What is a weighted blanket for autism
Sensory Weighted Blankets For Kids With Autism
The experiences of autistic children are unique to each individual child, so many parents find it challenging to understand their needs. For some situations, there are no answers, but thankfully, through advocacy, resources are becoming more and more accessible.
1 Download your FREE ultimate guide to the best
2 Sensory Weighted Blankets
3 What does a weighted blanket do for you?
4 How do weighted blankets work?
5 What are the benefits of a weighted blanket for kids with autism?
6 Best weighted blankets for kids with autism
6.1 Weighted blankets by type
6.1.1 Pattern weighted blankets
6.1.2 A unique neck cut out design
6.1.3 Wipe clean sensory blanket
6.1.4 Soft fabric blanket design for sensory issues
6.1.5 Animal lap pads
6.2 Cost-friendly weighted blankets
6. 2.1 The Snuggle weighted sheet
6.2.2 Washable weighted blanket
6.2.3 Daytime drape weighted blanket
6.3 Download your FREE ultimate guide to the best
6.4 Sensory Weighted Blankets
7 FAQ – Weighted blanket frequently asked questions
7.1 How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
7.2 Can a weighted blanket be too heavy?
7.3 What size weighted blanket should I get?
7.4 Do weighted blankets really work?
7.5 How do I choose a weighted blanket?
7.5.1 How do I choose pattern and color?
7.6 Which texture is best for my child?
7.6.1 Which design and weight distribution is best?
7.6.2 Are washable weighted blankets best?
7.6.3 Are weighted blankets safe?
7.7 What are the alternatives to weighted blankets?
8 In summary
One of the challenges experienced by parents of autistic children is difficulty around their child’s sleeping.
This may in part be due to their sensory needs not being met or hyperactivity in the brain that makes it difficult for them to sleep.
Some children on the spectrum constantly require deep pressure tactile input to meet their proprioceptive needs. The proprioceptive system exists in our muscles and joints and provides us with body awareness as well as detecting pressure i.e. it tells our muscles how much force is required to perform certain activities. Proprioception also assists with self-regulation, body posture, and coordination, to name a few.
Download your FREE ultimate guide to the best
Sensory Weighted Blankets
Download your FREE Guide
Children with proprioceptive dysfunction often seek out sensory input such as jumping, stomping, crashing into walls, or being wrapped around in a blanket or hugged. For this reason, weighted blankets are wonderful inventions designed to assist children with sensory needs.
The best part is that most types of sensory blankets offer just the right amount of weight that your child needs to fulfill their sensory needs.
Let’s dive in to learn more about weighted blankets and offer some tips for choosing the best-weighted blanket for your autistic child.
What does a weighted blanket do for you?
A weighted blanket, also known as autism or sensory blanket, is filled with materials that apply deep pressure stimulation on those wearing it. They are often filled with glass beads, cotton, or other materials to apply weight to the body which gives a sense of security and relaxation.
Sometimes weighted blankets are referred to as gravity blankets. They can be used to aid sleep but can also provide anxiety reduction in the daytime.
How do weighted blankets work?
The human body is a very sensitive instrument that responds to touch and pressure. In the same way that a baby can be soothed when it is picked up, the human body can also be soothed by applying deep pressure stimulation.
When we apply a weighted blanket or vest, the body releases oxytocin in the same sense way as it does when we are hugged or held like a baby. While some people are open to being hugged, those with autism or sensory processing issues may not be and so this kind of blanket is an ideal thing to use.
What are the benefits of a weighted blanket for kids with autism?
We all know the impact it can have when we are sleep-deprived. We become overly emotional and have difficulty concentrating. For children with autism or other kinds of special needs, this is even more pronounced.
Many children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) struggle with sensory issues including sensory processing disorder (SPD). This can appear in the form of difficulty processing sensory input of the five senses as well as internal emotions. Often this can create anxiety and problems with sleep.
Parents might wonder what to do when their child gets stuck in the cycle of anxiety causing sleep dysregulation and vice versa.
Holistic options are often more favorable over medication for many families.
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Research has shown that weighted blankets are beneficial for:
- Anxiety reduction
- Better sleep quality
- Deescalation of meltdowns and sensory overload
- Release of serotonin which is needed to create melatonin for sleep
- The release of oxytocin gives a sense of security and warmth
- Reduces stress hormones in the body
- Calms nervous system
- Children who don’t like to be hugged
Best weighted blankets for kids with autism
If you are looking for where to buy weighted blankets, we’ve compiled a list of suppliers that are suitable for those with special needs. We evaluated each blanket in accordance with the sensory needs of autistic children. Please note Autism Parenting Magazine will receive an affiliate commission for products purchased using our affiliate link.
