Autistic children at one school in the US may have the opportunity to sit on bean bag chairs in a special sensory room.

The Naperville Patch reports the Fischer Middle School in Aurora is just one of the schools in Illinois that works with children who have special needs to be issued funding to buy items for its sensory room.

Receiving a total of $600 (£378), the school will use the money to purchase bean bags as well as blankets, a CD player and noise-cancelling headphones among other items.

"Students with autism need opportunities to meet their sensory needs in order to function in the school setting," speech language pathologist Sara Falli states.

Referring to such opportunities as "sensory breaks", Ms Falli notes that having access to the resource allows those with autism to make a better transition to middle school.

A recent EzineMark.com article reported that the comfortable nature of bean bag chairs can help children with autism to calm down when starting to show signs of anger.

The addition of luxury throws and cushions to a living room could prove an effective way for people to add a touch of colour to this part of the home, should the comments of one expert be anything to go by.

In a Terry's Fabrics article, Helen Green points out that those painting a room in warm pastel yellow will find that it can "bring in a touch of sunshine".

However, people are advised to select differently-coloured soft furnishings and it appears luxury throws could play a role in this.

Ms Green recommends seeking out satin throws and cushions in "a slightly sharper green" to contrast with the yellow walls.

The addition of a faux fur white rug, meanwhile, can help to bring more texture to a living room.

But this is not the first time that the writer has highlighted the benefits that can come by using luxury throws. Earlier this month, she advised people to drape throws over their bed or sofa as they should look to "accessorise with beautiful fabrics".

Film fans visiting one Australian city could find they have the chance to sit on bean bag chairs while enjoying movies displayed on the big screen.

The Lithgow Mercury reports that the Cinema Under The Stars event at the Lithgow High School Oval last week saw a number of people turn out to watch Alice in Wonderland in the open air.

And as they settled down on bean bag chairs and other items of furniture to watch the film, moviegoers were able to get something to eat at the on-site barbecue.

However, there is no need for people to fear that they have missed out on being able to sit on bean bags in the open air as this Saturday (January 29th) Academy Award-winning Avatar will be screened.

The free event also includes entertainment from a dance troupe and local musician Sam Bucca.

But Lithgow is not the first place in New South Wales to host an open-air cinema event that features bean bag chairs. The Central Coast Express Advocate recently reported that the Avoca Beach Picture Theatre held such an event in the run-up to Christmas, with Moulin Rouge and Inception among the films screened.

Those visiting a museum exhibition in Toronto may have the chance to sit on a bean bag chair while taking in the works around them.

Writing for student publication the Varsity, Emily Kellogg reports that a trip to the Justina M Barnicke Gallery in Toronto to see the Ron Terada: Who I Think I Am exhibit gave her the opportunity to sit on a black bean bag.

Noting the showcase by the Vancouver artist contains a variety of "baffling signage", the writer states that while sitting down she was able to watch the projection of a spinning vinyl record.

And she claims the bean bag chair was "moderately comfortable", with Ms Kellogg revealing that she almost forgot she was in an art gallery.

The mixed media exhibition was also said to incorporate video installations and black canvases inscribed with white text.

But this is not the first time that bean bag chairs and culture have come together. New Zealand publication The Aucklander recently revealed film-lovers were invited to bring such seating to the Tahaki Reserve in Mount Eden as it prepares to launch its outdoor movie season from February 9th.

Those visiting one beachside bar in the Philippines may find that they have the chance to relax on bean bag chairs while watching the sun go down.

Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, Belinda Jackson reports that the Sofitel Philippine Plaza's Sunset Bar located in Manila – the Asian country's capital – can be a great place for people to head to for a romantic rendezvous with their partner.

And it appears that bean bags play a key part in the bar's romantic atmosphere, with such seating situated in the middle of grass overlooking the ocean.

Upon sunset, she states the bean bag chairs – along with the drinking spot's white lounges – become "hot property".

Pointing out that the bar is also a great place to head to for those in groups, those keen to recline on bean bags to watch the sun go down may want to get there early to ensure that they will have a seat.

However, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza is not the first bar to contain bean bags. A recent article in The Hindu reported Yalla! Yalla! – a restaurant at the Radisson Hotel in Chennai, India – features bean bag sofas and chairs as it recreates the environment of a Middle Eastern street market.

