Weighted blankets are one of the most effective tools for
helping those difficult to calm down, high energy sensory kids.
Does your child have a difficult time unwinding, relaxing,
and calming his/her body for sleep? Then, weighted blankets may be just what
"the doctor ordered!"
These blankets come in a variety of sizes, colors, styles
and weights and can be used for toddlers through adults. Many companies have
even gotten quite creative in their designs, making giant weighted animals,
backpacks, and wrap arounds!
Do you or your child find yourself shaking your feet/legs,
piling stuffed animals, pillows or layers of blanket/comforters on top of you,
or enjoy sleeping in a mummy-type sleeping bag to drift off to and get a good
night's sleep? Is it hard to get your body to relax and in a comfortable
position for sleep?
Then weighted blankets can help!!
Children or adults with sensory processing disorders,
particularly with tactile or proprioceptive dysfunction, have a need for the
deep pressure input weighted blankets provide.
Children with excessively high energy levels find these
blankets or weighted lap pads soothing for bedtime or throughout the day. They
can bring one to school for quiet times. They can wrap them around their
shoulders or whole body, or place them on their lap during desk work and
reading times for the extra calming deep pressure input their bodies crave.
Weighted blankets are a simple solution to what often
appears to be complex attention, calming, or sleeping difficulties. Give
your child the input he/she needs and watch "miracles" happen.
Once you try one, you will never believe there was a time
you attempted to survive without one!
You see, one of the most commonly used and
"prescribed" therapeutic interventions in the Occupational Therapy
world is the use of weighted products and treatments that involve what we call
"heavy work", proprioceptive input, and deep pressure. The
therapeutic use of weight and "deep pressure" to the muscles, joints,
tendons and ligaments allows the central nervous system to better interpret and
integrate both tactile (sense of touch) and proprioceptive (sense of movement,
body position, and pressure) input.
This therapeutic concept and particular treatment is used in
schools, clinics, homes, and communities world wide. The use of weight and deep
pressure is at the core of almost all OT treatments for SPD. It is safe,
effective, and can make enormous differences in these children! Their families
rejoice and daily life becomes more tolerable, physically calm, and emotionally
regulated.
Specifically, weighted products are used for several reasons
with children who do not properly process sensory stimuli/input. The 3 main
reasons are:
1. to improve body awareness
2. to calm and improve attention and focus
3. to decrease sensory seeking behaviors
For many children and families, weighted blankets are
"life-saving" devices. With weighted vests, blankets, neck
wraps, and lap pads, a child who...
...self abuses, may stop.
...can't fall asleep without excessive help, or stay asleep,
may FINALLY get the proper rest.
...can not stand or sit still long enough to learn or complete
a task, will.
...is constantly touching other people and/or breaking
things, may stop.
...exhibits acting out, fearful, or aggressive behaviors
when certain sensory stimuli is presented, may not.
...is distracted and unorganized, may become focused.
...throws tantrums when in loud, busy, public places, may
become calm.
...can not successfully transition from one activity to
another without distress, may finally be able to.
Think about it; from the very first minutes we enter this
new loud, bright, bustling world, we are instantly soothed by pressure as a
nurse tightly swaddles us in a blanket. This is PROVEN to be comforting to a
vulnerable, undeveloped nervous system. This is what we also are trying to
achieve!
As older children or adults with SPD, we may still need to
be tightly wrapped to calm our over aroused nervous system down. Let me give
you an example... did you know this even works well for individuals with mental
illness (and probably undiagnosed SPD to boot)? Full body restraints are
exactly what a person may need to calm themselves down, therefore they
"act out" (consciously or unconsciously). I have literally been told
by teenagers in locked wards that they purposely behave in away that gets them
put into full body wraps/restraints because it "feels good" and they
"finally feel in control". The deep pressure is what they need to
feel "normal" and/or grounded. With the restraint/wrap, the calming
effect their nervous system was needing washes over them.
But, I say... why WAIT until it gets to that point? Weighted
products are all about PREVENTION... being proactive BEFORE we see the
behavior! In these cases, "pressure" is good! Deep pressure will
calm and soothe an over-aroused, disorganized, or "fearful" nervous
system. Why put a child in a restraint, discipline him for something that is
not his fault and he can't control, or give him medicine when it may not even
be necessary (or helpful)? We want you to know, there ARE other options!
IF recommended by an Occupational Therapist who has done a
proper evaluation... why WOULDN'T a parent try weight first? Weighted blankets,
vests, and other weighted products are a therapeutic miracle for so many. And,
they are non-invasive, socially acceptable, inconspicuous and convenient...
what a wonderful way to have immediate, accessible therapy with you wherever
you are! THIS is a gift, a lifesaver! They are an incredible way to bring
therapy right into your home, school, or community when it is THEN that you
need the most help.
Our children are crying out and telling us EXACTLY what they
need... we just need to pay attention and educate ourselves on the options we
have to help them! Weighted products are one.
