#weightedproducts

Whilst doing some general research on weighted products and their beneficial uses, I came across this page on autismspeaks.org, which is basically a library containing a description and a link to every source used on their website, with the aim to guide families and/or service users in the right direction to finding the products they need. It contains links to family run businesses, professional companies, articles, all of which sell or provide personal insights into weighted blankets, vests, toys etc. and the positives and negatives that come with using them. 

https://www.autism-products.com is one of the first links available, and is run by a woman who’s son is on the autistic spectrum. She claims to have started her business so that others ‘don’t have to search as hard as we did to find products for our child.’ She sells almost every item you could possibly imagine, all of which aid sensory needs. The options on her website are endless, and include objects such as weighted toys, weighted balls, weighted shoulder and lap pads, weighted ‘halos’ [https://www.autism-products.com/product/halo-weight-2-2-pounds-yellow/], and weighted ‘hall passes’ [https://www.autism-products.com/product/weighted-hall-pass-2-pounds/]. Many of her weighted blankets can be made to order in different fabrics, which again provide sensory stimulation due to their tactile qualities. Some examples of the materials she can provide blankets and other weighted products in are fleece, lace, cotton, and corduroy. Available on the website are also neoprene compression vests, [https://www.autism-products.com/product/neoprene-compression-vest/] which are described as having ‘deep pressure input, (similar to being hugged).’ It is further explained that ‘from a sensory point of view they can help to calm and focus a child, by giving a greater sense of body awareness. Compression vests are designed to provide constant, even pressure to children and adults with autism, sensory processing disorders, hyperactivity, and more.’ 

Another product available on this particular website is elasticated wrist weights, made using soft fleece. [https://www.autism-products.com/product/stretchy-wrist-weights/] They are elasticated so that there is ‘no noisy, scratchy velcro closure’, and they are to be ‘worn on the wrist to provide weight bearing and strength building benefits.’ ‘Feedback shows that they are effective for children with autism, sensory integration disorders, and many other neurological challenges. The luxurious fleece fabric is soft to the touch yet durable enough for every day use. Filled with plastic poly pellets, and machine washable.’  

Also available on the website are bean bags in a variety of different colours, sizes and materials. They are made using fleece, nylon, canvas and cotton, and are all filled with non-toxic plastic poly pellets. Different fabrics are used for tactile and durability reasons. 

http://consumercarellc.com/category/BH.html is one of the other many links available. This particular page on the website informs the reader of a product called ‘The Big Hug’. The Big Hug is described as a ‘ergonomically designed’, with an aim to ‘calm, reorganise, and redirect the energy of children and adults with autism, particularly those who may benefit from deep pressure therapy.’ There are videos and descriptive diagrams and photographs which demonstrate the exact use of the product, and it appears that the actual design is what counts rather than the material used, due to the fact that it focuses on creating deep pressure rather than providing a sensory, tactile experience. The item also does not contain weights of any kind, but rather seems to provide pressure from how tightly the velcro straps are, and how it is adjusted. This is just another of so many products, all used for similar reasons for the same target audience my final term projects are aimed at.