Weighted blankets-input or advice requested in Day to day life from a woman that turned 60 in Oct 2014 and who lives on a farm and Retired on January 2, 2016. I plan to do more sewing, work outside in the yard and just enjoy my retirement.

I am going to attempt to make weighted blankets, possibly weighted vests, and neck scarves if demand warrents. However, I've never done such a project but have Googled a LOT of information and have a good idea on how and how much. This request if for those of you that have actual experience with an autistic child whom these weighted items would or have had benefit. This is your chance, if you have time or the want to, to give me some pointers, advice, from experiences--good or bad. My goal, if I can master this, is to make various sizes and weights of the weighted blankets, and sell them at a REASONABLE cost to those that need them. The cost of these weighted items are over the top, in my opinion. There needs to be a source that can provide these very much needed and helpful items at affordable prices. In order for me to embark on such an adventure, I need facts. If I'm going to put the time and energy into a project I want the outcome to be beneficial to the receiver. I do know that the weight is usually 10% of the child's weight. I know they need to be washable and dryable and I have ordered and am waiting for the poly pellets to arrive. I have my grandkids this weekend so the first attempt will not happen until later but hopefully soon.

I also have been toying with the idea of once the "primary" blanket is completed, to make same size slip type covers that could be instrumental in delaying the removal of such weighted blanket while being laundered. The primary blanket will be fine to be laundered, but the slip cover (I'm thinking) could be removed to be laundered and the child would still be able to have the blanket. On occasion the blanket would need to be laundered but the time span should be longer in between. With that thought, will it work or will it throw off the child to have a removable cover. The plan is to use velcro, but still not sure about the "hiding" of the velcro and the roughness while the slip cover is being laundered. My brain is on overdrive on this so that is why I'm posting this for thoughts, and experience of moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, etc who acutally are or have been 1st hand learners of this need.

Please, don't hestitate to put any information down that would be beneficial for calming and soothing a meltdown.

**The POLY PELLETS arrived this evening!! WooHooo!

Thank you