For many decades, gravity blankets have been recognized by the medical community for their therapeutic properties in children and adults on the autism spectrum.

Although now widely used to treat insomnia and stress, gravity blankets are a natural alternative in the hands of parents to minimize their autistic children's tantrums, reduce stress, improve sleep, and improve their overall quality of life.

But how do they work and how can they help an autistic person in their everyday life?

Stay with us because in this article you will learn everything you want to know about gravity blankets and autism.

Let's start!

What is a gravity blanket ?

A gravity blanket is essentially a heavy blanket that contains very fine glass beads inside, weighing from 3 to 15 kilos. It can be used by children over 3 years old and even the elderly.

How does it work?

The uniform pressure it exerts on the body due to its weight - occupational therapists call it Deep Tactile Pressure - is scientifically proven to help the nervous system relax and switch from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic one.

Additionally, the feeling of pressure that is reminiscent of a hug increases serotonin levels and reduces cortisol levels. Using a weighted blanket has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Learn more about how the gravity blanket works here .

Historical review

(Pictured is Temple Grandin giving a TED talk. Watch her full talk here .)

Gravity blankets have been known in the medical community for several decades, mainly for their help in treating individuals with autism, anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Its use (and other weighted objects, such as vests) came from the idea of ​​Temple Grandin (an autistic zoologist) when around 1980 she built a “compression machine” for autistic people and for herself. The idea came when on the ranches where she did her studies, she noticed that frightened cows calmed down when they were in the process of being concentrated in a special compression device used in stables.

Over the years, doctors and occupational therapists have turned to the power of Deep Tactile Pressure to relieve stress and improve the sleep quality of their autistic patients, whether through Grandin's machine or with gravity vests or blankets.

How can a gravity blanket help an autistic child?

There are many ways a gravity blanket can help an autistic person. From increasing serotonin and decreasing cortisol, to improving attention in school, to reducing the frequency of meltdowns, gravity blankets can help with a range of challenges in an autistic person's daily life.

More specifically:

1. Better sleep

Research has shown that gravity blankets increase serotonin levels in the body, a hormone directly related to sleep regulation. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 78% of participants preferred sleeping with a gravity blanket as a relaxation aid.

2. Reduced stress

Gravity blankets help people with autism reduce their anxiety. According to Anna Merrill of Indiana University Bloomington, it is common for children with autism to experience a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety disorder.

Additionally, other research suggests that gravity blankets reduce stress on the nervous system. For example, a study in the Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering found that people who used a gravity blanket during a dental procedure felt calmer and more relaxed. "Research has shown that Deep Tactile Pressure intervention can improve the quality of life of patients suffering from anxiety, pain, and agitation, including those with developmental disabilities, dementia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other special needs," the study authors wrote.

3. Improved concentration at school

Research has shown that applying Deep Tactile Pressure can help children with autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stay focused on school activities. Specifically, one study showed that children who wore a weighted vest to school had improved concentration levels and higher completion rates of their assignments.

4. Reduced frequency of meltdowns

One of the most difficult and demanding situations that both individuals with autism and their families and their environment have to deal with are outbursts of anger, or otherwise known in foreign literature as meltdowns.

Every child is different, and what may bother one child may not bother another. When a parent or caregiver sees signs of a meltdown coming on, a gravity blanket can help a sensory overloaded child feel calmer, more relaxed, and more secure.

How to choose the ideal blanket weight?

In general, what we recommend is to keep in mind the 10% rule. More specifically, the weight of the blanket should be close to 10% of the body weight of the person who is going to use it.

For example, if a child weighs 30 kg, then the blanket is the Prosleep Gravity Junior of 3 kg. Correspondingly, if the person weighs 65 kg, then the best choice is the Prosleep Gravity for adults of 7 kg.

We have written a detailed article on choosing the right blanket weight, which you can refer to for more information.

Order a gravity blanket now!