An increasing number of schools are replacing classroom desks and chairs with bean bags, it has emerged.

In a Journal-Sentinel article, pupils at the Hartland South Elementary School in Wisconsin were revealed to be sitting on bean bag chairs and fabric cubes while they study.

And with fifth-grade teacher Holly Albrecht noting that "the kids love it", the flexible seating is deemed to be one way in which schools are changing the way that they use space in their classrooms.

Indeed, the move away from using desks has led to pupils having a greater say in their study environment and what works for them, she states.

"The idea has really been catching on to create these more flexible spaces, more comfortable spaces," Jennifer Lamar, senior interior designer for school architecture firm Fielding Nair International, tells the publication.

She claims that an increasing number of people are realising that sitting on a hardback chair in front of a desk for the duration of a day "is not very conducive to learning".

Writing for the Manila Bulletin earlier this month, Henry Tenedero, president of the Center for Learning and Teaching Styles, claimed that as some children can concentrate in rooms which contain soft furnishings, the use of bean bag chairs and throws "can actually enhance the learning process".

Those dining at one restaurant in India will have the chance to sit on bean bag chairs while they eat, one publication has noted.

An article in The Hindu reports that Yalla! Yalla! – a restaurant at the Radisson Hotel in Chennai – takes on the theme of Middle Eastern street food.

And it seems that bean bag chairs play a key part in this, with diners required to use such seating when it comes to tucking into the likes of vegetarian mezze, falafel and baklava.

"Waiters in keffiyeh scarves and enviably-chic harem pants scuttle about dramatically whipping their heads around in time to belly-dancing," the news provider adds.

Yalla! Yalla!, which is set by the hotel's swimming pool, was also highlighted for featuring cabanas and "hawker-style stalls".

But it is not the only eatery in Chennai to feature bean bag chairs. In November The Hindu reported that the High on Caffeine sports cafe features a number of bean bags and is "a popular hangout for college students".

The owner of a cat in Orlando, Florida has noted how his pet loves to spend his days lying on a bean bag.

Speaking to the Orlando Sentinel, Mike Kozak reveals that Boo enjoys doing nothing more than sleeping during the day while on a bean bag chair.

Mr Kozak goes on to claim that his cat will "give you a big yawn when you wake him up for dinner".

And when Boo is not lying on his bean bag sleeping, his owner claims that he likes to play with his toys or follow people around the house.

However, 12 months ago the black cat did not have the luxury of bean bag chairs. Mr Kozak reveals that when he found Boo in a car park last year, the cat was "in really rough shape", noting the animal had worms and fleas.

But Boo is not the only pet that sleeps on bean bags. Haaretz.com revealed last month that the home of Israeli singer Asaf Avidan contains two large bean bags which act as a bed for his dog Fay.

Ladies trying to add a touch of glamour to their bedroom may find that luxury throws are the ideal item to do just that, following the comments of one writer.

In an article on Terry's Fabrics, Helen Green notes that one of this year's most popular interior design trends will see women use "sensuous fabrics and shimmering metallics" in their bedroom.

And it appears the use of luxury throws can help to achieve such a look, as Ms Green advises that as people "can accessorise with beautiful fabrics", they should look to drape throws over their bed or sofa.

However, as people are advised to take "a minimalist approach with accessories", ladies may want to consider having just a single high-quality luxury throw, rather than cramming their room with soft furnishings.

In a previous posting for the blog, Ms Green pointed out that the use of cushions and throws can be ideal for those homeowners keen to go for a vintage look in their bedroom.

The use of luxury throws could be one way for people to make their home feel a little more cosy, if one blog is anything to go by.

An article on Terry's Fabrics points out that as textiles can be used "in such a way that they make a home feel more 'homely'", a recent interior design trend has seen people opt for products which are subtle both in terms of their colour and pattern.

People keen to replicate such a look and that have a grey sofa were advised to seek out cushions and throws that come in "tonal greys and white".

However, as the article points out that "a little colour is welcome", consumers may also want to consider seeking out some soft furnishings which come in bright, vivid shades.

Such advice comes as Jennifer Heilman, interior designer and owner of Clesson Brook Designs, recently told WWLP.com that the use of throws and pillows can help to inject new life into tired-looking furniture.