Many of the below options come with free shipping in the USA.
Weighted blankets by type
Pattern weighted blankets
Kids blanket with special designs
The thing we like about weighted blankets from Mosaic is they have particularly special designs for kids, making bedtime fun. All the blankets use pellets that are 100% non-toxic. You can get eight lbs or 10 lbs versions of most blankets.
A unique neck cut out design
Sleep tight with cut out neck design
Often kids with sensory needs are sensitive not only to the fabric of the blanket but also its layout. What we like about this kids weighted blanket is that it has been designed by an occupational therapist to have several features including a curved neck cut out at the top which allows it fit smoothly over the shoulders and chin without placing the blanket over the head. Parents often report its ability to deescalate meltdowns. Weight is available in 5 lbs all the way up to 25lbs. Both waterproof and soft covers are available depending on your childs sensory needs.
Wipe clean sensory blanket
Wipe clean blanket
With this pressure blanket you get the benefit of something that is easy to clean, with no washing required. Not only is it waterproof, breathable and tear resistant, it also features the special design listed above with the neck cut out for sensory issues.
Soft fabric blanket design for sensory issues
Soft fabric design
This soft design is great for kids with sensory seeking or over-responding issues. Children with autism generally feel quite cozy in this design by providing sensory input. It has a weight of 3 lbs and is machine washable, unlike other similar blankets.
Animal lap pads
Animal lap pad
While these are not strictly weighted blankets, we wanted to include them here because they are both cute and practical. They employ the same deep pressure techniques as an autism weighted blanket. Having your child use one of these while sitting can help in grounding to improve calm and focus
Cost-friendly weighted blankets
IIn this section, we evaluated blankets that had the benefits of soothing sensory needs while not being highly priced
The Snuggle weighted sheet
Snuggle sheet $40.
99
If you are looking for the effectiveness of a weighted blanket without spending a fortune, this is for you. The snuggle sheet can be applied over a regular blanket providing compression with a hug-like feel.
Washable weighted blanket
Washable blanket $82.99
This is the most affordable regular blanket designed for special needs children that we could find. Prices start at $82.99.
Daytime drape weighted blanket
Daytime drape and all purpose blanket $89.99
Starting at $89.99 for 5lbs, this blanket is great for sensory needs and promoting sleep. It can be draped around the shoulders during the day or used for naps and bedtime.
Download your FREE ultimate guide to the best
Sensory Weighted Blankets
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FAQ – Weighted blanket frequently asked questions
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
To some extent, this is a matter of preference, but as a general rule, we can say that it’s good that the blanket weight is approximately 10% of the weight of the individual’s body weight plus a couple of lbs.
Can a weighted blanket be too heavy?
Yes, it is possible for the weight to be too much. Children should be able to remove the blanket without assistance.
What size weighted blanket should I get?
It is important to be comfortable when sleeping, so a blanket for sleeping should cover the user’s feet, legs, and abdomen. For daytime or general sensory blankets, the size can be smaller. One thing to bear in mind when considering younger children is the size of the bed and to accommodate for growth.
Do weighted blankets really work?
According to many parents, the answer is yes. Many of the products mentioned above have reviews where parents comment on their effectiveness.
As for scientific research on weighted blankets, a study involving Dr. Temple Grandin published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy assessed that the use of deep pressure stimulation resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety. Similar research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleeping problems concluded that the use of ball blankets “is a relevant and effective treatment method with regard to minimizing sleep onset latency”.
How do I choose a weighted blanket?
If you are finding it difficult to choose, we’ve put together some tips of things to consider before buying.
How do I choose pattern and color?
Firstly if you are trying to get a child to use a weighted blanket, it is important that they like the design and feel relaxed under the blanket. Try asking your child for their opinion or go by colors and patterns they’ve liked in the past.
Which texture is best for my child?
Depending on a child’s sensitivity it is good to consider what kind of textures they are reactive to. While some weighted blankets are waterproof, the material may be triggering to an autistic child. It can be good to consider the use of a cover that fits with specific sensory needs.
There are many different types of weighted blankets made in a variety of materials including cotton, antimicrobial fabrics, mink, chenille, fleece, cooling fabrics, and waterproof fabrics. Quilted weighted blankets are also available.
Which design and weight distribution is best?
