Caring Autistic Children

Best weighted blankets for autistic children

Table of contents

• How do weighted blankets work?
• What is the use of weighted blankets?
• What is deep touch pressure stimulation therapy?
• What the original weighted blanket for the autistic community?
• Which weighted blankets are best for kids? Are they safe?
• Weighted Blanket Benefits for Autistic Children.
• What are the benefits of a weighted blanket for kids with autism?
• FAQ -Weighted blanket frequently asked questions?

In this guide, you will find first-hand information about everything, from how weighted blankets work and their composition, to the benefits of scientific support for sleeping under weight, and what is the best weighted blanket for your child. What is the purpose of a weighted blanket, and should you rely on it to support children with autism? Let's explore it.

How do weighted blankets work?

The human body is a very sensitive instrument that responds to touch and pressure. Just as a baby can be soothed when held up, the human body can also be soothed by applying deep pressure stimulation.

 When we use a weighted blanket or vest, the body releases oxytocin in the same way as when we were cuddled or held in infancy. Although some people are willing to be hugged, those with autism or sensory processing problems may not, so this blanket is the ideal way to use it.

What is the use of weighted blankets?

Many adults associate snuggling under a comfortable blanket with a sense of security, which is reminiscent of the "safety blanket" they might have when they were young. Blankets are often referred to by child psychologists as "comfort items"-that is, an item used to relieve depression or anxiety during stress.

An earlier study conducted by Richard Passman, a psychologist and safe object expert, now retired from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, found that approximately 60% of children are in the first three years of life All like toys, blankets or pacifiers.

Recent studies have examined adult attachment to transitional objects, such as blankets and stuffed animals. In a study using a non-clinical community sample of 80 participants, researchers found that people who reported strong attachment to objects were more likely to meet the criteria for borderline personality disorder than those who did not; they also reported More childhood trauma.

The weighted blanket is designed to evoke the same therapeutic effect as the safety blanket by enhancing the feeling of being held, touched, hugged or squeezed.

The science behind the use of weighted blankets is a well-known and proven relaxation therapy that is often used for people with stress and anxiety. It is known by various names, and is often referred to as Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS).

DPS is provided by well-trained practitioners who apply pressure on certain parts of the body to stimulate the so-called parasympathetic nervous system. The nervous system naturally responds to stressful situations by inducing its sympathetic or "alert" state, which can cause anxiety and stress. The parasympathetic nervous system counteracts this sympathetic activation.

DPS and weighted blankets can stimulate the parasympathetic response. When the parasympathetic nervous system starts to work, it can instill a sense of calm and slow down many autonomic nervous functions of the body. There is also a psychological calming effect, similar to being trapped in your favorite duvet on a cold winter night, knowing that you are not affected by the outside world.

Weighted blankets can help adults and children with sensory processing disorders feel calmer and more relaxed. People with this disorder have difficulty processing sensory information such as texture, sound, smell, taste, brightness, and movement.

These difficulties can overwhelm ordinary situations, interfere with daily life, and even isolate individuals and their families. Sensory integration therapy uses activity in a way that aims to change the brain's response to various stimuli.

For children who are highly anxious or awakened due to feeling overloaded, deep pressure can also be beneficial. According to research, the application of deep pressure provided by a weighted vest or blanket can have a calming or relaxing effect on children suffering from certain clinical conditions with certain sensory processing problems.

What is deep touch pressure stimulation therapy?

Deep contact pressure stimulation therapy produces a calming effect by applying direct pressure to the human body. Stress produces and releases serotonin, also known as happiness chemical, which is a hormone essential to our health and can help people feel relaxed.

Weighted blankets exert deep contact pressure on the person who uses them. As the pressure on the blanket increases, the human body releases more serotonin. The more serotonin produced and released, the better a person’s feelings.

It has been found that deep touch pressure stimulation can help people with the following diseases:

•General insomnia
•Anxiety •Frustrated
•Restless legs syndrome
•Autism Spectrum Disorder
•ADHD
•Post-traumatic stress disorder
•Obsessive-compulsive disorder

In 2015, researchers found that participants who slept on a weighted blanket sleep more peacefully. The deep touch pressure from the blanket helped participants fall asleep faster. This makes them feel safer and toss and turn less throughout the night.

Anxiety, autism, and depression can affect a person’s sleep, which is why many mental health experts recommend weighted blankets.

What the original weighted blanket for the autistic community?

The weighted blanket originated in the autism community. Family members with special needs will make quilted squares to add extra weight to the child’s blanket. Over time, caregivers started experimenting with homemade weighting materials, from corn to popcorn seeds to beans.

In the end, Eastsure weighted blankets began to be made of organic cotton, which is a revolutionary technology. The cotton thread distributes weight evenly throughout the blanket to allow deep touch pressure stimulation to work.

The effect of a weighted blanket can be seen on children or adults with autism. Users need to have a blanket that fits their body size. A standard rule of thumb is that the weighted blanket should be 10% of a person's body weight.

Which weighted blankets are best for kids? Are they safe?

