Has your child recently been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, or something of a similar nature? Have you found it difficult getting the attention of your child? Does he or she struggle in school? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then lack of sleep may be at the route of your problems and now is the time to answer the question ‘what is a weighted blanket?’
ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are generally described as difficulty paying attention and impulsivity. Essentially, this means that the child might have trouble staying focused in school, making it difficult to produce quality work. He or she may be easily distracted, fail to properly finish tasks that have been started, is likely to regularly procrastinate, may have problems with disorganization, and may seem as if he or she is not listening at all. Hyperactivity can make it difficult for the child to sit still. He or she will have a habit of walking, running, and climbing at inappropriate times. This can make it difficult to play or work quietly.
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder shares many of the same symptoms as ADHD, except that children diagnosed with it will not have the same level of difficulty with hyperactivity. Difficulty focusing on a task is the main issue.
Anxiety
Generally considered a problem for adults, there are many children who are prone to anxiety and panic attacks. This can involve sudden feelings of being overwhelmed, can cause heart palpitations, sweating, shaking or even loss of breath. A child with severe anxiety might have an unusual fear of dying or may have sudden bouts of nausea. In less severe cases, the child might be easily angered, have difficulty concentrating, and be easily fatigued.
How Can Weighted Blankets for AnxietyHelp?
Very often the signs and symptoms of these conditions can also be attributed to poor sleep habits. Even children with autism can see greatly increased issues if they have difficulty sleeping. For some parents it is easy to see that a child is having difficulty sleeping, but in some instances, that is not so obvious. There are a large number of children in this country who suffer from sleep apnea. This condition causes loud snoring when the child sleeps and can cause lapses in breathing overnight, waking the child several times. However, this is not the only condition that can leave children tired in the morning. Sleepwalking, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, narcolepsy, and several other common sleep disorders can arise in children, just as they do in adults. The result can be a child who has difficulty with mood, may be more impulsive, less able to focus, and more likely to cause trouble. Weighted blankets are designed to help those with many of these sleeping disorders. The first step to addressing the problem should be to speak to a sleep specialist and have your child accessed for these common conditions. With weighted blankets for autism or one of the aforementioned behavior problems, children can find the rest they really need.
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