(12-16-2010, 06:03 PM)Pearso22 Wrote: Hi, that is interesting what you have said. So do you sleep with the blanket over you all night, and then it helps you function better during the day? Does it give you a quota of sensory input for the day ahead, i am trying so hard to understand how it feels. Or do you mean you use the blanket for 10 mins here and there when you need it? I have often wondered whether Soren would benefit from deep pressure vest or miracle belt.

You put them to bed with it on and then you are supposed to take it off once they are asleep but leave it where they can pull it up again - I usually remember to do it but I often find it's been pulled back on in the night. I don't know that it "fills up" the quota but if it means they get to sleep better and sleep more soundly that can't be a bad thing, they don't start the day tired. As far as use in the day time goes, it's whatever they decide they want/need. My son says it feels cosy, like a big warm hug.

Perhaps a vest or belt might be good for Soren if he's continually stimming, he clearly needs some kind of sensory input. People talk about a "sensory diet" - a whole package of things that add to the sensory input that is calming and organising for that individual. It can be as diverse as lots of crunchy chewy food in their lunch box or chewy toys (you can get things for the end of pencils for examples) to the weighted products, fidget toys (sqeezing etc), things to sit on, making sure that there's some kind of work out in the morning before school/work. I met one teacher who put a thick piece of foam under the desk of a boy in her class who constantly banged his feet on the floor - he got the stimulation of the stamping and she lost the extra noise in the classroom. Sometimes even a chair that can rock a bit helps - your OT can probably give you heaps of ideas and options once you see them.