How to DIY A Weighted Blanket For Your Child With Autism
Have you ever wondered how to diy a weighted blanket for your child with autism? Weighted items can be an integral part of your at home occupational therapy program. Weighted items like blankets as well as vests have also been proven to reduce anxiety in addition to giving much needed prorioceptive input. This input helps calm the child which will help with sleep. Every autism parent dreams of their child sleeping for hours on end. The common complaint I hear is one that is common with most autism therapies. “I can’t get a weighted blanket for my child because it is so expensive. I have a few viable options for you. There is a no sew version for those less talented folks like me or if you have some sewing experience, one that is much more professional looking but work intensive.
DIY Weighted Blanket Option 1
This is Logan laying on his bed all relaxed with heavy blankets. While you make a blanket, travel, or are just visiting Grandma, this is a viable option. What you do here is find several heavy quilts. When we lived in Florida, I would turn the a/c down super low so he would stay under the blankets. Since moving to Arizona, we have just kept the heat up high so it doesn’t kick on as soon as the temperature drops in the winter and keep the a/c on 68 in the summer. Either way, you want your child to stay under the blankets as long as possible. I like to put several furniture blankets underneath a heavy quilt. Logan is old enough to tell me too much or not enough. I don’t usually have to ask though because as soon as I get to the weight that is good for him, you can see his whole body relax.
DIY Weighted Blanket Option 2
If you have minimal sewing ability as well as a small child then this option is for you. You will need to procure some materials from a local fabric store. Made by Marzipan gives you step by step directions in this video. The great part of this is that you can pick the fabric to match your child’s interests.
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Either option is a fantastic choice to meet your child’s sensory needs. The how you get to the weighted blanket is not as important as the fact that you meet your child’s sensory needs with a weighted blanket. Doing it yourself is just one more way to Afford Autism .
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