Weighted Blankets & Cushions

At Special Needs Resources, we provide products with a purpose. And weighted blankets have many benefits for those with special needs.

Weighted blankets don’t just provide comfort. They are therapeutic tools that are designed to offer gentle, distributed pressure across the body, mimicking the sensation of being held or hugged. The benefits of this stimulation come twofold:

People with conditions such as:

may find weighted blankets particularly beneficial. The deep-pressure stimulation acts as a therapeutic tool that provides a calming effect, helping to alleviate feelings of anxiety and promote healthy sleep.

We provide weighted blankets in Australia to cater to every individual’s preferences and needs. Fom school children to aged care residents, we provide resources to support everyone.

Shop for Weighted Blankets at Special Needs Resources

Browse our full range of weighted blankets, from kids-weighted blankets to adult-weighted blankets. Feel free to choose by:

Size
Colours
Designs
Weight (Measured in kg)

With bulk order purchase orders available (simply contact our team) and fast delivery across Australia, shop online now. Our team can help you find the right bulk products for your facility.

What Are Weighted Blankets?

Weighted blankets are therapeutic tools that help those with special needs feel safer and more secure. Made of the same materials as normal blankets, the only difference is that they contain heavier elements like plastic poly pellets or glass beads to create an even coating of weight that moulds to the body’s shape.

We offer many sizes, from lap blankets to multiple blankets for each bed size, going up to about 7 kg in weight.

Our blankets are all 100% cotton, with most being fully machine washable for easy reuse. Some will need to be cleaned with a damp cloth so please follow the individual product instructions, however, all of our blankets are suitable for children and adults.

How Do Weighted Blankets Work?

Health care clinics have found that weighted blankets can help improve sleep in people with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and ADHD.

This is due to the weighted blanket providing pressure relief therapy and feelings of security and protection. The way it works is that the gentle pressure of the blanket activates your parasympathetic nervous system.

For those with autism, this pressure relief therapy is a great benefit as it can reduce feelings of anxiety and act as a ‘safe space’ if external stimuli becomes overwhelming.

By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, you can reduce the ‘on edge’ feelings caused by your body reacting to stress or fear. A weighted blanket does this in a natural way that doesn’t require the need for calming medication, which should only be used when prescribed from a healthcare professional.

Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets

There are many benefits to using weighted blankets to support those with special needs. DPTS (Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation) can help stimulate the release of serotonin in the brain, in turn helping children and adults to feel calm, and relaxed.

This translates to:

Support with regular sleep patterns
Reduction in stress
Managing anxiety
Regulating emotions

And all these benefits work with children and adults with conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders and more. The principle behind weighted blankets is that it is a natural method of calming someone down, no matter their conditions.

We Provide Weighted Blankets for Children, Adults & Seniors

Weighted Lap Blankets

These come in small sizes (measure 32 cm x 48 cm and weigh 1.5kg) up to large sizes (measure 40 cm x 55 cm and weigh 2.7kg).

Weighted Fidget Blankets

This fidget and sensory blanket is designed to self regulate and assist those who need to fidget. The unique textures of fabrics, colours, shapes and patterns create a personal touch on top of therapeutic benefits.

Bedding Blanket

These come in the standard mattress sizes of single, double or more to match the size of your bed.

Weighted Travel Blankets

As part of the Special Needs Resources Travel Pack, the foldable weighted blanket makes travelling a comfortable and stress-free experience.

Weighted Animal Toys

Weighted toys are the perfect addition to weighted blankets and provide additional sensory input. These cuddly companions are perfect for children and adults alike, offering a soothing presence. From cats, dogs, monkeys, bunnies and even a crocodile called Cole.

How to Choose the Right Weighted Blanket?

As a general rule, a weighted blanket should be about 5 to 10 percent of your body weight. The weighted blanket should also fit snugly to the size of the bed without too much overlap.

Adults can use medium-large weighted blankets ranging from 5 kg to 13 kg.
For an average-sized child, a small weighted blanket should weigh from 2 kg to 6 kg.
Older adults may want to use small or medium-weighted blankets ranging from around the same weight, from 2kg – 8kg.

Tips for Using Weighted Blankets Safely

There are very few risks to using a weighted blanket.

However, according to many manufacturers, weighted blankets shouldn’t be used for toddlers under 2 years old, as it may increase the risk of suffocation. Always consult your paediatrician before trying a weighted blanket for your toddler.

A weighted blanket may also be unsuitable for people with certain conditions, including: Obstructive sleep apnea (which causes disrupted breathing during sleep), asthma, or intense claustrophobia, which the tightness of a weighted blanket may trigger. Apart from these conditions, weighted blankets are perfectly safe for children and adults to use.

If you have any further questions read our helpful blog or reach out by contacting us directly. For special needs products with a purpose, look to Special Needs Resources.