Earlier last month, SensaCalm sent Southland Pediatric Therapy Services TWO amazing Peaceful Pals to share with our patients. Pictured left are the weighted plush stuffed animals that each weigh approximately 5 pounds.

Occupational Therapist Megan had wonderful things to say about these great therapy tools and their uses: “Weighted equipment such as a stuffed animal, lap pad, or weighted vest provides proprioceptive input which can be calming and soothing to a child. Proprioceptive input, or heavy work input, gives a child’s body information about position and body awareness. It is the same concept as an adult who likes to run to relieve stress or taps their

foot on the ground while working. This type of heavy work input has many benefits for kids including increased attention to task, improved self-regulation and calm, and decreased fidgeting. Research supports the idea that weighted equipment can assist children during structured tasks and reduce interfering behaviors such as inattention or increased

movement during seated tasks. While not all children respond positively to weighted equipment, I have seen it assist fidgety, inattentive kids during structured tasks with increased focus and decreased stress.”

The monkey will stay in the office as a tool to be used by our patients during therapy treatments and evaluations. The adorable grey dog will be raffled off to a very deserving Southland patient very soon, please stay tuned for more information. As you can see, these pals have already been welcomed with warm hugs in the office and have proven how valuable they can be to calm and comfort the patients and staff.