The month of April is National Autism Awareness Month. In light of this national awareness, we wanted to research the benefits that aromatherapy and deep-pressure items can have on children with autism.
According to the Autism Society, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is “a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.” It is known as a spectrum disorder because the variety of symptoms and severity level differ from person to person. Typical symptoms are difficulty communicating or interacting with other people, limited interest, and symptoms that hurt a person’s ability to function at school, work, or throughout life.
Today, 1 in 68 children have been diagnosed with autism in the United States, and the prevalence is rising. Since the release of this statistic and many others, various research has been conducted on the benefits of aromatherapy and deep-pressure products on children with autism.
Many aromatherapy techniques help improve the sensory system of children with ASD. ASD children tend to have low attention spans, trouble sleeping, and high reactions to stress. According to the Autism Parenting Magazine, essential oils can help reduce stress levels, help them sleep and increase attention. Essential oils such as Frankincense, Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Peppermint, and Chamomile can help ease these daily stresses by rubbing a small amount on their hands and feet or using a plug-in that goes into the wall of their bedroom.
Deep-pressure stimulation increases endorphin production, and other hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine can help improve mood and decrease stress. Deep-Pressure products such as weighted blankets, vests, and pillows can also provide ASD children with comfort and ease their stress. These products allow for deep-pressure stimulation in ASD children because they make them feel like they are being hugged, cuddled, or comforted, which is relaxing to both ASD children and other children alike.
At Mother Earth Pillows, we carry both weighted pillows and essential oils that can bring comfort to all children, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We have a wide variety of pillows that come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and animal friends! Shop our children’s pillows here at https://www.motherearthpillows.com/product-category/mep/for-the-kids/.
This month, we are also running a special on our various essential oils! Visit https://www.motherearthpillows.com/shop-sales/ to view our selection of oils today.
To learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, view our list of sources below.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/essential-oils-for-autism-adhd-add/
https://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/asd-autism-spectrum-disorder/
https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/deep-pressure-therapy
Pillow Talk 