behind the Floating Bed, on his website redesign project. From the start, we connected with John’s mission to improve lives, especially for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other special needs. At DuckByte, the spirit of our work often goes beyond AI solutions and website design; we aim to incorporate the human element, focusing on translating stories like John’s into website designs that uplift and inspire positive change.

Designing Solutions for Autism and Sensory Challenges

Through DuckByte’s website development process, we discovered that John was more than just an inventor. He is also an innovative designer and advocate. His unique vision is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, including those with Autism and other sensory challenges. With 1 in 36 children in the U.S. now diagnosed with Autism[1], the need for innovative, therapeutic solutions is greater than ever. John’s Floating Bed, which supports sensory integration, offers a unique and much-needed approach.

The Floating Bed: Innovative Therapy for ASD

John’s invention, The Floating Bed, is unique because it uses vestibular motion—gentle rocking and swaying—to calm sensory issues. This movement is particularly beneficial for individuals with Autism, helping them feel secure, connected, and more socially aware. Unlike a waterbed or other swinging beds, the Floating Bed’s unique “pendulum” motion provides both calming and stimulating effects, increasing visual and tactile stimulation. Owners report that family members with ASD and other sensory challenges quickly become more comfortable in their surroundings—and happier! (Read testimonials on John’s site.)

Benefits for Everyone

According to John’s research page on his website, studies show that over 75% of special needs children and adults experience sleep problems[2], and The Floating Bed has been shown to provide significant improvement. But the benefits don’t stop there—families as a whole report longer, more restful sleep, reduced anxiety, and enhanced relaxation, making the Floating Bed a valuable addition to any home. As John Huff, inventor of the Floating Bed, explains:

“Individuals with special needs are not the only ones to benefit from the Floating Bed. Studies show that everyone instantly relaxes and has healthier sleep when gently rocking. That is why people love hammocks and porch swings, for example.”

Supporting John’s Mission

John is currently seeking funding to develop a website for his Autism initiatives, aiming to reach more families in need. His vision goes beyond just selling a product—he’s working to make a larger impact in the Autism community by offering helpful resources and support, and we are in full support of his mission and see an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.

Learn More About The Floating Bed

Discover how John Huff’s Floating Bed is transforming lives. Visit floatingbed.com to explore its unique benefits for everyone. To learn more about how the Floating Bed supports individuals with Autism and sensory challenges, visit the Autism and Floating Bed page. Together, we can help bring comfort, inclusion, and better sleep to those who need it most.

AI-generated website graphics from DuckByte Design

Over 75% of special needs children and adults experience sleep problems that contribute to ongoing health issues. The Floating Bed ® offers a ‘Safe Zone’ for children with sensory processing disorders, providing them with the comfort they need.

AI-generated website graphics from DuckByte Design

The Floating Bed creates a soothing and comforting space, offering families with ASD a place of peace—whether indoors or outdoors.

Celebrating Our Fairfield, IA Community

At DuckByte, we’re privileged to collaborate with inspiring Fairfield, IA  businesses like The Floating Bed.  Every project we take on deepens our commitment to supporting our community’s visionaries and bringing their innovative ideas to life. We are honored to be part of your stories of creativity and growth.

Accessibility at DuckByte

At DuckByte, we’re proud to support accessibility and inclusivity in all areas of our work. As part of our website design services, we offer the AccessiBe plugin, ensuring that websites are easy to navigate for users of all abilities, including those with sensory issues such as ASD. One of the features of AccessiBe is that it makes websites Autism/ADHD-friendly, offering a clean, distraction-free design, manageable chunks of information, and consistent, intuitive navigation to help users stay calm and focused.

“Web accessibility is about ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can easily understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the web. At DuckByte, we support creating websites that make this vision a reality.” 

To learn more about how AccessiBe can enhance your website’s accessibility, please visit our dedicated page on AccessiBe Accessibility Features.

To experience accessiBe in action, click the wheelchair icon at the top left of each page and adjust the settings.

Footnotes:
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Autism Data and Statistics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
  2. Floating Bed. “Research Studies on Sleep and Special Needs.” Accessed from https://floatingbed.com/research-studies/
More Reading

For those interested in learning more about Autism and the unique challenges faced by individuals with sensory needs, we recommend the following community-focused resources:

 

  1. Autism and Sleep Problems
    Learn about the common sleep challenges faced by children with Autism and how they can be addressed.
    https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/autism-and-sleep
  2. BrightAutism: The Therapeutic Benefits of Rocking and Swinging
    Discusses how rocking and swinging can serve as therapeutic tools for children with Autism, improving sensory integration, body awareness, and relaxation.
    https://brightautism.org/
  3. Apex ABA Therapy: Why Do Autistic People Rock?
    Explains the reasons behind rocking behavior in Autism and its sensory, emotional, and cognitive benefits.
    https://www.apexaba.com/
  4. Hes Extraordinary: The Benefits of Swinging for Autistic Children
    Highlights the benefits of swinging for children with Autism, particularly for regulating the vestibular system.
    https://hes-extraordinary.com/