[Focus62]

Anybody use these? I am wondering if they would help me sleep. I toss and turn and just can't fall asleep easily and I'm wondering if a lightly weighted blanket would help to calm me down but also not be so heavy that it makes me feel trapped. I find that I am much more comfortable when I have many blankets over me and I must have a blanket covering me when I'm lounging in the family room in a chair or on the couch, it's hot in the summer but it's a comfort thing. I like winter because I can layer and comfort myself in sweatshirts. I wonder if a weighted blanket would be the thing for me.

[Pandoren]

I've never heard of those.

I like thick blankets and jumpers/coats... There is a sort of comfort in layers between you and the world...

[Inedible]

I've never heard of weighted blankets, either, but they sound like a sleeping bag. Like for camping. A sleeping bag would only allow a certain amount of movement, without being too heavy.

[Focus62]

A sleeping bag restricts movement, I wouldn't be able to stand that. I'd rather have something with a little bit of pressure for a soothing effect, but something that would still allow me to move my legs and spread out how I want.

Here's a link to a place that has a lot of good information about them and you can order a custom blanket too, if you wish. DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets

I might try one, I might not...they're quite pricey.

[avlady]

Try a different material, something soft, not too heavy, but heavy enough to keep you comfy. I know I also need a thick blanket even in the summer too, but it usually ends up on the floor by the morning in the summer. I must uncover myself and not know it because of the heat. Good Luck

[gismo]

Hi Focus62, My son is 8 and as mild ASD,i never had the need for weighted blankets,but i am sure you can only get them for toddlers and younger children, you can try the NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY,they will know, sorry that's in the uk,not sure what country your from but i bet they will have the equivalent of N.A.S........
hope that helps,gismo

[Focus62]

Hmm, I'm kind of surprised that no one has used one/heard of one before! Such is life.

Gismo-Thanks for the tips. I live in the US and I know you can obtain any size online if you want, even for adults. I bet you could in the UK too.

Temple Grandin started the movement of the weighted blankets as well as a devise she created to "hug" a person for a sense of security. She said she created it as an anxiety reliever and I've worked with severely autistic children and they do work. You can look up a number of Ms. Grandin's lectures on YouTube. They are quite good and enlightening and I would recommend them to anyone raising an Autistic/Asperger's child and even an Asperger's adult may gain some insight in to how they think from them.

[Focus62]

Just in case anyone was wondering...I got my 15 lb blanket and it works like a charm! I still don't sleep like a normal person but I am sleeping A LOT better than I once have. Hopefully someone else here would benefit from one too.