Hi! I have a baby cousin who was recently diagnosed with SPD and I would like to make him a stim toy. The weighted stuffed animal seems like a pretty good idea considering he's only 2. I was just wondering what the extra weight does exactly? I'm very new and don't know much about this so I apologize, but I would like to learn more about it to be able to make things for him because he's overwhelmed a lot. Also, if there's other things you might recommend for a 2 year old that would be fantastic.
Hi there! Using weighted blankets and toys provides a form of sensory input called proprioceptive input. People who need this kind of input often do so because they have trouble feeling where their bodies are in space, and how to move their bodies with the right amount of pressure. People who have proprioceptive dysfunction can appear to be clumsy and uncoordinated.
Pressure can help people who have trouble with their proprioception feel their body and to know where it is. For me, having heavy things on me helps calm me down, and makes me feel more grounded and real. It is very helpful when I am feeling overwhelmed. It gives me a sense of where I am, kinda helps put all of my senses back in check, if that makes sense.
You can read more about proprioception here, as well as here.
Other things that might help a 2-year-old are sensory doughs. I would recommend making ones that are made out of edible substances, as young kids love to stick things in their mouths. Using things like sensory bins with beads, water, foam, rice, salt, flour, etc. in them can also help. Sensory play is also important for the development of all children, so you’ll be helping both their SPD and their development!
Our tactile input tag and our makeityourself tag have a lot of links to sensory dough recipes that you can try out! If you use google or pintrest, you will also find lots of recipes.
I hope that is helpful to you! Please feel free to ask anything any time.
