What is a weighted lap pad?
They're smaller than our normal sized weighted blankets (50cm x 40cm) so your child can use at home, school, daycare, anywhere in fact. At 2kgs, their intended purpose is for the lap but they can lie down with it on their body.
The underlying science behind weighted blankets is Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), grounding is at the heart of this science. The weight of the blanket pushes down on your body’s proprioceptive sensors (movement and positioning) calming you down.
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) generates sensations in the body similar to gentle stroking, squeezing, hugs, cuddling or holding, that relaxes the nervous system.
Deep touch pressure also results in increased endorphin levels and releases the “happy hormones” serotonin and dopamine. These ‘happiness hormones’, allow us to combat stress and anxiety more naturally and without the use of psychotropic medication.
Serotonin plays a key role in: Sensory gating and processing, Behaviour inhibition, Appetite, Aggression, Sleep, Mood and Brain Development. Serotonin is also a necessary building block for melatonin that is important for healthy sleep.
The parasympathetic system of your autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and stimulating the digestive tract. Deep touch pressure increases this parasympathetic activity and helps slow many high energy functions of the body, thereby helping with regulation
The sympathetic system of your autonomic nervous system is often referred to as the “fight or flight” response that is elicited during stressful or emergency situations. Think of the adrenaline rush you experience when you’re in an accident or come across a dangerous situation. That is your sympathetic system at work!
Deep touch pressure decreases this “fight or flight” sympathetic activity and decreases the level of cortisol (stress hormone) which is hugely impactful for people who experience stress, anxiety, or fear on a regular basis (anxiety, PTSD, dementia, ASD).
Reduces anxiety at home or at school
For people living with anxiety commonly associated with autism, ADHD, PTSD or people dealing with everyday stresses of life.
Perfect for:
Sleep Disorder | Anxiety Disorder | ADHD | Sensory Processing Disorder | Autism Spectrum Disorder | People who love weight on them | Restless Leg Sufferers
