Understanding Special Tomato vs. Tumble Forms
In 1976, when Carrie was born with Down syndrome, medical resources were limited and equipment was hard to find. Her father, Tim Bergeron, an industrial designer in upstate New York, saw the gap—and decided to fill it. Inspired by Carrie, he created Tumble Forms®, using softer, more comfortable materials and bright, cheerful colors that parents and therapists loved.
Tim never stopped thinking about how to make life easier for children and families. In 1988, he left Tumble Forms to explore new materials and designs—driven by the same mission that started it all: to create with compassion, and to make the world more comfortable for children like Carrie.
Tim Bergeron is also the founder and original designer of the Special Tomato Product Line which was launched in 2001. “The Special Tomato” summarizes what Tim believes most parents feel about their child with special needs. “Every child is special in their own unique way. It’s a parent’s job to facilitate their child’s growth in a way that includes them equally within the family and community.”
For children with disabilities, adaptive equipment can play an important role in helping them function at home, in school, and in the community. Tim understands the importance of adaptive equipment and he has spent nearly a decade designing equipment under the Special Tomato brand name.
At first glance, you may think that the Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitters and the Tumble Forms Feeder Seats are the same product. There are differences between the seating systems and the chart below is intended to highlight the similarities and differences so that you can make an informed decision for your child or client.
| Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitters VS. Tumble Forms Feeder Seats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Tomato Sitters | Tumble Forms Feeder Seats |
Therapeutic Implication | ||
| Q U A L I T Y |
New Classic Color & Design |
YES | NO | Equipment looks less “therapeutic” and complements one’s home décor. |
| Material | Soft, Skin-Like, & Durable | Firm & Plastic-Like | Special Tomato Sitters are peel and tear resistant and do not crack. | |
| Warranty | 5 YEARS | 3 Years | Directly related to the manufacturer’s level of confidence in the durability of the product; the longer warranty the better! | |
| A T T R I B U T E S |
Harness Style | 5-point - with Padded Fabric Cushioning | 4-Point | A 5 point harness provides a crotch strap that helps position the hips in the seat |
| Anti-Thrust Seat Surface |
ALL 5 SIZES | Small & Medium Sizes ONLY | Helps keep the hips positioned back in the seat and often improves sitting posture. | |
| Lateral Head & Trunk Support |
Contoured | Planar | Special Tomato's Contoured head support supports the natural curvature of the trunk and spine. | |
| Abductor | YES | YES | Promotes leg separation and neutral hip alignment. | |
| Attachment Straps | YES | NO | Attach Special Tomato Sitters to standard chairs at a restaurant, school, relative’s house, etc | |
| B A S E |
Mobile Base Offering Tilt |
YES | NO | Special Tomato Sitters allow tilt positioning up to 25 degrees, thus minimizing the effects of gravity on head and trunk control. |
| Mobile Base | ALL 5 SIZES | Medium, Large & X-Large Sizes ONLY | Facilitates mobility of the lower extremities and makes transporting the system easier. | |
| Tilt Base | YES | YES | Attach to standard chairs at a restaurant, school, relative’s house, etc | |
Please contact me or one of the other customer service representatives if you have any questions about the Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitters or the Tumble Forms Feeder Seats.
Click here to locate the Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitters
Click here to locate the Tumble Form Feeder Seats
With Patience and Understanding,
|
Sitter Comparison |
Inside Seat Depth | Inside Seat Back Height | Inside Seat Width | Target Height | Target Weight |
|
Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter Size 1 |
7" (17.5 cm) | 21" (52.5 cm) | 8" (20 cm) | 30-35" (75-87.5 cm) | 20-30 lbs. (9-14 kg) |
| Tumble Forms Feeder Seat Small | 8" (20 cm) | 18" (46 cm) | 7.75" (18.7 cm) | 30-36" (91-107 cm) | 20-40lbs. (9-18 kg) |
|
Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter Size 2 |
9.5" (23.75 cm) | 26" (65 cm) | 10" (25 cm) | 35-48" (87.5-120 cm) | 30-60 lbs. (14-27 kg) |
| Tumble Forms Feeder Seat Medium | 9.5" (24 cm) | 23" (58.5 cm) | 9" (22.8 cm) | 36-48" (107-127 cm)& | 40-60lbs. (18-27 kg) |
|
Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter Size 3 |
11.5" (28.75 cm) | 29" (72.5 cm) | 12" (30 cm) | 40-56" (100-140 cm) | 40-80lbs. (18-36 kg) |
| Tumble Forms Feeder Seat Large | 13.25" (33 cm) | 29" (73 cm) | 12.5" (31.7 cm) | 48-60" (122-153 cm) | 40-80 lb (18-36 kg) |
|
Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter Size 4 |
13.5" (33.75 cm) | 35" (87.5 cm) | 14" (35 cm) | 50-65" (125-162.5 cm) | 50-110lbs.(23-50 kg) |
| Tumble Forms Feeder Seat Extra Large | 16.5" (42 cm) | 35" (89 cm) | 15" (38 cm) | 54-72" (137-183 cm) | 60-200 lb (27-91 kg) |
|
Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter Size 5 |
16" (40 cm) | 39" (97.5 cm) | 16" (40 cm) | 54-74" (135-185 cm) | 90-200lbs. (41-91kg) |
