How Weighted Blankets Can Help Kids With Autism: An Expert’s Opinion

For autistic kids, weighted blankets are a natural, non-medicinal, and easy-to-use relaxation tool that can also help them get a little more shut-eye. Weighted blankets – sometimes also called stress blankets, weighted sensory blankets or autism blankets – are widely used by parents and therapists to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Curious if these benefits of a kids weighted blanket really are that far-reaching, we asked an autism expert. Bernadine Hershey is an occupational therapist at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development with 30 years of experience in treating autism. Let’s briefly look at what autism is, and then get to what Bernadine had to say about how a weighted blanket for kids can ease ASD-related issues.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a complex condition. Here are a few key points to help understand this multifaceted disorder:

• Autistic people have a developmental disability that makes it hard to express themselves in ways other people typically communicate, and to grasp the thoughts and intentions of others accurately.
• How autism presents differs from person to person. Some autistic people are gifted in the way they think and learn, while others face enormous everyday life difficulties. As author and autism self-advocate Dr. Stephen Shore explains this aptly: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
• Autism spectrum disorder is a blanket term for various mental disorders – like Asperger’s and Pervasive Development Disorder – characterized by hindered social interaction and communication difficulties.
• Beyond these overarching psychiatric challenges, those on the autism spectrum also have accompanying physical conditions that typically include epilepsy, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders or problems.

The Historical Link Between Autism And Weighted Blankets

Autism and weighted blankets are historically weaved together. Animal behaviorist and autism spokesperson, Dr. Temple Grandin, played an integral role in exploring the applications and advantages of deep touch pressure (DTP), and DTP explains how weighted blankets work.

Building on Dr. Grandin’s work, weighted objects became mainstream tools used in occupational therapy practices to soothe autism-related anxiety through deep pressure stimulation.

An Expert OT’s Take On Weighted Blankets And Autism

We spoke to Bernadine Hershey, an occupational therapist with three decades of experience working with autistic children. Bernadine is a longstanding faculty member at the nationally recognized Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Schreiber Center serves more than 4000 children every year by providing occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

Ninety percent of Bernadine’s patients have autism spectrum or sensory processing disorder. As an expert in applying therapeutic treatments to help children with these disabilities, we asked her how she uses weighted blankets as a therapeutic tool.

1. What is the most common challenge autistic children face during therapy?

Stress and anxiety are the most challenging concerns for the children on my caseload. Before we can even begin to conquer other challenges, like motor planning issues, food issues, etc., our common goal is to first work through the primary challenge of anxiety and stress.

2. Do you often use weighted objects during therapy sessions?

Yes, I have been using weighted blankets, clothing, toys, and balls as a part of my therapeutic practices for the last 30 years, in different ways.

3. Can you explain some of these ways you use weighted blankets or clothing?

With children, I often use weighted blankets, or clothing, to facilitate calmness (settling down) and sitting tolerance (being able to sit still), so that their attention span can be increased, and they’re able to focus and learn better.

In long term care and rehab, I’ve also used weighted objects to help facilitate calmness in patients with brain injury agitation and dementia.

4. Do you think weighted blankets can help treat any of the symptoms that children with autism or sensory processing disorder tend to have?

Yes, I love using weighted equipment! I’ll illustrate how weighted blankets can help children by sharing, with permission, just one example from my previous cases.

A few years ago, I treated five-year-old twins, both autistic, who had significant difficulty sleeping. I sent home a weighted blanket for them to try, and it was a resounding success. Soon each had their own weighted blanket, and the mother reported that the twins not only slept better, but their daytime behaviors improved too – especially their attention span and eating habits.

5. What is the primary benefit of using weighted blankets or objects during your occupational therapy sessions?

Calming a patient so that learning can take place. If a child’s stress or anxiety can diminish for even five minutes, that builds trust and confidence. Once we’ve laid this therapeutic foundation, often with the help of a weighted blanket or object, we can start working on more difficult things.

How Does A Weighted Blanket Help Autism?

Based on Bernadine’s expert insights, here are three ways our weighted blanket for autism – the Nappling – can help kids ease ASD-related sleep struggles, anxiety, and improve attention span.

