What You Should Know About Sensory Blanket For Autism?

A compassionate embrace's warm and deep pressure can be soothing and pleasant. While knowing you're cared for may provide some relief, the actual act of being held can be pleasant in and of itself.

If you have autism and suffer from sensory overload, a weighted blanket could be a good option for providing steady, soothing pressure throughout the night. Before diving into the vast benefits of weighted blankets Let’s have a look at other techniques that can help with autism.

Autism Therapies

A person with autism may be provided with a variety of therapy. Among them are the following:

• Play therapy

Floortime, integrated playgroups, and JASPER are examples of diverse types of play therapy (Joint Attention Symbolic Play Engagement and Regulation). Emotional, social, and verbal skills can all benefit from play therapy.

• Behavioral therapy:

 This type of therapy can assist people with autism in learning new abilities in a variety of areas, including life skills, communication, and more.

• Occupational therapy

 This sort of therapy assists people with autism in improving their ability to accomplish daily chores.  

• Speech treatment

Speech therapy is more than just speech; it also entails communication. This sort of treatment addresses simple things we take for granted, such as looking another person in the eyes when we talk to them.

People with autism find different methods to help them manage their illness and symptoms in addition to these therapies. Occupational therapists, for example, may suggest a heavier blanket for those with autism.

They can help with sleep difficulties, which are common in persons with autism and are sometimes triggered by worry. Weighted blankets can provide deep pressure stimulation, which can help persons with autism relax and quiet down. This can result in you falling asleep faster, having less waking, and feeling less anxious.

According to a study that looked at the therapeutic effects of weighted blankets on adults with autism, 63 percent of those who took part reported feeling less stressed.

 

 What Are Weighted Blankets?

Weighted blankets have the same appearance as ordinary blankets. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and fabrics. However, unlike regular blankets, a weighted blanket has a filler that ensures an even weight distribution.

The following are examples of common weighted blanket fillers:

• plastic pellets
• glass beads
• bearings (ball)

Weighted blankets range in size from 3 pounds for infants to 35 pounds for adults, depending on the manufacturer. Sleep Better’s weighted blanket has sizes of 15, 20, and 25 pounds.

Can Autistic persons benefit from Weighted Blankets?

Sensory integration theory led to the development of the weighted blanket as a therapy tool for autism. For certain persons who are sensitive to touch, deep pressure may have a relaxing impact on the nervous system.

Autism is characterized by sensory differences. You may be drawn to touch or avoid it. Other sensitivities, such as those involving your other senses and body awareness, may also be present.

Unusual sensations can be unpleasant and painful if you have touch sensitivity. Firm, extensive contact may be more pleasant and even soothing for you.

Touch sensitivity can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including:

• avoiding physical contact
• unwilling to wear or eat particular textures of clothing or food
• dislikes getting their hands drenched in something
• To reduce contact to a minimum, simply use your fingertips to touch things.
• dislikes having his or her skin or hair cleansed

Using weighted blankets, toys, or vests, according to sensory integration theory, can help with hypersensitivity to touch. 

According to Rebecca Jackson, vice president of programs and outcomes and board-certified cognitive specialist for Brain Balance in Cary, North Carolina, how you react to your body with autism may have something to do with the comfort of a weighted blanket.

"Autistic people often have a distorted notion of their ability to sense and feel their own body," she says. "Receptors in each joint in our body send continual impulses to our brain, providing input on position and movement."

Being able to detect your body's position and movements can be reassuring and grounding, according to Jackson, and it gives you more control over your body and reactions.

 

How Weighted Blanket Can Help Autistic Children

A weighted blanket for children with autism can bring various benefits, according to scientific a study,

1.  More restful sleep

Weighted blankets enhance the production of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin and the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin by using deep pressure stimulation. Both of these things can help you sleep better. According to one study, 78 percent of participants preferred sleeping with a weighted blanket because of its relaxing and anti-anxiety properties.

