Weighted Blankets

So many times I'm asked, "What are a few things that you would purchase if you are starting a Special Needs Ministry but have no budget?" Since there are so many things I would suggest, I thought I'd put them on this blog for you. I'll post them up here as I think about them so let's start with the weighted blanket.

If you're like me, you love when the weather turns cold and you can cuddle up under a big blanket and watch your favorite movie. The bulkiness of the blanket on a cold day brings immediate relief to my body. I could be in the worst mood feeling dreary and down but put me under a big comfy blanket and I'm in heaven.

This is similar to how a lot of our autistic and sensory kids feel about the weighted blanket. When they're unable to regain control or feel like their skin is crawling, the weighted blanket can bring them back to a sense of peace. This past weekend we had a child who was very upset and was starting to become physically agitated. Once we were able to get him under control (by using our own physical strength), we placed a weighted blanket on him. It was as if someone had given him a shot of a relaxation medicine...he calmed right down and was actually able to focus on what we were saying. The pressure from the blanket gave him his control back. From that point on, when he felt himself losing control, he would grab the blanket and sit down for a bit. The blanket helped him find his own coping mechanism.

If you google "weighted blankets" you can find them all over. We have a lady in our area who makes cute weighted blankets so she's a good resource for our families. I'm sure there are other moms in your area who make them or could make them if you show them one as a pattern.