Before choosing a weighted blanket for your child, you should consult your pediatrician or family doctor. For some young people with sleep difficulties, weighted blankets may not be as effective as other strategies, such as establishing and adhering to a strict bedtime or avoiding drinking water for a few hours before going to bed.

For children 3 years or older and weighing at least 50 pounds, weighted blankets are generally considered safe. When choosing a blanket for your child, it is wise to follow the "10% rule", otherwise you will go wrong. Overweight blankets may put children at risk of injury, even if they are three years old or older.

Our weighted blankets are specially designed for children. The weight of a child's weighted blanket is between 3 and 10 pounds. If your child weighs more than 100 pounds, a blanket for adults or children may be more suitable.

Likewise, before deciding which blanket (if any) is the most effective sleep strategy for your child, talk to your family doctor first.

Eastsure Children Embracer

 Ultra soft, calm cuddles

 Made from all natural organic cotton

 Helps little minds to switch off & rest

Detective Dream

Weighted Blanket Benefits for Autistic Children

Will weighted blankets help children with autism?

A 1999 study found that the deep pressure exerted by the hug machine showed that the tension and anxiety of children with ASD was significantly reduced.

A 2014 study in Pediatrics found no conclusive evidence that weighted blankets help children with autism sleep. However, researchers report that children with autism and their caregivers like to heavier blankets.

According to the Journal of Autism Parenting, research has shown that deep pressure stimulation of aggravated blankets can help children with ASD in the following ways:
•Decreasing floating anxiety
•Increasing happiness due to higher serotonin levels
•Improving social interactions
•Decreasing sensory processing problems and hypersensitivity
•Lowering the risk of seizures
•Improving change tolerance
•Decreasing the risk of self-injury
•Increasing feelings of calmness

Weighting blankets are often used for children with autism, so much so that they are often referred to as autism blankets. Deep pressure stimulation from the blanket is believed to improve children’s cognitive function, help them fall asleep, and reduce the number of crashes caused by sensory processing disorders.

What are the benefits of a weighted blanket for kids with autism?

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 the weight of the blanket is about 10% of the individual’s weight plus a few pounds.

Can a weighted blanket be too heavy?

Yes, if the weight is too large, it is possible. Children should be able to remove the blanket without assistance.

What size weighted blanket should I get?

Comfort while sleeping is very important, so for sleeping blankets, the blanket should cover the user's feet, legs and abdomen. For daytime or general sensory blankets, the size can be smaller. A few things to keep in mind when considering young children are the size of the bed and the adaptation to growth.

Do weighted blankets really work?

Many parents answered yes. Many of the products mentioned contain reviews and parents comment on their effectiveness.

We also explored scientific research in this area:
A research evaluation involving Temple Grandin published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy showed that the use of deep pressure stimulation can significantly reduce anxiety.

Similar studies on ADHD and sleep problems have concluded that the use of ball blankets "is a relevant and effective treatment that can minimize the latency to fall asleep."

How do I choose a weighted blanket?

If you are finding it difficult to choose, we put together some tips of things to consider before buying.

What is the best weighted blanket for kids?

First and foremost, always check with your child’s physician before allowing them to use a weighted blanket. Some kids respond well to the deep pressure touch, but for others, other sleep remedies will be more effective.

Weighted blankets are generally considered safe for children three and older who weigh at least 50 pounds. A blanket that is too heavy can cause injuries, so a blanket that weighs no more than 10% of your child is considered the safest bet. Eastsure brands offer weighted blankets specifically designed for children, so we suggest starting with these models.

How do you wash a weighted blanket?

Washing a weighted blanket should be as simple as using a blanket. Unlike many other weighted blankets that require dry cleaning, Eastsure weighted blankets can be cleaned and maintained at home. All of our weighted blankets are machine washable.

We recommend washing separately in cold or warm water (up to 90 °F), choosing a delicate or permanent ironing cycle.

If you have one of our heavier 20 Ib weighted blankets and an older washing machine (such as a top loader with a center column agitator), it is best to use a larger heavy-duty washing machine to wash the weighted blankets at the laundromat. This will ensure that the weight and knitting on the old machine will not be too hard. Once again, a gentle cycle is the best!

Here are a few do’s and don’ts of washing your blanket.

Are weighted blankets good for everyone?

Although weighted blankets are generally considered safe, some people should consult their doctor before using them for the first time. This includes people with asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic breathing or circulation problems.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may also wish to avoid using aggravated blankets because the extra pressure can restrict airflow and exacerbate snoring, gasping episodes, and other symptoms of the condition. In addition, those who feel claustrophobic may not find aggravated blankets to relax or sleep like others.

What weighted blankets are best for side sleepers?

Sleep position doesn’t play a major role in your experience with a weighted blanket. As long as the blanket’s weight corresponds to your own and the materials don’t sleep too warm, you could conceivably use the same weighted blanket on your side, back, or stomach and feel equally comfortable. That said, combination sleepers may have a difficult time changing positions with the added weight.

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