2.  Reduced anxiety

Many children diagnosed with autism often have additional co-occurring problems, such as anxiety. One of the most important advantages of utilizing weighted blankets for autism is their capacity to alleviate anxiety and encourage tranquility.

3.  Concentration and focus will improve.

Deep touch pressure therapy has been shown to improve academic performance in children with autism and ADHD. Autistic children who wore a weighted vest at school had improved concentration and were more likely to complete a task, according to one study.

4.  Reduce the number of meltdowns

Overwhelming stimuli frequently result in meltdowns in children with autism. Crowds, odd noises, darkness, unknown people or places, and so on are examples of this. These moments are frequently misinterpreted as simply bad behavior, whereas in reality, children with autism struggle to comprehend a large amount of new sensory information. 

Covering your child with a weighted blanket when they start to have a meltdown will make them feel safer and more peaceful.

 

The Different Weighted Blankets Available

Weighted blankets are available in a variety of sizes and weights. They could be as little as a few pounds or as heavy as 30 pounds.

You should think about the size of the bed you'll be using it on. What they are filled with, such as glass beads or poly-fill, and how they are constructed in terms of where the weight is placed, are two other variables that might differ from blanket to blanket.

 Our Weighted Blankets are filled with glass beads and come in multiple sizes like 5, 7, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 pounds. When placed on the body, the increased weight is intended to provide a relaxing effect.

 

Choosing a Blanket for a Person with Autism

Because weighted blankets are pricey, you want to make sure you purchase one that the person you're giving it to will enjoy and utilize. Here are some things to think about when looking for the finest weighted blanket for autism. 

If you're shopping for a blanket for an adult with autism, keep these things in mind:

• Weight

Aim for a weight that is equivalent to or near to 10% of the person's total body weight. It's possible that anything lighter won't be than this won’t apply deep pressure enough. And anything heavier could be inconvenient. Keep in mind, though, that this is a matter of personal preference. 

• Stuff

The cloth used to make them can also be a major deciding element. If you're always cold like me, a warmer fabric like fleece or flannel could be preferable. If you become hot easily, a more breathable, lighter fabric, such as organic cotton or linen, may be preferable.

It will assist if you know what temperature they prefer to keep their apartment or house at. Stay away from heavier textiles if it's hot outside because they don't want to utilize much air conditioning. 

• Color

 Choose a neutral color scheme: Blankets come in a variety of colors. Choose a muted color like brown or grey if you don't want to clash with the colors they already have in their bedroom. 

• Washing instructions

Make sure it's easy to clean and constructed of a long-lasting fabric. The simplest way to avoid this is to purchase one with a removable cover, which eliminates the need for them to haul a heavy blanket to the washer. 

If you're looking for a blanket for a child with autism, keep the below points in mind: 

• Consider the pattern

 It may seem like a nice idea to have your child's favorite cartoon character on their blanket. However, before you buy a pattern that is too exciting for your child, keep in mind that it is easy for autistic children to overstimulate their senses. That's the last thing you want to happen immediately before you try to get them to fall asleep. 

• Weight

When looking for weighted blankets for kids, the same 10% weight rule applies. It's tempting to increase the weight to avoid having to change the blanket as they grow larger and heavier. That, however, is a horrible idea. You don't want them to feel suffocated since they won't want to utilize it. 

• Cost

Because children will outgrow their blanket while adults will not, you may wish to choose a less expensive option. You can either give or keep weighted blankets that are no longer heavy enough. They also make excellent blankets for picnics and beach days. They will not be carried away by the wind!

 

Sleep Better’s Weighted blanket is a must-try for Autism

So now as you’ve already come this far and got a perfect insight into the benefits of a Weighted blanket to an autistic person, it’s a piece of clever advice not to miss on grabbing our weighted blanket for your loved one having an Autism disorder. If you want to make their life easy and make them feel good by providing them with comfort and peaceful sleep, you’d immediately add one to the cart.

Try our Sensory Blanket For Autism