Sensory Integration: Weighted Blankets
By: Delaney Dumoulin, Noelle Di Iorio & Chelsea Fraser
What is a Weighted Blanket?
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Who will benefit from Weighted Blankets?
Deep pressure has been found to help reduce signs of anxiety. Blankets can help soothe anxiety, depression, attention disorders, sleep problems, and other health concerns. Weighted blankets have been widely used by occupational therapists working with children with ASD. Behaviours that have been highlighted as in need of deep pressure are trying to get into very small places, placing hands on one’s head, headbanging and stamping of feet. These are some behaviours we tend to see in children with ASD, therefore making weight blankets beneficial for these symptoms children with ASD have.
Deep pressure has been found to help reduce signs of anxiety. Blankets can help soothe anxiety, depression, attention disorders, sleep problems, and other health concerns. Weighted blankets have been widely used by occupational therapists working with children with ASD. Behaviours that have been highlighted as in need of deep pressure are trying to get into very small places, placing hands on one’s head, headbanging and stamping of feet. These are some behaviours we tend to see in children with ASD, therefore making weight blankets beneficial for these symptoms children with ASD have.
Professionals say...
From our research, we have seen both positive and negative evaluation of weighted blankets. Considering the information we have gained from both Bestbier & Williams (2017) and Mullen et al., (2008), results showed a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the calmness of participants who used weighted blankets.
However, considering the negative evaluation done by professionals, research is still necessary in order to determine the aspect of safety when considering different medical conditions. As well as, research focused on determining the needs and preferences of individuals who have autism spectrum disorder, anxiety or depression (Mullen et al., 2008).
Usefulness
There are many uses for weighted blankets. Weighted blankets can help increase calmness, engagement, responsivity, happiness and communication in children with ASD, or severe intellectual disability as shown in Bestbier & Williams (2017) study. In this study, half of the participants showed improvements in calmness, engagement, responsivity, happiness and communication. One-quarter of participants only showed improvements in calmness and communication. Two of the participants did not show any improvements from the pressure of the weighted blanket. Although this study was conducted with a small sample size, the results are hopeful for the use of weighted blankets to help students with ASD and intellectual disabilities.
Weighted blankets are thought to be rewarding, reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and improve performance in school. Weighted blankets can be used as a treatment for children with ASD. As weighted blankets provide a natural alternative or addition to treat behaviours of autism. They can also be used alongside other treatment methods.
Weighted blankets can also be used to help individuals achieve better sleep, improve focus and academic performance, and calm meltdown frequency. Children with autism commonly have sleeping problems. These weighted blankets help children sleep better as they allow the body to release serotonin which is a chemical needed in order to create melatonin. Melatonin helps people sleep and children with ASD are usually lacking melatonin. Otherwise, using these blankets can help children get better sleep. Weighted blankets can be used in a child’s pre-bedtime routine to help calm the child and decrease anxiety levels. Weighted blankets can help reduce self-stimulatory behaviours which are behaviours such as fidgeting that can cause distraction in a child’s focus. Giving students weighted blankets can help stop these behaviours.
Weighted blankets can help students with ASD in transition periods. As students with ASD have difficulty with changes in schedule or transition periods, weighted blankets can help as the deep pressure of the blanket can help calm anxiety and moods to help ease the transition period.
Weighted blankets can indirectly help academic performance as it can help with sleeping patterns, anxiety, transitionary periods, and moods. All of these things can affect one’s academic performance and therefore weighted blankets indirectly can affect a student’s academic performance.
Accessibility
You can find weighted blankets at department stores, bedding shops, mass merchandisers, online on shopping sites as well as sites for people with special needs. There are also some companies that will make a custom weighted blanket on demand.
The Cost
Weighted blankets are not cheap, as they sell anywhere from $70-$300. The price varies greatly because the larger the blanket is in size, the heavier it is and the higher the quality of materials, the greater the cost. Depending on the need of the student, the school board will fund the incorporation of weighted blankets and vests (Thomson, 2018).
Weighted blankets are not cheap, as they sell anywhere from $70-$300. The price varies greatly because the larger the blanket is in size, the heavier it is and the higher the quality of materials, the greater the cost. Depending on the need of the student, the school board will fund the incorporation of weighted blankets and vests (Thomson, 2018).
Improvements
There are a lot of factors we must take into consideration before bringing weighted blankets into the classroom as a sensory integration resource. The cost, weight and hygiene of these blankets need to be taken into consideration before using this resource. There are different weight requirements of blankets for each student so these blankets could not be used for more than one student. As well as, for hygienic purposes, students would not be able to share blankets or the blankets would have to be washed after every use.
There are a lot of factors we must take into consideration before bringing weighted blankets into the classroom as a sensory integration resource. The cost, weight and hygiene of these blankets need to be taken into consideration before using this resource. There are different weight requirements of blankets for each student so these blankets could not be used for more than one student. As well as, for hygienic purposes, students would not be able to share blankets or the blankets would have to be washed after every use.
References
Ames, C. (2019). WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A WEIGHTED BLANKET FOR AUTISM?. Harkla. Retrieved from: https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/weighted-blanket-autism
Bestbier, L., & Williams, T. (2017). The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences. Occupational Therapy International, 2017(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7534972
Daily, L. (2019). “Weighted blankets might ease insomnia and anxiety. Here’s what to know before buying one”, The Washington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/weighted-blankets-might-ease-insomnia-and-anxiety-heres-what-to-know-before-buying-one/2019/01/18/71b1aefa-1a6f-11e9-8813-cb9dec761e73_story.html
Mullen, B., Champagne, T., Krishnamurty, S., Dickson, D., & Gao, R. (2008). Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 24(1), 65–89. https://doi.org/10.1300/J004v24n01_05
Thomson, G. (2018) Supporting Autism in Classrooms with Different Strategies. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from: https://www.aoda.ca/supporting-autism-in-classrooms/
Werner, M. (2020). Benefits of Weighted Blankets for Autism. Ghostbed. Retrieved from: https://www.ghostbed.com/education/benefits-of-weighted-blankets-for-autism/
Image of Weighted Blanket. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgravityblankets.com%2Fproducts%2Fgravity-blanket&psig=AOvVaw3mY7kj20yeBSYPKbB1Pxgf&ust=1585946676995000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNCC4fTNyugCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
well done- great information! Thanks for sharing
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