Most of us have become accustomed to blankets being rectangular-shaped and are used to the blanket either going over our heads or curled up around the shoulders. To a child on the autism spectrum, this may cause an additional sense of discomfort. It is worth considering some of the special designs where there is a neck shape cut out of the blanket and weight is distributed over the body rather than equally over the blanket.
Are washable weighted blankets best?
It is good to check whether the weighted blanket can be washed, some can simply be wiped down but others need to be hand washed or dry cleaned.
Are weighted blankets safe?
Be sure to check the supplier uses a filling that is safe such as glass beads or cotton. Some manufacturers use fillings such as lead which are toxic to the body.
What are the alternatives to weighted blankets?
For reducing anxiety in the daytime, some parents have also benefited from the use of special autism clothing and/or a weighted vest for autism sensory issues.
You may also want to consider creating a special sensory space or bedroom and possibly the use of essential oils or supplementation like melatonin.
In summary
The choice of weighted blankets can feel like a complicated and strenuous exercise, especially when considering your child’s specific needs. So take it easy! You don’t have to make a decision right away. Very often, making the choice of material or pattern is easier by looking at the type of clothing your child tolerates, or the materials or items your child tends to use to satisfy their sensory needs.
Before looking at the bigger picture, break it down into parts. You’ve got this!
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Benefits and Where to Buy One
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What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is a type of blanket equipped with evenly distributed weights. These weights make it heavier than a typical blanket and provide pressure and possibly a sense of security to the people who use them.
In the autism community, weighted blankets are often used by occupational therapists (OTs) to help calm or comfort restless or stressed individuals. They’re also used to help with the sleep and anxiety issues that are common in people with autism spectrum disorder.
OTs and their patients alike seem to generally prefer the use of weighted blankets to regular blankets. However, the science-based benefits — and more specifically, benefits for autistic children— are significantly less clear. Read on to learn more.
There is a lack of research into the direct use of weighted blankets as a calming tool or sleep aid in children.
Most studies instead cite results of a 1999 study regarding the benefits of deep pressure stimulation using Temple Grandin’s “hug machine.” (Temple Grandin is an autistic adult and an important advocate for the autism community.)
The 1999 study, as well as more recent studies, found deep pressure stimulation to be beneficial to autistic people. However, no studies have shown that weighted blankets actually provide deep pressure stimulation. Instead they draw parallels between the sort of pressure the hug machine provided in the study and the fact that more weight must mean more pressure.
The largest autism/weighted blanket-specific study included 67 autistic children, ranging in age from 5 to 16 years old. Participants with severe sleep disorder showed no significant improvement in objective measurements of total sleep time, time to fall asleep, or frequency of waking.
Subjectively, however, both the participants and their parents preferred the weighted blanket to the normal blanket.
Though positive studies in children are lacking, one study in adults showed a 63 percent reduction in self-reported stress. Seventy-eight percent of participants preferred the weighted blanket for calming. Though this is subjective, the study also monitored vital signs and measured symptoms of distress. Researchers used this information to determine that the weighted blankets were safe.
A Canadian school-based fatality attributed to improper use of a weighted blanket on an autistic child in 2008 led the Autism Society of Canada to issue a warning about weighted blankets. The memo provided guidelines for the safe use of weighted blankets as both sleep aids and stress relievers.
Further studies are needed to provide a direct link between deep pressure stimulation studies and weighted blankets.
Weighted blankets have been used for decades in the OT field, and both OTs and participants in numerous studies prefer them.
Someone who prefers a specific blanket might be more relaxed using it.
OT and parent testimonials indicate positive results, so there’s reason to believe that the blankets might be beneficial. Future studies might be designed to further investigate this.
When it comes to how much your weighted blanket should weigh, there are some general guidelines. “Most people recommend 10 percent of the person’s body weight, but research and experience has shown that number is closer to 20 percent,” says Kristi Langslet, OTR/L.
Most blanket manufacturers also have guidelines for safe use and proper sizing of the blankets.
Weighted blankets can be found online from multiple outlets. These include:
- Amazon
- Bed Bath and Beyond
- The Weighted Blanket Company
- Mosaic
- Sensacalm
Research has found weighted blankets to be safe for adults, but so far nothing has been found to suggest they’re significantly therapeutic for autistic children. OTs, parents, and participants in studies show a clear preference for the weighted blankets versus their counterparts.
You may find it worthwhile to try a weighted blanket and see if it eases symptoms of anxiety and sleeplessness.
