Written by Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L
If you spend the night tossing and turning, unable to quiet your mind, getting in and out of bed, or you just can’t get comfortable, it’s going to impact your mood, your physical health, and your ability to get through your day. Restful, restorative sleep in a safe environment is a necessity for good health.
Sleep issues are particularly prevalent in children with special needs, affecting 49-89 percent of children on the autism spectrum, 25 to 50 percent of kids with ADHD, and 34-86 percent of children with intellectual disabilities. A special needs bed designed to create an environment that fosters sleep will contribute to overall wellbeing and protect the user from injury. Safety beds provide protection against entrapment and bed falls, and are also known as institutional beds, adaptive beds, enclosed canopy beds, and child safe beds. Even though these beds are designed to accommodate kids who are medically fragile or who have medical conditions like Down syndrome, developmental disabilities, Angelman syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD, they look like furniture rather than institutional hospital beds, and support physical and mental health through better sleep.
1. Best All-Around: Safety Bed for Special Needs Children | Premium
2. Best Tall with Extension Rail Height: KayserBetten Hannah Safety Bed 135
3. Best Customizable: Beds by George - Haven Series Safety Bed
4. Best Electric Adjustable: Kayserbetten Ida Bed - Full Electric Adjustable Safety Bed
5. Best for Autism: zPod Special Needs Bed for Autism and Other Sensory/Sleep Disorders | Gen 2
6. Best for Placing On Top Of Bed Frame: Safety Sleeper Bed by Abrams Bed TWIN-SIZED
7. Best Manual Adjustable: KayserBetten Basic Bed - Ida IV Manual
8. Best Low Rail Height: SleepSafe Low Bed
9. Best for Travel: Inflatable Travel Bed for Special Needs Children
All safety beds are designed to safely keep kids in bed at night, especially if they are escape artists who are prone to wandering, while guarding against entrapment. Open designs allow a child to be part of their surroundings, while keeping them safe and secure in bed. They mimic the design of a crib, but on average they can accommodate sleepers who weigh up to 350 pounds.
Enclosed models deliver all-encompassing security that surrounds the bed. They’re usually made with soft fabrics and other durable materials with specially designed closures that can’t be opened from the inside. Often they are lightweight and foldable, so they’re easy to take along while traveling. Enclosed models eliminate distractions, which are beneficial for children on the autism spectrum and those with sensory issues.
For users who aren’t able to reposition themselves independently, articulating beds allow for the bed to be raised or lowered in sections, aiding in everything from digestion and circulation to preventing pressure sores. Safety beds that are height adjustable make it easier for caregivers to provide assistance with bed transfers without having to strain to reach the user.
If assembly is an option for more complicated stationary beds, consider taking advantage of the service even if there is an additional fee. If you are going to make the investment in a safety bed, professional assembly will ensure it’s put together correctly.
Bedtime can be challenging for any kid, but for special needs kids who have a hard time settling in for sleep, providing a bed they enjoy getting into can make a big difference. These beds provide a cozy and safe feeling, and some have lights, fun prints, extra padding, and other features to make it a fun place to be.
A height-adjustable bed can eliminate reaching and lifting, taking some of the physical strain off caregivers. Design features like windows, ports for medical devices, and IV pole attachments all accommodate necessary medical equipment and allow for monitoring and care without disturbing a sleeping child.
Rounding out or list at number 9 is the Inflatable Travel Bed for Special Needs Children by Safe Place Bedding.
Highly portable, this small inflatable travel bed evokes thoughts of being in a safe and cozy tent, providing a calm haven at the end of the day. It can be inflated using automatic or manual pumps, and it’s so lightweight, it can be taken anywhere.
This lightweight but durable safety bed for special needs kids can stand up to kicks, bites, scratches, and anything else an active child might do. It has a watertight floor to protect it against any nighttime accidents. It’s also a good choice for children with a number of sensory processing disorders.
This bed comes in four colors, and its inflatable frame attaches securely to any stationary bed, full size or larger. Whether using it at home or while traveling, it will provide a calming space where your child can wind down and get a good night’s rest.
See a demonstration video of the Safe Place Bedding Inflatable Travel Bed for Special Needs Children.
The Low Bed by SleepSafe is sitting at number 8 in our list of top safety beds for special needs. The low bed transfer height is 22.25 inches with the safety rail, and 20.75 inches without the safety rail. There are three safety rail height options to choose from, depending on the amount of user activity, to prevent falls from bed and night wandering.
