Before Matthew was formally diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) he was given the diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Many kids on the ASD also have SPD. Matthew’s issues seemed to be mostly auditory, proprioceptive, and vestibular in nature with some visual processing issues thrown in also. I was given a daily “sensory diet” which consisted of different physical activities he needed to do to help his body learn to understand and process all the incoming stimuli he was experiencing. One thing that many kids with SPDs and ASDs like is deep pressure such as bear hugs, log rolls and being “sandwiched” between pillows. This type of input helps their bodies to regulate and organize themselves and then the children can focus and be more calm and productive. But bear hugs aren’t always practical so a great option would be a weighted lap pad.
BeachtimeQuilts has wonderful lap pads that are 15″ x 20″ and weigh 2 lbs. The outer fabric can be cotton, flannel or fleece and the inner pad is filled with hypo allergenic polypropolene beads. Velcro makes it easy to remove the cover for washing. These pads would be great to use in any school, home or therapy setting. I can see parents taking them on vacation, to restaurants and movies. Teachers may want to use them in class when it may be more difficult to pull a child out for some deep pressure work. Therapists may want to show the child how to use the lap pad to help them calm down and take control of a situation. I even had one mom tell me she would like one for herself.
Carol at BeachtimeQuilts has offered one of my readers the chance to win their very own BeachtimeQuilts Lap Pad.
Mandatory Entry: Take a minute to go check out the lap pad and other items at BeachtimeQuilts, then come back here and leave a comment telling me why you would like one of these fabulous lap pads. Please remember to leave a valid email address, your blog address or some way to contact you if you win.
Extra Entries: You can earn extra chances to win just by doing any or all of the following. Leave a comment for each of the things you do, but you MUST fulfill the Mandatory Entry first.
· Add Matthews Puzzle to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link!
· Blog about the contest – add a link to Matthews Puzzle and the Sponsor
· Add Matthews Puzzle button to your site OR add Matthews Puzzle to your blog roll.
· Follow Matthews Puzzle publicly – see Follow button in left sidebar.
· Go to Generation Rescue, read a bit about Autism and then come back here and tell me something you learned.
· Go to Age of Autism, read an article and come back here and tell me something you learned.
Contest Ends May 1st at 11:59 PM EDT. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. I will email the prize winner and also post winners names here on this post. Winner will be chosen at Random – I will use Random.com to select the winner. Contest is open to US residents only.
I would love to have one of the quilts for my niece whose expecting a baby in May.
I have a little autistic son with a first love for Thomas the Train! Compression helps control his stimming. I believe a lap pad could enhance the quality of my son life. I hope we win!
My 6 year old boy has asperger’s, spd, and auditory processing disorder. He is in sensory therapy and his therapist said a lap blanket may help his stay calm while doing his homework. Thank you for having the contest!!!
My son does love being wrapped and covered! This blanket would be great but he hate Thomas the train he says its for babies (he is 4) I did like the flip flop quilt too! My kids have beach themed rooms.
I also visited generation rescue and I didn’t know Jenny McCarthy wrote 2 books on Autisim I am planning to purchase them soon.
My son has SPD and loves deep pressure – this lap pad is an awesome idea! I think even if I don’t win it – I’m going to buy one for him! Thanks for the information!!
jennifernew81 at hotmail dot com
I love going to the Generation Rescue web site and I am also a member of their group on Facebook. They are having a bowling fundraiser in 12 different cities throughout the US on the 19th of this month. I will be at the one in Michigan. Please check it out and sign up if it is in your area!!
I love the weighted blanket for my asd son. It is sooooo expensive though. Cute blog!
