Gage says, “I like it how I like it!”
Our first giveaway at Support for Special Needs is something that may not be familiar to folks so I wanted to explain it a bit more here.
A weighted blanket is like a regular blanket (in this case a fleece one) only it has weights sewn into it — light weights — so that it has more of a “hug” feel. So it gives you the pressure you might find from piling a bunch of comforters on your bed but it won’t get you overheated. Children (and adults) who crave that extra stimulation find a weighted blanket more soothing than a typical blanket and many people with sensory issues or anxiety are calmed by lying under one. (A friend of my sister said that she really likes the feel of the weighted lead apron you get at the dentist when they’re taking x-rays — she would like a blanket like this!)
Julia discovered the blanket when another blogger told her to get one for Gage and he does indeed love it (see pic!) and they just traded up to a heavier one as he’s gotten bigger.
This is a great giveaway and it’s also set the standard for the kinds of giveaways we’re planning to do: Useful, helpful, supportive and will actually make your life or your kids’ lives better! We plan to do at least one formal giveaway a week (and we’ll do mini giveaways, too) to keep things hopping and fun over there.
The site also offers live chats and support groups with message boards. Any site member can create a group, which can be public or private. We hope to also reach out to smaller organizations who need a way to share information with their members and invite them to create private groups that will let them do this without challenging their resources.
We are also working hard on creating great, useful content and have lined up interviews with a diverse list of professionals, experts, activists and authors. Julia’s goal is to create a place where parents can get answers and support whatever their children’s specific challenges. We created state groups to encourage people to reach out beyond their children’s diagnoses and begin thinking of themselves as part of a larger movement advocating for their families.
Please check out the site and tell your friends, families and acquaintances who might be interested. We would also love for you to follow us on Twitter or on Facebook!!
Love it all! My friend has an adopted son with some sensory issues. She found this to be incredibly helpful with sleep- which you know effects everything else! Great item, great site!
We love our weighted blanket it has been a great sleep aid for our daughter. She has had it for about four years now. Our’s came from DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. They give away a custom weighted blanket each month. You can enter at their website at http://www.weightedblanket.net.
A weighted blanket sounds very uncomfortable to me, who hates heavy blankets. Seems a very strange idea.
My grandmother made quilts that happened to have a heavy lining. My mom and her sisters referred to them as “lead aprons” and never liked them, but I loved them, so I’ve since taken over the family collection. Even in the summer, I just get rid of the sheet underneath and it maintains a comfortable, cool temperature. It never occure to me that there might be a scientific reason for this.
I love the information about weighted blankets etc. I have recently (not too recently) started my own company making weighted vests and blankets as I had a great amount of difficulty finding what I needed for my son. It’s interesting to read what comments there are about how they work and how beneficial they are that aren’t coming from a direct sales-ptich or link!
“A weighted blanket sounds very uncomfortable to me, who hates heavy blankets. Seems a very strange idea.”
I’m coming late to the party here, but Maryanne, if you’re still reading, I’ll try to explain.
I’m an adult with sensory integration problems, and I use a weighted blanket. To me, the feel of a normal blanket is unpleasantly insubstantial. It kind of tickles, and it feels like it’s going to fly away. (I know intellectually that it isn’t going to, but it’s an annoying physical sensation, especially when you’re trying to sleep.) A weighted blanket is far more pleasant with my sensory stuff, and I can understand why it would lessen anxiety, because it’s easier to feel that you’re actually under covers. Without the extra weight, I feel kind of… out there.
I’m not sure if that will make any sense to someone who is normal sensory-wise. My point is… you probably will just need to accept that it feels different for us. I agree that it wouldn’t work for you, that’s cool, no need for you to use it. For those of us who do use it, though, it’s NOT uncomfortable. It actually feels good. I wish these blankets were easier to find, and I think it’s great to make them more accessible.
Hello, I also make weighted sensory items.I have been told by a lot of my many customers that these really help in many ways.One day I will make one for myself and give it a try.We will also be giving away free items to help many parents as well.
I do not however use fleece on mine as it gets very hot with the weight and it is not the heat you need from the fleece it is the weight you need to make it work.As in weighted blankets.I get a lot of customers asking me to make a cotton one as the last one they bought is out of fleece and they are finding them far too hot.please make sure the weighted blanket is used properly so that they are safe.
take care everyone!
Val