Weighted Blankets for Autism Spectrum Families

Hi Nicola. I just found your page and want to Thank you for the amazing kind work you are doing to help people with autism and their families. I found your page while looking for an affordable option for a weighted blanket for my friend who's son has ASD, River is 13 years old, he is level 3 and requires substantial support, he is non verbal and really struggles with sleeping and when he gets overtired he lashes out violently. His mum, Jamie, is trying her best, she unfortunately lost her job due to repeatedly having to leave work to attend to Rivers needs when the teachers at his special education school in Hamilton can't safely handle his behavior. I would really like to help out but I'm just not in a financial position where I can afford the hundreds of dollars that a decent weighted blanket costs.

What I would be able to do is go around friends and family and ask them to put in a little bit each and raise enough for the beads and hopefully at least enough to donate towards your wonderful work to make blankets for other families. River is 70kgs and would require a blanket around 7kg. Is it possible for this to be achieved? And roughly how much would the beads for a blanket of that weight cost? He loves the feeling of soft fabrics, mink in particular. I'm not sure what materials are usually used or if mink would even be suitable for weighted blankets. I would be able to source some fabric If that helps at all.

Sincerely,

Brad Archer

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. If you want to contact me you are welcome to contact me through here or my email bradarcher89@gmail.com or phone/txt on 0273097656