Weighted Blankets/Doonas and other Sensory Products

A.J. with Laura chilling out together

Finding the correct and appropriate products that will suit and benefit you, the consumer, (or more importantly your child), on a personal level, may at times be hard to source.

I personally know and understand the struggle, when first learning of sensory issues with A.J. I was confused by all the different things out there, how to use them, and if they were really worth it.

Searching for the tried-and-true products that will actually aid and assist to help calm and settle our kids during their most vulnerable Melt-Down moments, and not cost the earth.

Luckily for me I am very crafty, and willing to throw myself into the sewing room and give anything a go.

The first product we tried and were a great hit with A.J. was the basic lavender/wheat heat pillows.

Wanting to find a way to keep him warm, during his "I'm cold...." moments,  and not liking the idea of the old fashioned hot-water-bottles, I adapted the lavender/wheat heat-pillow into a larger size to accommodate his need.

The result being, I realised he was also using it in the form of a weighted blanket by laying two on his chest and torso, while gaining the added benefit of the heat he was seeking.

Progress, Development, Future prospects, Proposals.....

Over the years since I began to promote awareness and provide help, supports, and a better understanding, for ASD and Special Needs kids, I have come into contact and met with many different people from many different areas, covering all aspects from parents/families/carers, to service providers, and everything in between.

Many hours spent and many meetings have been held, all for the purpose of searching and researching the best ways to help our kids, for my child, and all those I have connected with within our community, as well as others from a far distance through our Facebook pages.

The next step to understanding the Senses....

Taking a closer look at our seven senses, by breaking down each group to better understand what they do, and what each one means for an ASD and Sensory Processing diagnosis.

It is easy to overlook the concept of our Sensory system in everyday life, no-one really specifically takes notice or acknowledges how every dynamic can effect our natural reactions to daily actions.

The benefits of Weighted Blankets.

quilt design option 

Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS) refers to the application of a tactile stimulus to help provide the feeling sensations received from a firm hug, cuddle, squeeze, stroking motion, or massage. The calming element to settle nerves and emotional wellbeing.

The use of specific weighted products help to give the same deep pressure massaging effect in a non-invasive manner to help release Melatonin, Serotonin and Endorphins, the hormones that regulate various human functions such as sleep, appetite and mood.

Serotonin produce a calming action, sending soothing messages between nerve cells;

Endorphins are "Happy" stimulators with natural pain-killing substances;

Both bring pleasurable feelings, elevated moods and calmness of body and mind.

Melatonin is a substance regulating circadian rhythms to control sleep patterns, hormone release, body temperature, and other human functions.

Homework - Am I doing the right thing???!!!!

A.J. and Myself,

we have a great bond together

I am just another person, no-one special, someone taking each day as it comes, facing the same issues as everyone else, at times struggling to make ends meet, and definitely with no idea of what is going to present itself tomorrow or the next day.

At times we have, and still do, struggle to understand the whole picture of what A.J. has been and is still going through; and with his additional needs, why it had been so hard to gain those much needed supports early on, fighting for every piece of assistance and understanding.

For that very reason I stepped up and did what any loving caring 'parent' would do and sought out whatever he needed, gaining anything and everything that I thought would help to better his chances to be an active participant in "Life".

Some Days are a Struggle...

A.J. relaxing after a long day of therapies

Why is it so hard for us to gain official understanding of what our kids go through.

Why is it so hard for the bureaucratic officials in their high-end offices, the same ones that are not even fully qualified or experienced in these areas, to truly understand the day-to-day struggles and torment our kids face.

I am at the moment so angry and stressed.

After fighting for years to have someone give acknowledgement A.J. needed additional help, fighting by myself to find the right direction, struggling to seek the right services required, to start down the pathway of understanding and supports, taking till he was almost 10 years old before the links were finally placed and the 'official diagnosis' of Autism Spectrum Disorder given.

Fighting again and again to gain help through the official channels, for recognition as to A.J. having an actual diagnosed Disability, to help him source funding for his much needed services and medications, etc.

Then taking till this year for those pieces finally reaching and connecting with those much needed additional supports and

assistance, by linking to NDIS and more services that will help A.J. come out of the fog, gaining understanding and progress within himself.

What is SPD.... Sensory Processing Disorder????

helping to gain harmony within the seven senses 

When 'explaining' our child has ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, (or - is Autistic), there are still many people who will state they have no idea or knowledge regarding the exact specifics or understanding of the diagnosis/disability.

Then explaining the additional conditions the main cause of underlying concerns, it may confuse them even more.

*Noting* I know, most Autistics or family members don't like to label ASD as a disability, and in the general sense I can agree, although there are moments, like this, when it's the best way to explain the full extend of what ASD represents.

In general many have come to accept the term .... "Special Needs", this covering all areas of their diagnosis.

To help newcomers and novices better understand what they're beginning to encounter, or for some of us 'old-hats' at the game, to refresh our minds about a few things we may have forgotten, or to help with a new issue that may have recently arisen, etc, I will begin by reviewing the different dynamics of Autism.