How Weighted Blankets Benefit Kids with Special Needs<\/h3>\n
Have you ever heard of weighted blankets<\/a><\/span>? These revolutionary tools provide pressure and sensory input, similar to a good hug.<\/strong> They are made of plastic pellets, evenly distributed in a quilted pattern in order to provide a widespread sensation of pressure. Studies have proven that the pressure provided by hugs or weighted tools enables the release of serotonin, a hormone that calms and relaxes the body. It also stimulates oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feeling of contentment and willingness of social bonding, among others.<\/p>\n This sensation is particularly valuable for individuals affected by autism and other sensory seeking individuals.<\/strong> They can use weighted blankets as a calming tool or simply as a regular blanket at night. During the day, you can try using it when you feel anxious, aggressive or just want to be comfortable. Sit and wrap yourself in your blanket or lay down and stay there a few minutes to hours, as long as you feel the benefits. At night, weighted blankets used in place of regular blankets will help your child go to sleep faster and stay asleep better.<\/p>\n Pay attention to buy a washable blanket made with non-toxic materials,<\/a> as it is not always the case.<\/strong> As for the color, your child may appreciate the calming effect of solid blue. Some blankets have the ability to be warmed in your dryer or cooled in your freezer, thus providing the additional benefit of adapting to your child\u2019s favorite temperature. Fringes can provide additional sensory input too, enabling the person to run their fingers around and play with them. The suggested blanket weight is 10% of your weight plus 1 pound, but it is best to check with your physician or therapist.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Weighted vests and weighted lap pads are also on the market, providing a different kind of pressure for sensory seeking individuals. Find your favorite weighted tool today!<\/p>\n Has your family had experience with weighted blankets? What do you think of them? Leave a comment in the box below.\u00a0<\/p>\n Calming Effects of Deep Touch Pressure in Patients with Autistic Disorder, College Students, and Animals<\/a><\/span> Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”#b4dbc0″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl9hcmNoaXZlIn19@” image=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” icon_placement=”left” image_max_width=”100px” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”image,title” header_font=”Rubik|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#44465f” header_font_size=”14px” header_line_height=”32px” body_font=”Rubik||||||||” body_text_color=”rgba(0,6,69,0.6)” body_link_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_color_all_image=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”20px” box_shadow_blur_image=”40px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(68,70,95,0.27)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jolene Philo is the author of the\u00a0Different Dream\u00a0series for parents of kids with special needs. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. She\u2019s also the creator and host of the\u00a0Different Dream website.\u00a0Sharing Love Abundantly With Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages\u00ae for Parents Raising\u00a0Children with Disabilities<\/a>, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and\u00a0at Amazon.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#EBDCB2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#42313A” background_color_gradient_end=”#EBDCB2″ background_color_gradient_direction=”159deg” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#1c1259″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”25px|0px|5px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”horizontal_optin_column_1″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_text_align=”right” header_text_color=”#45107a” header_3_font=”Dancing Script|700|||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#B4DBC0″ header_3_font_size=”45px” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”JolenePhilo|89f719a52b” layout=”bottom_top” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_field=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” module_class=”custom_emailoptin” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ form_field_focus_background_color=”#42313A” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#B4DBC0″ button_border_width=”2px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_margin=”5px||||false|false” button_custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all_fields=”2px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_font=”EB Garamond|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#B6452C” header_font_size=”50px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”current” show_more=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_text_color=”#42313A” meta_font=”||on||||||” read_more_font=”|||on|||||” read_more_text_color=”#B6452C” read_more_font_size=”12px” pagination_text_color=”#B6452C” pagination_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Weighted blankets are very popular for kids on the autism spectrum & with sensory issues. This post explains exactly how weighted blankets benefit kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Weighted vests and weighted lap pads are also on the market, providing a different kind of pressure for sensory seeking individuals. Find your favorite weighted tool today!<\/p>\n Has your family had experience with weighted blankets? What do you think of them? Leave a comment in the box below. And come back in 2 weeks when Special Needs Essentials is back to host a give away here at Different Dream.<\/p>\n\n![\"weighted](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/turtle_2_1_WB__31163.1418766062.500.750-1-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ![\"weighted](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Screen-Shot-2015-01-19-at-3.13.12-PM-1-128x150.png\")
