Weighted Blankets | ADHD Information

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Hello this is my first time posting ang just want to thank everyone for all the great info that I have found on here.  I have two kids with ADHD (8year old boy and 10 year old girl)

  I do have a question I have been looking on the internet for years for as much information on ADHD being as I did not know much about ADHD as I never had it.  My ex husband has ADHD an is also Bi-polar (was unaware until it was to late but know I understand why he was so abusive)ok back to my question i have found weighted blankets on the net  most of the sites say these blankets are for Autism but some say they help with ADHD was wondering if anyone has tried them or know of anyone that has used them for ADHD .  They say that they will help them sleep. My son has a horrible time sleeping thru the night unless I give him Melatonin(DR. suggested).  Any information that you may have on these blankets would be great .  Thank You all in advance for all your help.

I have ADHD and I cannot sleep at night without weight on my legs, even in summer. I usually have a couple of blankets folded over the bottom portion of my bed. I always just assumed it was just me, but maybe its the ADHD.

I know many people who have it and don't need the weight. Why not try putting extra blankets over him at night and see if it works before spending money on weighted blankets? If it doesn't help, you are not out the cash.

I have found a lot a good infomation on www.brighttots.com Thats the first ive ever heard of weighted blankets, however, my ADHD son can't sleep unless our dog is in bed with him, maybe due to the fact that the dog sleeps on my son's legs. I had never thought of it before, but maybe there is a connection there. I know weighted blankets are great for sensory integration disorder -- not sure if either of your children are comorbid, but since it's all on the same spectrum it would make sense that it would work for kids with ADHD.

[QUOTE=MegMaguire]I know weighted blankets are great for sensory integration disorder.[/QUOTE]

 

can you tell me more about why this is so?  it sounds very intriguing.  my son is a "Linus" and carries his blanket everywhere except school.

 

Our son sleeps like a Mummy at night. bump......

Maybe the weighted blankets help with the STNR.  I read the book Stopping ADHD and in it they say to do exercises that will mature a reflex that urges you to pring forward if your arms and legs are bent at the same time. 

If a child is feeling that reflex (or adult) at night with arms and legs bent, then it would stand to reason that with a weighted blanket, your legs will not bend up as often and you would be more comfortable because the reflex would not be bothering you.

You can read about the book in the thread of book and articles.

I have done the exercises and they have helped me very much!!!  I thought it all made sense when I read this post about weighted blankets.

 

I am topping this to give an explanation of the weighted blanket.bumpi have found a similar thing with my seven year old never thought it may have anything to do with weight until reading it here, he likes to sleep with a quilt and 3 blankets i figured it was because he always felt cold but he always wanted a fan right next to him to keep him cool. i was constantly asking him why he didnt just take a couple of the blankets off if he was hot.    As a kid, I used to have a couple of heavy quilts on the bed for winter, one for me, and one for my legs as they would seem to have a mind of their own and wake me up moving! Never could sleep well in summer. Don't know if that helps, but also check out restless leg syndrome just to see .The sensory resource cite has lots of stuff for people with SI issues.

well tried putting plenty of blankets on my sons legs last night, he woke up all excited because he had a dream last night. when i asked him about his dreams he said he used to have them along time ago but this was his first in along time. so im guessing the blankets worked they allowed him to get a deep enough sleep to have dreams.

maybe it was a coincedence but ill keep trying it and see how it goes.

tin23uk38666.3284722222 I'd look up info on Sensory Integration if I were you.  It may be that your son has some comorbid issues.  It's pretty common!  Glad you found the "trick!"he has never really had major issues with sleeping prolly down to all the sleeping pills that he takes, i had just noticed that he likes alot of blankets even in the summer, so after reding this i decided just to fold them up and put them on his legs. maybe one night if he continues to keep dreaming ill try putting him to bed without his sleeping pills just to see what happens.My son sleeps better with a comforter and flannel duvet that is too big for his bed. Hence weight on the sides, keeping a blanket on the bed.   

Also, he used to be on clonodine at night, slowly got off thatchanged to melatonin, then Gabba Calm which he used for awhile and now he only uses it occasionally.

When my son was origianlly Dx ADHD a suggestion the school made was to allow him to wear a weighted vest. They said it would help him feel connected to something and to help him feel grounded. They said they had great success with other children. I thought it would make him stand out to much so I didn't use it. But I guess the idea is in line with the blankets which I may actually use. He tosses and turns all night and occasioanlly wakes. So I am going to try the heavy blankets. Thanks for bringing this up. Keep posting & letting us know how you are doing. Welcome!  

Thank you all for your replies.  My son does sleep wiith a some what heavy blanket(bluejean quilt) but it is not heavy enough he still tosses and turns so much . There seems to be several different sites that you can order these blankets from so now I think I will do some more searching to see what is the best one.  I will keep you all posted if I find any good information all well I hope you will all keep me posted.  I may also see if I can find a pattern to have my mother make me one of these blankets as she has made many quilts including the blue jean quilt.  Some of these blankets that I have found seem a bit expensive but if they work it is worth it to me .  Thanks again

Weighted blankets, different types of vests etc... are useful for sensory integration disorder.  This disorder can frequently coexist with ADHD, but is occasionally the primary cause for hyperactivity or simply the ability to sit and focus. I have seen neoprene vests, weighted vests, foot weights, etc... work for children on the autism spectrum.  If you are noticing a tendency towards these issues, you might ask you primary care physician about a referral to an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integrations disorders and can give your child the SIPT (sensory integration profile test).  Just a thought.