"Weighted" blankets help children and adults with problems
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of children with autism spectrum disorders, with special educational needs, and tension and stress disrupt the rhythm and worsen the quality of life for many people. But we will not talk about statistics, but about one of the ways in which these difficult conditions can be mastered to a large extent. At the same time, not with the help of drug therapy, but thanks to one invention that is not new, but gaining popularity - a “weighted” blanket. It is recommended by various specialists and has been successfully used in the treatment of over 35 diseases. And many use it simply as an effective remedy for insomnia and sleep disorders. How exactly does it affect?
“Heaviness or pressure, evenly distributed throughout the body, increases the level of serotonin, a hormone that calms the mind and body, and this, in turn, is associated with melatonin, which regulates sleep ,” explains the sole manufacturer „ weighted” blankets in Bulgaria by Borislav Kostov.
– In this way many conditions can be influenced for which antidepressants or other drug treatments would otherwise be prescribed. Of course, the blanket cannot replace the therapy of a child or an adult with a serious problem, it is rather an adjunct without any side effects.0007 .
In children with autism, a weighted blanket reduces anxiety and provides emotional stability. Pressure helps the child to feel his body, to realize himself in space. With cerebral palsy, the necessary relaxation and stretching of the affected muscle groups is achieved. For children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a "weighted" blanket has a relaxing and calming effect and provides concentration. In adults, the quality of deep sleep improves and a wide variety of diseases are regulated. In contrast to Western countries, there is extremely little information about "weighted" blankets in Bulgaria. But the good news is that a very large part of the professionals working with children with such difficulties are trained abroad and transfer their knowledge about these new aids to Bulgaria.
The “weighted” blankets that Borislava sews look like an ordinary blanket made of colorful squares 10x10 cm each. The shape and dimensions were not chosen by chance: they allow gravity to be distributed in them as accurately and evenly as possible. In her work, Borislava uses only high-quality cotton fabrics and two types of cotton wool. And what gives weight to the blanket is a lentil-shaped polypropylene dragee, so that if it accidentally gets under the body, it does not irritate, like, for example, a ball. Blankets take into account the weight of a particular child, and their manufacture requires quite complex mathematical calculations, since the severity should be the same in individual sectors.
“This heaviness is one tenth of the weight of the body. That is, if a person weighs 50 kg, then the weight that should be distributed from the chin to the heels is 5 kg. I make the blanket so that as the child grows, I don’t have to change the whole blanket: just the part that does not fall on his body at the beginning is used when the child becomes taller and heavier” , says Borislava Kostova.
The weighted blanket is very easy to care for. It can be machine washed at 40 degrees, and polypropylene weights do not interact with drugs and do not emit any odor. Drying is also very fast, since the heaviness sewn inside does not retain water.
Borislava Kostova is a small manufacturer, and she makes all her blankets by hand, and an individual approach to each client provides an opportunity to choose colors, pictures, applications. Her next idea is to create one more compact version of the blanket that fits on the lap. Studies show that this increases the ability to concentrate by an order of magnitude, especially for first graders and children for whom it is a problem to concentrate for a long time on one task. Borislava is looking for ways to provide additional funding or to allow people in need of such aids to hire them for a limited period of time and experience the benefits of a "weighted" blanket.
The beginning is set: the first blanket is ready, made specifically for a speech therapy center.
And all over its surface there are shiny, soft, rustling and embossed surprises for children.
Photo: personal archive
Weighted blanket: differences and impact on children with special needs
Weighted blanket: differences and impact on children with special needs - PRO AUTISM 9Reading time: 4 min.This article is based on research, that is, it has scientific evidence. Numbers in brackets (1, 2, 3) are active links to publications of peer-reviewed studies.
Weighted blanket for a child with autismRead: 9 070
Although weighted blankets are effective for many disorders such as depression , anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this article focuses on the benefits of a weighted blanket for children with autism .
Some parents use pharmacological interventions, while others turn to the weighted blanket as a non-medical sensory intervention that supports regulation in children.
The weighted blanket can be used for a child with autism, an adult or a toddler. It is only necessary to take into account that when a person's weight changes, the blanket must also change.
What is a weighted blanket?
Weighted Blanket is a blanket with extra weight.
The weight of the blanket provides proprioceptive or deep sensory pressure to your entire body which helps regulate the central nervous system and promotes relaxation and 7 improved sleep . The central nervous system responds to the deep pressure of the weighted blanket by releasing serotonin and melatonin and reduces the level of the stress hormone - cortisol . We know that melatonin plays an important role in regulating the circadian rhythms that affect our sleep/wake cycle. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood and functions of the central nervous system.
By increasing these hormones, weighted blanket has been shown to improve mood and has a positive effect on sleep .