The articulating mattress adjusts the head and feet elevations to provide comfort and support. This low bed’s design eliminates gaps between the mattress, bed, and rails to prevent entrapment. It can be ordered in manual or electric versions.
With this solid wood safety bed, you can choose from six finish colors to match your decor. Each package contains a premium mattress that is fluid-resistant, antimicrobial, and fire resistant, plus locking casters, and a foundation of your choice. It comes in twin, full, and queen sizes, and you can build your customized package when you place your order.
The Ida IV Manual Basic Bed from KayserBetten is a fixed height safety bed for special needs with a manually articulating mattress.
This safety bed is a great choice for non-ambulatory users who can’t pull up or tall kneel. It’s a professional level assistive device, but fits in just as well at home in a child’s bedroom. The articulating mattress provides maximum support and comfort wherever the user needs it. Because the articulation feature is operated manually, you don’t have to worry about power outages or tampering by the person in the bed.
The sturdy frame is made of solid natural beechwood that is sealed to be liquid-resistant and easy to clean. The safety rails have easy access doors, and there is no gap between the mattress and the sides of the bed, reducing the risk of entrapment.
Its side rails are 31 inches high and tucked in between layers of plexiglass to allow for clear visuals into and out of the bed, while providing a deterrent to wandering. The plexiglass enclosure has easy access doors, and the fixed height provides comfortable access for caregivers.
The twin-sized Safety Sleeper Bed by Abrams Bed is our number 6 choice. An enclosed special needs bed, its frame and mesh cover sit on a bed or floor and can be used at home or while traveling to ensure a calm sleep environment no matter where you are.
It’s available in five packages:
200 - One side entry
300 - One side entry, end-of-bed entry, multiple functional access points
400 - Convertible entry, lift compatible, double side entry, multiple functional access points
Every Safety Sleeper Bed comes with a freestanding aluminum frame, removable padded enclosure, four frame pads, two zip-in coverlet sheets, two stabilizing straps, a waterproof memory foam mattress, an air mattress for travel, and a wheeled carrying case. Options include soft frame pads, loops and pockets for storage, and the entire enclosure is machine washable.
These special needs beds are built to last, with enhanced joints to withstand heavy use and play. The taller headspace and bigger doors make it appropriate for adults as well as children who benefit from an enclosed sleep space.
See a durability test of the Safety Sleeper Bed.
Landing at number 5 is the Generation 2 safety bed from zPOD. Its newly designed sliding doors are easy to install or take off, making it more convenient to make and clean the bed or leave the door open if preferred.
The customized sleeping environment is a peaceful, safe space for kids with autism spectrum disorder, ADD, ADHD, and other sensory processing disorders to find calm in a sensory deprived environment to help them get to sleep.
This smart bed has a bluetooth connected control panel that can be managed from inside or outside the bed via mobile app. Features can be remotely locked and unlocked by parents according to the level of enclosure needed by their child. It also has bluetooth speakers to pipe in calming music, white noise, or any sounds that helps calm the child.
This special needs bed is easier to assemble than earlier models, shipping flat and requiring about a half hour for two people to put together. It fits a single sleeper and is 7.25 feet long, 4.25 feet tall, and 4.25 feet wide.
Watch a video highlighting the features of the zPOD Generation 2.
The number 4 pick on our list of top safety beds for special needs is the highly adjustable Ida Bed - Full Electric Adjustable Safety Bed by KayserBetten. The electric height adjustment means caregivers can perform duties in an ergonomically friendly environment, and full mattress articulation provides optimal positioning for safety and comfort during sleep, play, care, and treatment.
The Ida is one of the most accommodating safety beds you can get, with a four-section platform that adjusts position with the push of a button. Its 31-inch tall safety rails are equipped with four doors on each side that open to create space for tandem treatment or therapy from multiple caregivers.
The user can see out of the bed through plexiglass lining the sides, and the ventilated ends allow for vents, IV and feeding lines, pulse ox cords, and other medical equipment. The sides allow for visual and auditory monitoring and with no spaces to catch hands and feet, there is no chance of limb entrapment between the rods. To further reduce the chance of entrapment, there is no gap between the frame and the mattress.
It has a low access level of 12 inches. This encourages children who are able to climb in and out of the bed on their own. It also provides easy transfers from wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Our number 3 choice is the Haven Series Safety Bed from Beds by George is our most popular bed from this manufacturer.
This safety bed for special needs features a removable washable fabric canopy that is unique in that it can be tightened to combat natural stretching. This eliminates gaps between the canopy fabric and the frame and gives the canopy a longer service life.
