Weighted Blankets - Helpful for Autism, Alzheimer's and More Essential Spotlight


A


fter several years of making and selling their signature L-oma Buckwheat Pillows, it was observed that some of


their workers, from The Bridges Foundation, who had been di- agnosed with autism experienced a sense of feeling calmer and more centered when a pillow was on their laps. It was not much of a leap to realize that buckwheat could be an ideal fill for weighted blankets. Today, weighted blankets have be- come a hot topic of conversation, especially this past year as the topic has been popular throughout social media. But in actuality many people have no idea what a weighted blanket is and why it works. Basically a weighted blanket is just that –weight! It really is not a blanket used to cover you for warmth on your bed, though it may be used in combination with other blankets.


Weighted blankets have been recognized by profession- als as helpful to people on the Autism spectrum, but they have also shown to help with a variety of different ailments such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, depression and muscle fatigue. Although weighted blankets are by no means a cure for any of the above, they can provide relief for periods of time for any of these disorders.


How does a weighted blanket work? It provides deep


pressure which addresses sensory dysfunction. When the user focuses on the weight of the blanket it helps them integrate their senses resulting in a calming, soothing experience. After 10 to 20 minutes, the user has greater focus and concentration aiding greatly in the reduction of challenging behaviors and symptoms.


L-oma, creator of the Weighted Blanket Intelligent Tubing System™, has designed a blanket that uses “tubes” packed with buckwheat hulls. The size of the blanket determines how many tubes are needed. Each tube slides into a slot in the blanket which is Velcro-ed shut. The tubes can be added or subtracted depending on how much weight you would like and also for laundering. The actual blanket can be thrown in the wash on a gentle cycle and hung to dry or dried on a low setting. Additionally, buckwheat is a poor conductor of heat, so the buckwheat doesn’t absorb any of the user’s body heat


and stays cool. L-oma prefers to use 100% cotton or Organic cot- ton for their blankets, which also keeps them cool, though fleece is also offered for kids that have sensory issues and like something soft.


The general rule for determining how much weight to use is usually 10% of a person’s body weight. Although, L-oma em- phasizes there is no real rule and it should be based on what the comfort level of the user is since everyone is different with different needs. L-oma offers different weights of blankets ranging from 5 to 11 pounds. The 5’ x 3’ size, 11 pound blanket is recommended for an adult. Because of the design and purpose of the blanket, having a blanket any larger really makes little sense, not to mention that the blanket would be too cumbersome! Custom orders are encouraged for blankets by picking fabric, color or theme. If your child likes “pink and kitties“ and the material can be found, they will make it! They have found by customizing it to what a child desires helps to peak the child’s interest in using it!


Buckwheat hulls


have turned out to be a truly versatile prod- uct for L-oma. After extensive research, they found a compa- ny that specializes in organic, non-allergen- ic, odorless and non- fumigated buckwheat hulls allowing them to


offer the finest products available on the market. As L-oma’s motto puts it: Sleep well, Dream well, Be well!


Purchasing items from L-oma directly supports The Bridges Foundation, a non-profit organization helping people with disabilities. For more information and to view other products available like Buckwheat Pillows, visit: www.l-oma.com or call 207-595-8106. See ad on page 13.


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