Sorry, TM, I didn't have those instructions but I do remember the thread a very long time ago. Can't remember who it was though either. It's common to those of us with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids so I'd have to guess it's one of us with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kid.
I did suggest a rice bag (heated if you choose) for weight on muscles, for arthritis, bad back, etc. Rice only because it's easy to heat in the microwave and retains the heat for some time. Wouldn't be washable though unless you put the rice is smaller bags to take them out before washing. Then could make the blanket with pockets or channels for the bags. Also could then control the weight by how many rice bags you put in the pockets or channels. Would also be easier to heat individual bags of rice than a whole blanket if your child is particularly cold in bed. Mind you, devil that I am I'd be turning down the heat in the house and heating blankets to get mine into bed. LOL. Same principal could be used to make a weighted jacket. I have my rice in a flannel pillow case for my back. Think I have 10 lbs in there.
For a kid who responds to a weighted blanket I have to suggest a "kid taco"... a name my kid's created. LOL. But also used in Occupational Therapist (OT). Roll the child up in a carpet, obviously only below the head for breathing. Mine could lay in this for an hour happily watching TV.
Keep in mind that all of this is similar in concept to Temple Grandin's "hug machine".
As mine are older now I don't visit PZ anymore. So I don't know the whole story here.... has this child been evaluated by a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) specialist? Obviously many markers of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) from what it seems.
"Cranio-sacral therapy"
Found this on it.
http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/Whatis.htm
Obviously it falls into the domain of "alternative medicine", not the Occupational Therapist (OT) we all know. Also not clear to me as to why this would be called Occupational Therapist (OT). Certainly it's a form of alternative therapy but in fact here's what the non-profit group to promote it says it's for...
"Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy takes a whole-person approach to healing and the inter-connections of mind, body and spirit are deeply acknowledged. It is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of illnesses helping to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging vitality and facilitating a sense of well-being. It is suitable for people of all ages including babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective in acute or chronic cases."
Can't say I see this as a substitute for Occupational Therapist (OT), but that's only MHO,.... from a person who knows nothing about this kind of therapy. Guess I'm just saying that little kids have a closing window of chances to improve in some areas, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) being one. Personally I wouldn't put all my eggs in the basket of this kind of therapy. I would use more traditional therapies designed to address the specific issues of my child... but I'm not generally an alternative medication person either.