The fabric and mesh construction allows for ventilation, visibility, and a softer, more comfortable environment than provided by other wooden frame beds. It comes in twin, extra long twin, or full size, and you can choose from a fixed platform with a low profile, semi-adjustable, or fully adjustable frames.
This bed’s heavy-duty aluminum frame is securely bolted to the skirt and wooden corner posts. The fabric sleeves are made from padded polyester-nylon for safety with a urethane coating to repel moisture and mildew and help maintain a hygienic environment.
The Hannah Safety Bed 135 by KayserBetten, made with sealed natural beechwood, is the second pick on our list. It has the highest rails available to help keep restless children safely in bed.
There are four platforms to choose from: The solid platform, which is best for active kids who like to jump on the bed; the hinged platform that allows for separate elevation of the head and feet and is great for kids who have asthma or use a feeding tube; the semi-electric platform with electric height adjustment and manual head and foot articulation that is convenient for diapering; and the full electric, which allows for dynamically positioning the user to prevent sliding, and appropriate for kids with cerebral palsy, a feeding tube, or arthrogryposis.
On the side of the bed are two doors that fold open for a wide access point to the bed. The low threshold allows kids who are able to get in bed themselves, and for those needing assistance, caregivers don’t have to lift a child to get them into bed. Its special locking doors ensure a safe night.
Claiming the top spot on our list is the Safety Bed for Special Needs Children - Premium by Safe Place Bedding - This mesh and wood fully enclosed bed is customizable for your special needs child.
With a focus on serving kids with sensory disorders, this bed has a durable wood frame that will stand up to years of nightly use and can be ordered in twin or full size. It provides a cozy space to promote relaxation and sleep, and comes with an attractive flame-retardant cover.
This safety bed comes with a high-quality foam mattress, and as the premium model, it’s available in a variety of designs and padding colors to match any bedroom. It’s freestanding and is resistant to heavy impact. It also features easily accessed ports for feeding tubes, pulse-ox monitors, tubing, and monitors.
A: It depends on your insurance, but often if you have a medical prescription for a safety bed as durable medical equipment, it will be at least partially covered. Please check your coverage levels and we are also happy to discuss financing options.
A: A special needs bed is designed to provide a safe and calm sleep space as well as keep kids from getting out of bed at night without supervision. This helps prevent injuries, falls, and wandering.
A: A Hannah bed is a safety bed made by KayserBetten, which has multiple entries on our list of top safety beds for special needs. The Hannah 135 Safety Bed offers multiple benefits and design features to keep special needs kids comfortable and safe in bed. There is also a long list of accessories that can customize the design to meet a user’s individual needs.
A: The best bed choice for an autistic child is the zPOD. These sensory-friendly safe spaces help children get to a calm and relaxed state where they can sleep in comfort.
A: The full electric model of the Hannah 135 Safety Bed is the best choice for serving special needs kids with cerebral palsy, as it provides support for dynamic positioning of the user to prevent any sliding while in bed.
A: Children with angelman syndrome typically have hyperactivity, a short attention span, and difficulty sleeping. The Hannah 170 has a special door locking system and the tallest safety rail available to meet medical, physical, and behavioral needs with protection and comfort.
A: Sensory processing and sleep quality affect academic performance and quality of life. A sensory bed helps create a calming environment to distract users who have heightened emotions and high activity levels that can keep them from falling or staying asleep. A bed with soothing lights and sounds can help soothe a user and de-stress to promote restful sleep.
It’s difficult for many kids with special needs to fall asleep and stay asleep, which leads to poor sleep patterns and a tendency to get out of bed and wander. A special needs bed could make the difference between a daily struggle at bedtime and the path to deeper sleep. In addition to protecting against entrapment and falls out of bed, special needs safety beds provide an environment where sensory processing disorders can be managed and restorative sleep is easier to achieve.
Our top pick, the Safety Bed for Special Needs Children - Premium by Safe Place Bedding is great for kids with sensory disorders, and is quite durable. Being able to order it with a twin- or full-sized memory foam mattress provides more flexibility should a child not feel well or need extra comfort with a parent close by. It is sturdy, safe, comfortable, and has ports for medical equipment that are easy to access.
Thank you for taking time to read about the Top 9 Safety Beds for Special Needs. To learn more about similar products, visit the Safety Beds section of our website. You can also check out Caregiver University for more information that will help you decide which safety bed will work best for you and your family.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
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