How Weighted Blankets and Toys Are Making a Big Difference in Schools

Supporting Sensory Needs in Education with Calm, Comfort, and Care

School can be a hectic place. Think about the noise, the movement, the expectations, and the constant switching between tasks. For most students, this is manageable (even if not always enjoyable). But for children with sensory sensitivities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or developmental disabilities, this environment can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s where weighted blankets and toys come in - quietly transforming classrooms and support spaces into calmer, more focused environments.

In recent years, educators, occupational therapists, and researchers have started to better understand the role of sensory supports in education. Let’s take a closer look at how weighted products are being used in schools, what the science says, and how they’re helping students thrive.

The Science of Pressure: Why Weight Helps

Weighted blankets and toys aren’t just cozy - they’re designed based on a concept called deep pressure stimulation. This gentle, evenly distributed weight has been shown to calm the nervous system, much like a firm hug or being gently swaddled.

Research, including the Outcome Measures in Evaluation of Weighted Blankets: A Scoping Review by Maria Lönn and Ellen Odéus, shows growing evidence that weighted blankets and similar tools can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and support better regulation of emotions and attention.

In the context of education, this matters a lot. Students who struggle with sensory processing or emotional regulation may find it difficult to participate in classroom routines, focus on tasks, or manage transitions. Weighted tools provide a non-verbal, non-invasive way to support those needs.

Calm in the Classroom: How Schools Are Using Weighted Tools

More and more schools across Australia (and around the world) are incorporating sensory resources into classrooms, therapy rooms, and quiet spaces. Here’s how:

• Lap Blankets During Desk Work: Weighted lap blankets are a subtle way to offer calming pressure while students are seated. They're especially helpful during writing, reading, or testing, when focus is needed.
• Weighted Toys for Fidgeting or Regulation: Soft, weighted animals and plush toys offer dual benefits - they provide tactile comfort and deep pressure. Plus, they’re socially acceptable and easy to carry.
• Blankets During Rest Breaks: Some schools offer quiet sensory corners or “chill out” zones where students can rest under a weighted blanket when they’re overstimulated or anxious.
• Therapy Support Tools: Occupational therapists often use weighted items during one-on-one or group sessions to help students prepare for or recover from sensory-heavy tasks.

What Educators and Parents Are Saying

One of the most powerful insights from the scoping review by Lönn and Odéus is that even though more research is still needed to standardise outcomes, both educators and parents report positive impacts when weighted tools are used regularly.

• Some of the most common feedback includes:
• Students appear calmer and more focused
• Reduced need for external behavioural interventions
• Improvements in transitions between activities or environments
• Greater independence in emotional regulation

In short, when students feel safe and regulated, they’re better able to learn.

Sensory Overload Is Real—And It’s Preventable

Let’s not forget how overwhelming school environments can be - especially for children with autism. A loud bell. Crowded hallways. Bright lights. Sudden transitions. These everyday elements can become barriers to learning and wellbeing.

In the article Back to Basics: Practical Strategies to Reduce Sensory Overstimulation, researchers found that both adults and caregivers of children with ASD identified sensory overload as a major concern, not just in hospitals but in many public settings - including schools.

They emphasized simple, proactive strategies like reducing noise and creating calm zones. Weighted blankets and toys align beautifully with this approach. They're portable, predictable, and require no batteries, screens, or setup - just access and consistency.

Designing Spaces That Support Sensory Well-Being

It’s not just about the tools - it’s also about the environment. The study Creating and Testing a Sensory Well–Being Hub for Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities by Park, Nanda, and Hoelting explored the creation of specially designed sensory spaces for students who needed more than a typical classroom could offer.

Their findings showed that when students had access to sensory-friendly furniture, lighting, and calming tools like weighted items, they reported feeling safer, more in control, and more able to manage their emotions.

One key takeaway from their work: sensory support should be an integrated part of school culture, not an afterthought or only used as a “last resort.”

Making Weighted Tools Work in Schools

If you’re an educator, parent, or support worker wondering how to bring weighted tools into a school setting, here are a few tips:

1. Start Small: Begin with a few lap blankets or a weighted toy for individual use. Observe and document the impact.
2. Train Staff: Ensure teachers and aides understand how and when to use the tools - especially that they are not punishment or reward, but a support strategy.
3. Include the Student: Give the child ownership over when and how they use their blanket or toy. This promotes independence and self-regulation.
4. Create a Sensory Toolkit: Combine weighted items with other sensory supports like noise-canceling headphones, fiddle tools, and visual schedules.
5. Work With Occupational Therapists: OTs can help tailor weighted tools to individual needs and ensure they are used safely and effectively.

Are There Any Risks?

As with anything, weighted tools aren’t one-size-fits-all. For example:

• They shouldn’t be too heavy (the general guideline is around 10% of body weight for blankets).
• They should never restrict movement or breathing.
• They shouldn’t be forced on a student.

Proper supervision and individualised use are key. But when used correctly, they’re a safe and low-tech way to make a big difference.

The Takeaway: Weighted Tools Create Opportunities for Success

Schools are beginning to recognise that regulation and learning go hand-in-hand. A calm child is a learning-ready child. Weighted blankets and toys may look simple, but they represent a powerful shift in how we support kids who learn and experience the world a little differently.

They give students dignity, autonomy, and the comfort of knowing their needs are seen and supported - not just tolerated.

Whether it’s a weighted dinosaur toy tucked under a desk or a lap blanket during morning circle time, these tools are becoming quiet heroes in classrooms across the country. And as the research continues to grow, so does the evidence that weighted supports are more than just a trend - they’re a smart, science-backed strategy for inclusive education.

Interested in learning more or adding weighted tools to your classroom?
Check out our full range of handmade, Australian-made weighted blankets and toys, designed specifically for sensory support in schools and beyond.