Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"How do I support a learner who is dependent on being under a blanket? They often come into school with a blanket over their buggy. They walk around under it (often falling over), play with books and toys under it, and they will let me peek under it and engage with them. They do come out from under it, but it can take up to 2 hours in SEND provision with high staffing ratios. This has been happening for more than half a term.
They do not choose to use a tent when offered. I think it is based on security, but I have also wondered about light sensitivity. Eyes may be squeezed tight under the blanket too. Thank you."
Thank you for this amazing description; it’s really helpful. I have a student who does a similar thing.
We found a few things helped our pupils;
- Lights off when you can (lots of lights flicker for light-sensitive children, even if we don’t notice!). Hats, hoodies, sunglasses, and caps can all help this. In the end, my pupil wore a hoodie with the hood up at all times, which was safer than the blanket.
- Your observation about it being a comfort is a wise one. It may be a transition tool as it comes from home and school and feels familiar and smells safe. I found that intensive interaction supported relationship and trust building; the blanket would come down when he felt relaxed and safe. Having his own clutter-free environment away from the classroom chaos helped, too.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
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