Therapy blankets help with Asperger's syndrome and autism

← Back to the overview of additional benefits of weighted blankets

Reading time: 2 minutes

Autism is a developmental disorder that can become noticeable in early childhood. Asperger's syndrome refers to a type of autism and can be diagnosed from the age of 4. These children have difficulties communicating with other people; they usually find it hard to recognize and understand facial expressions and the intentions of others. Often, the focus is placed on a few specific interests, which can indeed develop into a high ability. Even if the behavior of an autistic child may seem strange to the outside world, it is important not to label this manifestation as a disease but to provide the child with an appropriate environment. Since symptoms such as sleep disorders, hyperactivity, restlessness, and aggression often occur with diagnosed autism, a weighted blanket can also help here.

The weight of the blanket affects the muscles, tendons, and joints, so that the body is perceived more intensely and can be better controlled. This can be especially helpful for autism—many everyday challenges seem effortless for non-autistic people but are stressful. The accumulated overload and the stress triggered by it can decrease through the more intense perception of the body and promote harmony between body and mind.

Responsible for inducing relaxation are the happiness hormone serotonin and the sleep hormone melatonin, whose release is promoted when applying the weighted blanket. The muscles and nervous system relax, anxieties are reduced, and the body can recover more easily overall from accumulated aggression and tension by lowering the cortisol level (the so-called stress hormone). Falling asleep becomes easier and sleep becomes calmer.

Summary:

• Symptoms such as restlessness and aggressiveness can be reduced by a weighted blanket
• Weight frees the body from accumulated stress and overload in everyday life

← Back to the overview of additional benefits of weighted blankets