Homemade, Adjustable, and Washable Weighted Blankets

These are the homemade, adjustable, and washable weighted blankets that many in the family worked on for Christmas. The design and most of the work was done by Grandma. If you don't want to make it all from scratch, you can attach the weighted pockets to any blanket made from material strong enough to hold the weight. For Instructions Click Here

6 blankets, 4 with weighted attached pockets

This is the backside of the second blanket from the left.

  Strips with snaps to attach the weighted pockets to the blanket for easy assemble.

The weighted bags may be removed from the pockets 

so the blanket and pockets may be washed.

Six pockets across and ten down for a twin size bed.
The best part is deciding where to have the weight.
Not every pocket has to be filled.

Each pocket has velcro inside to attach each bag in five spots.

Then they don't fall out and have even weight distribution.

  The top of the blanket has a flap sewn over 

to keep the snaps from coming undone.

DSPD Services

If you are interested in having your child placed on the Division of Services for People with Disabilities waiting list for future services you can contact the Intake Department - let them know you want your child with a disability placed on the waiting list for the Home and Community Based Waiver Program.

Intake - 1-877-568-0084

Toll Free 1-800-837-6811

State Office  801-538-4200

www.dspd.utah.gov

You must first be on the waiting list to be eligible for services.  It can be a long wait - don't be discouraged - but this is how the state legislature will know how many kids need services.

The Crappy Life of the Autism Mom

Here is a quote from  "The Crappy Life of the Autism Mom" by Kim Stagliano

"Autism is like a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (from the Harry Potter books.) Some autistics got the raspberry cream or root beer flavor. They can speak eloquently, write blogs, move out on their own, marry, have children and manage their autistic traits. Others with autism, like my three girls, got the ear wax/vomit/dog poop flavor. They need help 24/7 to navigate the world."

Order From Amazon

If you are having trouble with the button on the left for Pay Pal, The book, Autism Understanding The Puzzle is also listed for purchase on Amazon, be sure to purchase it from Sharla Jordan if you want an autographed copy.

Book Review from a Grandmother

I have my own copy of the book by Sharla Jordan, Autism, Understanding The Puzzle, and am amazed at all the information that is contained in such a small book!  This book is so easy for anyone to understand and comprehend more fully the different aspects of Autism.  It helps me to see better the challenges of parents, teachers and care givers who assist persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
    
Throughout the book Sharla has listed questions asked by people who really want to know about Autism.  She then goes on to address and answer those questions in very simple language.  This has been very helpful to me, a grandmother, with eight grandchildren who have been diagnosed with Autism.  The Table of Contents lists every question, with the page it is on, making it so helpful and quick to find what I want to read about!
      
I highly recommend this book to anyone with their own questions about Autism!!!   
By Junith Roberts

Best Autism Book Out There!

Short, Sweet, and to the Point.

I highly recommend the book, 
Autism Understanding the Puzzle, to parents and extended family.

I Love It!

Even my husband has read it.

By Laura Benedict
Mother of a child with Severe Autism
Parent Advocate for Dr. Lisa Palmeri
pediatric specialist for children with autism

I just read the book "Autism: Understanding the Puzzle" and highly recommend it! The book is written in a way that even I could understand. I have 10+ nieces/nephews who have autism so I was very interested in reading it. One part of the book helps explain some "do's & don'ts" and if I'd had these suggestions years ago it could have prevents some hurt feelings.

If you work with children or have relatives with autism, this book is a must read.

By Donna Millett

Autism, Understanding the Puzzle is excellent. It accomlishing its purpose of helping its readers, people like me, to understand "the Puzzle" of autism.  It explains the terminology.  It provides a broad basic understanding of the many types and categories and degrees of autism.  It does so without requiring a lot of time in study or research.  It provides hope.  It assists a person who may have difficulty with aceptance of autism in someone who is dear.  It is useful and practical.

David L. Roberts

Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Autism Night Before Christmas

Autism Night Before Christmas

by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color and style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing

You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…….

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Our boys have benefited from therapeutic horseback riding for over 2 years. 

Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune about Hoofbeats to Healing.

The article talks about this little girl, Kate, David Benedict's daughter. 

She is one of our cherished friends we recommended horse therapy to.

It has improved her behaviors and interactions with others.