I love the fish bowls quilt it is gorgeous. My daughter has down syndrome and loves to sleep with my legs on her I think she would love a weighted blanket.
have a friend who could really use these
the blanket is nice. mverno@roadrunner.com
I love the weighted blanket. My son, Nicholas, is a major deep pressure seeker! Thanks for this great contest Maryann!
julie.schade@yahoo.com
Hi, the weighted lap pad would help my 4 year old pdd nos son focus during speech therapy sessions, we have not been able to afford one yet, although we have a sensory diet implemented at home. I am also a student of occupational therapy, and look forward to helping other special needs children with sensory needs when I start to work! Great blog, thank you, and God Bless, Beth beth36elizabeth@aol.com
sign me up
I love the photo quilt very cute! Thanks for the giveaway I just found your blog and find it so informational thank you:)
I’m also a follower:)
What a great idea!! Love the deep pressure idea. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win this for my dear friend she would love it. THank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I would like to win it to keep in the car, so when we do our Spring and Summer outside ‘outings’ there is something familiar for my son to sit down on wherever we go. I think the routine of it will please him, and the convenience of it will please mom!
msurosey@yahoo.com
I have a 3 y/o son who LOVES Thomas. He has been diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, and SPD. We have been told time and time again that he NEEDS a weighted blanket. With all the therapies that he and his sister diagnosed with SPD and ADHD and they also have a baby sister…the funds are just not there. This would seriously be a luxury! Thanks for having this contest!
I home school my son and have never tried this to see if it would help with focus & attention, but would love to.
celsass1@yahoo.com
I like the saying on the Fish Bowl quilt. “Maintenance free pets! Will never again have to flush a dead fish down the toilet.”
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
Blog follower
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
From Generation Rescue:Casein (dairy) and Gluten (wheat) are the most common allergens for children with mercury poisoning. Anecdotally, it seems more parents notice an immediate difference in behavior after the removal of dairy from their child’s diet. It is important to remove foods slowly to ascertain which food removal created improvement.
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
I’d love this for my son , who has some sensory issues.
I would like this for my “special needs” child. To me he is just special. Thomas the Tank Engine would be the perfect choice, as well.
http://lissalikeloveit.blogspot.com/
I Have Matthew’s button:)
http://lissalikeloveit.blogspot.com/
I want to win because a friend’s child suffers. I love the fish bowls
I would love to win one for my cousin who has sensory issues. This lap pad seems as though it would be great for him.
apeak AT hotmail DOT com
The fish quilt is beautiful, too! Just thought I would tell you!
My son is SPD and he responds well to deep pressure OT; I have been wanting to get a weighted lap pad for him to see if we could actually make it through an entire meal together as a family, just once! I would love that!
onlycancan ta hotmail tod com
I like the Breast Cancer Quilt.
sam94son05@sbcglobal.net
Following blog.
sam94son05@sbcglobal.net
The United States mandates the most vaccines
in the Western world (36), double the average of the 30
countries studied (18).
sam94son05@sbcglobal.net
Autism screening, as recommended by AAP, is happening as early as 18 months.
sam94son05@sbcglobal.net
our friend’s son suffers and could benefit from this.
Zach loves Thomas and weighted items really help him(he sleeps with a corn bag at night…so we could exchange the girly looking one for a cool thomas one).
I follow.
I think this would be calming to my little one
JeansandTs@hotmail.com
I love the FISH BOWL QUILT. I would love to have it to add to the small quilts I collect and take to the Veteran’s in wheel chairs. Small lap quilts are a great way for American’s to show their appreciation to wheel chair bound Veterans.
This would be wonderful for my niece.
ktgonyea at gmail.com
wow
i’d like to have my little ones calm down some time with these pads
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
Id like to use this for my legs when I watch tv when its cold. The fish bowls quilt was neat.skyxsky27[at]gmail.com
Following blog. skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
Matthew’s button http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/ skyxsky27[at]gmail.com
I’d love to have one for my sister who is starting a family
Id love to have one for my great grandson
Having one for kids makes it easier for them to sit without lots of motion. Like to give on to my grandson’s school
My stepdaughter is autistic and has trouble sitting still.
twincere[at]hotmail.com
My son has special needs and we have a weighted blanket for him. When he is having a hard time we put the blanket on him and wrap him up and he calms down. That blankie is starting to get a little ragged so this would be nice.
souldolphindream@aol.com
thanks
They look like they would get a lot of attention with all of those beautiful patterns 🙂