How weighted blankets differ
There are many differences between weighted blankets. When first looking at the weighted blankets available on the market, they range from homemade specialty items and custom designs to mass production. Some weighted blankets are specifically designed for children, while others are targeted at the adult market.
1. Weight
The first difference is weight .
When choosing a weighted blanket, you need to take one that will be
10% of the weight plus 500 grams - 1 kg.If you are buying for your child who weighs 20 kg, then a 2.5 kg or 3 kg blanket would be ideal.
2. Filler
Another difference is filler , which is what is used to make the duvet heavier. Most companies in the US use rice, polyethylene, plastic granules and more recently glass balls , in Russia buckwheat hulls and plastic balls are used, in Ukraine - Himalayan salt and plastic balls.
Weighted duvet contents affect washability and durability.
The most common weighted duvet fillings are plastic beads on the left, glass beads on the right3. Material
Weighted duvets also differ in the material used (fabric and texture) on the duvet cover or the duvet itself. The sensory experience of covering a blanket is really important if the person using the blanket is sensitive to certain fabrics. A wide choice of fabrics such as cotton, flannel, plush, microfiber, waterproof fabric, etc. will allow you to choose the appropriate option for your child.
Choose something that suits your child's sensory preferences without being too distracting.
The printed cartoon weighted blanket may be too addictive for baby to promote calm and relaxation! Similarly, the fabric should be cozy and soothing, not scratchy and stiff if you want your child to love sleeping under a weighted blanket.
Also available with double coating, eg one side is plush with pimples, the other side is smooth.
4. Color
Sometimes color is important for children with autism. It's good that now there are no problems with this and you can order a blanket of any color, and even on one side - one color, on the back - another color. Buy a duvet with an extra duvet cover. This contributes not only to the durability of the blanket, but also to the change of color if necessary.
Two-color weighted blanket5. Additional options
Another difference between modern weighted blankets is the presence of heating or cooling - heat removal.
What are the benefits of weighted blankets for children with autism?
Often parents who are raising children with autism have to lie with or on them when the children fall asleep. This is deep touch pressure in action.
The weighted blanket causes the same deep pressure, which eliminates the need for many parents to hug their child until he falls asleep!
Better sleep
This is the main reason parents usually buy their child a weighted blanket.
Children with autism often have trouble sleeping, so parents are usually very happy when they learn how a weighted blanket can help.
Weighted blankets due to deep pressure help the body release more serotonin. Serotonin is an important chemical when it comes to feeling calm and stable. Children with autism often have low levels of serotonin.
The release of serotonin not only helps the child feel calmer, but is also necessary for the production of melatonin in the body.
Melatonin, quite simply, is a chemical that your body uses to tell itself it's time for bed. It is usually based on the current sleep schedule. However, because children with autism generally do not produce melatonin very well on their own, it is difficult for them to know when it is time to go to bed
Many parents give their child a melatonin supplement, but an alternative option is to try a weighted blanket.
Another reason a weighted blanket helps improve sleep is that it calms the nervous system and has been shown to reduce anxiety.
Improves the transition between activities
A weighted mat (mini blanket) placed on your knees can be a good way to improve the transition from one activity to another and relieve arousal.
The teacher used a weighted mat in class when the children came home from recess. Often children come in very excited, and it can be difficult to get them to sit down and concentrate. The teacher dimmed the lights and used the blanket for 5-10 minutes to help the children get ready for the lesson.
This rug can also be used in other occasions: at home when your child comes home from school; after playing outside or after a tiring ride.
One of the most difficult transitions that parents of children with autism note is from wakefulness to sleep, that is, getting them to go to sleep. Weighted blankets can be used as bedtime preparations. For example, you can place a weighted blanket over your child while you read a story to them. Thus, a weighted blanket can become a symbol that it's time to get ready for bed.
Sensory Saturation
Although children with autism are not the only ones with sensory processing impairment, a weighted blanket can be an excellent sensory tool.
For many children with ASD or sensory processing disorder (SPD)
, sensing where their body ends can be an important point in developing awareness and body mapping.
In addition to the weight, you can still benefit from the fabric. For example, these points give him an additional sensory input. The soft fabric and the dots and weight of the duvet make it a great choice for satiating. And it's a blanket that you can take with you, whether it's to the movies, to the car, or anywhere else.
Improves behavior in the classroom
One study found that deep sensory pressure had a positive effect on children's behavior when completing 90,066 written 90,067 tasks. Another study found that children with autism behave better at their desks when using a weighted blanket or mat.
