Our Weighted Blankets
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.