Dear Sensory Super Heroes... Can a Lap Blanket Help with Meltdowns, Meals & School Focus?
This week’s letter comes from a mum who's overwhelmed, and we sent this reply back straight away. When you're in that headspace, hearing from someone who gets it can make all the difference.
Perhaps the timing for this message will be helpful for you this week too.
❤️💜💙
Perhaps the timing for this message will be helpful for you this week too.
❤️💜💙
Hi SSH Team, Love your work.
Hope you can help I’m feeling pretty [bleep]ing done. My 6-year-old daughter is Autistic/ADHD, and I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells.
Every little thing, getting dressed, getting in the car, getting out of the car, can turn into a full-blown meltdown. She’s having violent outbursts at home, refuses to sit at the table, and everything just feels too hard. I’ve heard that a weighted lap blanket might help, but honestly... I’m overwhelmed and I get so much “well meaning” advice from everywhere. I’m trying to be grateful for that but not even sure where to begin.
Every little thing, getting dressed, getting in the car, getting out of the car, can turn into a full-blown meltdown. She’s having violent outbursts at home, refuses to sit at the table, and everything just feels too hard. I’ve heard that a weighted lap blanket might help, but honestly... I’m overwhelmed and I get so much “well meaning” advice from everywhere. I’m trying to be grateful for that but not even sure where to begin.
Is this something worth trying?
Thanks team!
Thanks team!
Lorissa
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Lorissa , we hear you - so loudly and so clearly,
Something must be in the air this past week because we’ve had big emotions flying at us from all directions at home too. We know feeling of the constant tension and the whispered judgments. My psychologist calls it the emotional whiplash,which I love, and we hear this so often from families trying their best to support children with big, beautiful, and busy brains.
A few years ago a teacher told us, “Well, your daughter is doing fine at school… so maybe it’s something you’re doing at home.”
That hit me in the gut... hard.
You are not alone in this. But I also remember reading an email from someone telling me “You’re not alone”… and I thought “Well I am actually. It’s not like your here helping me!" ❤️ (plus a few extra expletives. not sure if that's just me or if others feel like that when they read it too LOL)
So I'm conscious to make sure we at least can share with you what we’ve come to understand and will definitely answer your question about lap blankets like I'm supposed to... but I kinda want to share with you what Dr Tony Attwood sat and told my sister and I once.
Your child’s behaviours are not a reflection of bad parenting.
They are signs of a nervous system that’s overwhelmed, and a child who feels safest letting it all out with the person they trust most — you. That, in itself, means you’re doing a bloody good job. YOU are the expert. And Tony Attwood if he was sitting in front of you would say, "It takes 7 years to get a PHD so congratulations 'Doctor Lorissa', you now have a PHD in your child." and don't let someone else's piece of paper let you believe otherwise.
Please be mindful that some parenting advice might not be relevant for ND kids. In our experience, if you can take some time just to lean-in and listen to your own mum intuition about a particular piece of advice, and trust your intuition. Even better take your shoes off and stand on the grass (anywhere) and then quietly ask the question again. If it's a yes, then trust that answer with a plan to just give different things a try and suss out what suits your family best. No stress if it doesn’t work, just let that idea go and try the next bit of well meaning advice, or something else creative that Dr Lorissa feels might be a good idea. Everyone is different.
And yes — to answer your question — lap blankets are absolutely worth a look. For our daughter, she says it’s like getting a “Floydie” hug when our dog Floyd can't be with her. They’ve been a game-changer for us.
It's good timing because our lap blankets are back in stock next week, so we’ll let you know as soon as they arrive.
You’re doing the brave, beautiful work of helping your child feel safe in their body and in their world. A lap blanket is just one tool in the toolbox — but for many families, it’s a game-changer.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.
With big hugs and soft landings,
Kally & Jenna ❤️
Kally & Jenna ❤️
& the Sensory Super Heroes Team
🦸♀️💛🦸♂️
Helping your child feel safe to be spicy.
🦸♀️💛🦸♂️
Helping your child feel safe to be spicy.
💡 What’s a Weighted Lap Blanket — and why might it help?
Think of it like a portable, pressure-filled hug that gently calms your child’s body and brain. It activates the proprioceptive system (basically, the body’s way of feeling safe and anchored in space), which can help dial down the overwhelm and bring their thinking brain back online.
Think of it like a portable, pressure-filled hug that gently calms your child’s body and brain. It activates the proprioceptive system (basically, the body’s way of feeling safe and anchored in space), which can help dial down the overwhelm and bring their thinking brain back online.
Here’s how families use them:
💥 For Meltdowns & Big Emotions
When your child is in fight-or-flight mode (what we call “Grug brain”), reasoning doesn’t work — because their body thinks it’s in danger. A weighted lap blanket gives calming pressure to help signal, “You’re safe. You’re here. You’re okay.”.
Some families use it as a meltdown circuit-breaker. Others use it proactively — to reduce the build-up that leads to the outburst.
When your child is in fight-or-flight mode (what we call “Grug brain”), reasoning doesn’t work — because their body thinks it’s in danger. A weighted lap blanket gives calming pressure to help signal, “You’re safe. You’re here. You’re okay.”.
Some families use it as a meltdown circuit-breaker. Others use it proactively — to reduce the build-up that leads to the outburst.
🍽️ For Sitting - at the table, floor, desk, or doing a craft activity
For kids who struggle to stay seated, the lap blanket adds just enough weight to help their body feel grounded. It’s like giving their nervous system a little anchor, so they can stay still long enough to eat, draw, read, or play without needing to constantly move.
🚗 For Transitions (aka the chaos zones)
Whether it’s getting in the car, switching activities, or just walking through the school gates — transitions can feel massive for neurodivergent kids.
Here’s where the lap blanket can help:
Whether it’s getting in the car, switching activities, or just walking through the school gates — transitions can feel massive for neurodivergent kids.
Here’s where the lap blanket can help:
- Before a transition – to calm and prep
- During – to soothe in the moment
- After – to recover and regulate
It’s like taking a piece of “safe” they can carry wherever they go. (Though our little one carried hers all around the cross country track once!!! LOL! A teacher noticed her half-way around and she said... "I was feeling nervous and I it really helped" - needless to say the teacher helped her carry it the rest of the way! xox) 😂