Weighted Supports for Autistics

Weighted supports are surprisingly effective at calming an anxious nervous system. As a chronically anxious person, I use them everyday for self-care and my wife knows to get my weighted blanket and drape it over me when I’m in distress. Weighted supports are simple to use and travel well too.

Weighted Blanket

When I was little, I enjoyed sleeping under piles of quilts at my grandmother’s house. Now, I have a weighted blanket that fits over the sheet and under the two blankets I use—because I need to be extra cozy to sleep.

I share a queen-sized bed with my wife (who needs to feel light and free to sleep), so I purchased a twin-sized blanket that fits on my side without bothering her, that way we both get our needs met.

I purchased mine at CostCo, but here’s a link to a similar item on Amazon: weighted twin blanket.

Weighted Lap Pad

A weighted lap pad is easier to maneuver and handle than a full-sized blanket. I keep mine on the couch and use it every time I sit down to relax. Since driving and traveling is often anxiety-provoking for me, I also bring it with me for any drive over 30 minutes and/or for overnight stays.

Like many Autistics, social events can be dysregulating for my nervous system, so I often bring a weighted support in the car and use it to help self-soothe before and after socializing. I also feel better knowing that if I become distressed, I can always retreat to the car, lie down, and put the support on my chest to help my system re-balance—it’s surprisingly effective!

Weighted Stuffy

Autistic adults often face pushback for our love of stuffies. Unlike, allistics, many of us don’t abandon our soft-bodied friends in adolescence and continue to keep stuffies as adults. They’re soft, snuggly, and often serve as special interest reminders—how comforting! I have a weighted stuffy that I use much like my weighted lap pad—it lives on the sofa and comes with me when I travel (although I usually just pick the stuffy OR the lap pad and not both).