Due to the absurdity, many people consider the “myth” of a weighted blanket being beneficial for an autistic child to be wrong.
However, on the contrary, it’s them who are taking the point almost wrongly.
The caring embrace and the warm pressure of a weighted blanket can make your kid calm and happy almost instantly.
Besides, they tend to feel a little bit cared for,, too, especially while snuggling in the same. Hence, in case you were still wondering, buying a weighted blanket is definitely worthwhile.
In any case, we will still share a few benefits of a weighted blanket through this article. See you at the end, then!
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Unlike what you probably thought, a weighted blanket looks almost like any other blanket available on the market. You can find them in various colors and sizes as well.
However, contrary to a standard product, it comes with a filler material that offers an equal distribution of weight and pressure.
The fillers of a weighted blanket may include the following –
- Glass beads,
- Plastic pellets, and
- Ball bearings.
A weighted blanket created solely for a child generally comes with a weight of three pounds or so. Nonetheless, if you are considering buying the same for an adult, you can find products of somewhere around 35 pounds.
Why Should You Invest In A Weighted Blanket?
If we are being honest, the benefits of a weighted blanket may feel entirely psychological at first. However, when it comes to autistic children, it can help them with several aspects. Here are a few that you should definitely know about.
- Due to the extra weight, a weighted blanket can help your child feel supported as well as cared for. It, in turn, can lower their level of anxiety to some extent.
- People who have autism tend to experience bouts of insomnia as well. But, as a weighted blanket makes them feel calm, it may help with their sleeping schedule too.
- Aside from the aforesaid, a weighted blanket can also make you feel snug and cozy while you’re under it. It, in turn, can offer a sense of security to autistic children.
- Due to offering a sense of security, a weighted blanket can also make you feel much calmer than usual. It can make your child feel less moody than before.
Although it’s more subjective, many people have suggested that they tend to feel less pain while snuggling in a weighted blanket. It might happen due to the pressure provided by the product. However, we cannot confirm it as of yet. Other options to improve moods in autistic children include some supplements from sites such as Simple Spectrum which aim to help the healthy growth of brain cells.
If we are being honest, the benefits of a weighted blanket may feel entirely psychological at first.
How To Use A Weighted Blanket?
According to an autism specialist, the weight of a weighted blanket should not be more than 10% of your body mass. For example, if your child weighs around 70 lbs, the product they are using should not be more than seven pounds.
However, in case your kid is too young, we will ask you to follow the 3-pound suggestion for them. You may also try asking your physician about it before making a decision.
Your child should use the weighted blanket only when they are sleeping. Taking it while you are going on a tour can also help manage their anxiety.
Nonetheless, you will need to make sure that your kid is not getting dependent on the blanket. It might affect their sense of freedom in the future.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we have made an accumulation of queries that may come to your mind after reading the article till now. Hopefully, it will help you clarify a few aspects properly.
Is It OK To Use A Weighted Blanket Daily?
Yes, your child can definitely use the blanket as they please. However, as we have said before, you will need to check if they are getting too dependent on it or not.
What Are The Negatives Of Weighted Blankets?
The cons of weighted blankets are pretty low if we’re being honest. However, if you have bought a “little too heavy” model, it might make your chest feel heavy while sleeping.
Conclusion
So, this marks the conclusion of our article. You can judge for yourself the benefits of a weighted blanket. Are there more Pros than Cons? The sure thing is that the weighted blanket should not make you uncomfortable in the bad due to excessive weight.