<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ![\"weighted](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/two_sided_blue_blanekt_1_1_WB__43272.1418766152.500.750-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Weighted](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Special-Needs-Essentials-Logo-Company-1.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a>Special Needs Essentials<\/a><\/span> is dedicated to offering essential materials that can enhance the quality of life for people with special needs, their families, and their support communities. SNE specializes in educational, therapeutic, play to learn, living aids, and sensory products. The intent of these skill-builders varies and includes providing sensory input, improving motor function, increasing cognitive development, and providing daily living assistance. Overall, SNE intends to enhance developmental skills in individuals of all abilities.<\/em><\/p>\nYour Take on Weighted Blankets?<\/h3>\n
Read more about the research behind weighted blankets at these links:<\/h4>\n
Serotonin and Prefrontal Cortex Function: Neurons, Networks, and Circuits Molecular Neurobiology<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSubscribe for Updates from Jolene<\/h3>\n
Related Posts<\/h1>\n
![\"Weighted](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Screen-Shot-2015-01-19-at-3.12.43-PM-1.png\")
<\/a>\n\nToday's guest post comes from the people at Special Needs Essentials, a website that specializes in products and resources for special needs families. Today's post explains how weighted blankets benefit kids with special needs.\u00a0 <\/em>\nHow Weighted Blankes Benefit Kids with Special Needs<\/h3>\nHave you ever heard of weighted blankets<\/a>? These revolutionary tools provide pressure and sensory input, similar to a good hug.<\/strong> It is made of plastic pellets, evenly distributed in a quilted pattern in order to provide a widespread sensation of pressure. Studies have proven that the pressure provided by hugs or weighted tools enables the release of serotonin, a hormone that calms and relaxes the body. It also stimulates oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feeling of contentment and willingness of social bonding, among others.\n\nThis sensation is particularly valuable for individuals affected by autism and other sensory seeking individuals.<\/strong> They can use weighted blankets as a calming tool or simply as a regular blanket at night. During the day, you can try using it when you feel anxious, aggressive or just want to be comfortable. Sit and wrap yourself in your blanket or lay down and stay there a few minutes to hours, as long as you feel the benefits. At night, weighted blankets used in place of regular blankets will help your child go to sleep faster and stay asleep better.\n\nPay attention to buy a washable blanket made with non-toxic materials,<\/a> as it is not always the case.<\/strong> As for the color, your child may appreciate the calming effect of solid blue. Some blankets have the ability to be warmed in your dryer or cooled in your freezer, thus providing the additional benefit of adapting to your child\u2019s favorite temperature. Fringes can provide additional sensory input too, enabling the person to run their fingers around and play with them. The suggested blanket weight is 10% of your weight plus 1 pound, but it is best to check with your physician or therapist.\n
<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Special Needs Essentials<\/a> is dedicated to offering essential materials that can enhance the quality of life for people with special needs, their families, and their support communities. SNE specializes in educational, therapeutic, play to learn, living aids, and sensory products. The intent of these skill-builders varies and includes providing sensory input, improving motor function, increasing cognitive development, and providing daily living assistance. Overall, SNE intends to enhance developmental skills in individuals of all abilities.<\/em><\/p>\n\nYour Take on Weighted Blankets?<\/h3>\n
Read more about the research behind weighted blankets at these links:<\/h4>\nCalming Effects of Deep Touch Pressure in Patients with Autistic Disorder, College Students, and Animals<\/a>\nSerotonin and Prefrontal Cortex Function: Neurons, Networks, and Circuits Molecular Neurobiology<\/a>\n\nDo you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em>","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[3587,3559,3561],"tags":[98,3965,3966,3967,3968],"class_list":["post-11126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books-and-resources","category-different-dream","category-special-needs-parenting","tag-autism","tag-deborah-grauzam","tag-sensory-sensitivity","tag-special-needs-essentials","tag-weighted-blankets"],"yoast_head":"\n