Better sleep quality

Autistic children typically have trouble sleeping. A 2019 study shows autistic preschoolers are twice as likely to have sleep problems than children without ASD. Supporting Bernadine’s illustration of how weighted blankets are a natural solution to a sleepless situation, Autism Speaks (the largest autism advocacy organization in the US) also recommends sleeping under weight, as a way to improve sleep in children with autism.

The Bearaby Nappling applies 7 pounds of evenly distributed weight over a child’s body to bring about better sleep.

Easing anxiety through feelings of safety and therapeutic effects

Similar to Bernadine’s explanation of soothing anxiety before addressing other ASD-related problems, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America underpins the importance “to recognize and treat anxiety in ASD, since it has a great impact on the course and the core aspects of the disorder, exacerbating social withdrawal as well as repetitive behaviors. Moreover, early recognition and treatment may convey a better prognosis for these patients.”

The Nappling is suitable for children aged four and up, making it a safe and accessible tool for treating anxiety in young children with ASD. This improves the sensory input received and increases body awareness through deep touch pressure, making the weighted blanket a great companion for children with autism.

Improving attention span

Studies support Bernadine’s reports of how weighted blankets for kids can help improve attention span. Little minds get more restorative rest from sleeping under weight; combined with weighted objects gently covering their bodies during the day, it sets your kiddo up for better focus and, ultimately, learning.

To conclude, let’s answer two often-asked weighted blanket questions.

How Do You Introduce A Weighted Blanket To An Autistic Child?

When using a weighted blanket for autistic children (or adults) for the first time, gradually ease in this new feeling, over a few days. Gently drape the blanket over your child’s lower limbs and slowly pull it up to cover the upper-body. Be sure to introduce resting under weight when your child is calm.

The best weighted blanket for autism one that provides the most calming effects for your child and helps improve sleep quality over time. Some children with autism need more support getting used to new things. Weighted blankets work differently than a typical blanket through their added weight, which helps with deep pressure stimulation.

This additional stimulation from the deep touch pressure of the weighted blanket can be new to your child. We recommend introducing the weighted blanket gradually for your child as it may take some time to cozy up under the weight.

5 Great Tips On How To Improve Sleep for Children with Autism

1. Create a sleep environment where your child feels safe and comfortable

Who doesn't appreciate a safe and comfortable sleep environment? Ideally, your child’s sleeping environment should make it irresistible to go to sleep at night. Adding a weighted blanket along with their favorite stuffed animals and some pillows can improve the sleep environment significantly.

2. Make sure your child gets enough physical activity during the day

It is important for your child to get enough physical activity during the day. Outside activity when there’s plenty of natural light, especially in the morning, can help regulate your child’s circadian rhythm for when your child needs to fall asleep.

3. Create a healthy sleep association

Just like humming, singing and rocking back and forth, weighted blankets can create a healthy sleep association too. Your child doesn't necessarily have to sleep under the weighted blanket every night, but can find comfort in fidgeting with the knitted blanket being next to them.

4. Avoid screens or excitement going to sleep

Many parents forget to help their children with autism create melatonin during the evening by reducing their screen time. Unlike light exposure in the morning, light exposure in the evening can decrease the total sleep time and increase sleep onset latency, which means it will take longer for your child to fall asleep.

5. Stick to the bedtime routine and set regular bedtimes appropriately

Routine is key. Many children with autism respond well to a well planned bedtime routine. A great way to let children know that it is time to go to sleep is by starting some calming activities like reading or drawing. That will create a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easier for you as a parent to tell the kids to start brushing their teeth.

Can A Weighted Blanket For Autism Be Too Heavy?

The recommended weighted blanket weight is roughly 10% of your body weight, but going a few pounds heavier is often recommended. Comfort is key: keep a close eye for any signs of discomfort when your child uses our 7lb Nappling for the first time.

(PS, parents, the Nappling is 100% machine washable – because we know when it comes to kids and their kit, simple cleaning methods are best. Tumble dry the Nappling on low heat.)