How do we know if a weighted blanket will work for my 3 yr old girl with asd, they are expensive and I wouldn't want to buy one if it's not the right thing for her. She does cover herself with couch pillows and bed ones too just randomly throughout the day.
I ordered a twin size piece of Memory foam from Overstock.com for $80.00 dollar's, took the box of foam to a local fabrication shop & had them cut it down to about sofa size cushion's & then covered with different texture's of fabric for another ($80.00) Still ALOT cheaper than the $400.00 dollar's they wanted for that weighted blanket on the Autism Speaks web-site. Now it's become part of our bed-time routine- choosing which cushion's he'll pick out for sleepy-time.
does a hug calm her? the slight pressure of the weighted blanket should help her if a hug does work for her.
we have a weighted lap pad for our 4.5 year old and she just doesn't get the benefit of it yet. She does however understand that her noise cancelling headphones help, but we started small and my friend made it (seems easy I just don't sew) it's still here and sits while we wait for the concept to click for her
Do you know anyone that sews? Make a trail blanket. She is small so a small one can be made. The blanket goes by the weight of her body. I have one for my 29 year old. His is 51 pounds, and yes it's heavy. He has learned to cover hisself when he needs it. IT Works too! And it calms him down. Also, helps him to sleep. I have catch my son with ADHD using it too.
Here is a tutorial for making a weighted blanket: http://mamasmiles.com/sewing-tutorial-how-to-ma...
There are a number of other tutorials online. You can find the pellets at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: http://www.joann.com/plastic-stuffng-bead/17584...
They usually have a 40% off coupon!
My mother made one for my son after I learned that he used a lap pad at school. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.