Blog — Autism

There are many labels for what we deem as "different" in our society. In my opinion, Autism is the most overused. I can't tell you how many people assume a child is Autistic because they are anxious or tune out around crowds. So how do you know when to be alarmed and when to let it ride out? People with social anxiety disorder (sometimes called “social phobia”) have a marked fear of social or performance situations in which they expect to feel embarrassed, judged, rejected, or fearful of offending others. Social anxiety disorder symptoms include: Feeling highly anxious about being...

There are a variety of fillings to choose from to use in a weighted blanket.  What is best and has the longest lasting effect? The most popular options are polypropylene (PP) pellets and glass beads.  Here are few things to consider when making your purchase: 1) Toxicity Seems like a big deal since its covering your body, right?! It's important to look for BPA-free, non-toxic polypropylene pellets. BPA exhibits toxic, endocrine, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in living organisms...something you want to stay clear of. Consider using a virgin material to avoid toxicity. 2) Odor This can be common in recycled plastic due to the additives...

Having a child is one of the most terrifyingly rewarding experiences. Even when all goes well, there is the unknown of the next day, week and year. How do you know you are making the right choices for your child? Is your child is developing normally? Happy? And then there is parental instinct. That voice or feeling that tells you something is not right. After a recent trip to visit family on the East coast, topics of my business came up. Questions about autism in particular. A common thread of the conversations was autism. What qualifications does a child have...

Anxiety to new situations is a normal part of a child’s development. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a particularly difficult time processing changes in their routine and environment. An autistic child may show their anxiety through stimming, meltdowns, withdrawal from social situations, self-injury or inattentiveness.  It is important to be prepared for situations that may be a trigger for your child. Children with ASD are often hypersensitive and unable to filter background sensory information in the form of specific noises, bright lights, and textures. Many parents of ASD children have endorsed calming tools such as weighted...