World Autism Day 2022 - How Therapy Blankets Can Help with Autism

Since 2008, World Autism Awareness Day has been observed every year on April 2nd. The day was established to raise awareness of the developmental disorder and to sensitize our fellow human beings to people with autism. 

What is autism?

Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, language, and nonverbal communication. It is now known that autism is characterized by many subtypes, usually influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, every person with autism has a range of strengths and challenges. The way people with autism learn, think, and solve problems can range from highly skilled to severely impaired. Some people with ASD require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support and in some cases can live completely independently.

Sleep disorders in autism

Sleep problems, which manifest as frequent waking during the night or tossing and turning, are often part of the developmental disorder autism. Sleep disorders can occur in both children and adults. The ongoing lack of sleep and insufficient sleep quality strongly affect people's daily lives, as sleep deprivation can negatively impact perception, concentration, and mood. 

Melatonin can support sleep 

Sleep disorders are among the most common accompanying symptoms of autism. They can vary in severity and differ from person to person, but they always have an impact on mental and psychosocial development. Studies have shown that people with autism more often have reduced melatonin levels than others. Melatonin is a natural hormone. It promotes sleep, slows down bodily functions, and prepares for nighttime rest. Melatonin significantly contributes to controlling the human sleep-wake cycle. A melatonin deficiency negatively affects sleep, as well as health and mood.

How weighted blankets can help with autism

There are several good reasons why a weighted blanket can improve the sleep of children and adults with autism. The first reason is that weighted blankets create deep pressure due to their weight, which releases serotonin in the body. Serotonin is an important chemical when it comes to feeling calm and having a stable mood. Children with autism often have, in addition to a lack of melatonin, a low serotonin level. The release of serotonin not only helps a child feel calmer, but serotonin is also needed for the formation of melatonin in the body. Another reason why a weighted blanket can improve sleep is that it calms the nervous system and has been shown to reduce anxiety. Often anxiety is one of the factors that prevent children with autism from falling asleep. The weight of therapy blankets can also provide a large sensory input. For many children with ASD, it can be important for the development of body awareness to have a sense of where their body ends. Weighted blankets help children perceive their body and feel themselves.

Nici from the blog Unbemerkt.eu was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2017. On her blog, she describes her daily life with the diagnosis and also reports on her positive experiences with her therapy blanket:

"Just because I can hide under my weighted blanket in such situations, I love it. You just feel safe and secure. But of course, that's not the only reason why I love the blanket. My blanket helps me the most when I I have shutdowns. Then I always feel like I'm falling apart. When I lie under my weighted blanket, it feels like a big hug. I really like to use my blanket when I am exhausted, sad, stressed, or overwhelmed."