Unusual attachment to comfort blanket (ASD)

[Areyoufree]

Currently in the process of getting DD assessed for ASD. One thing her first child minder was concerned about was her high dependence on her comfort blanket. It's the only toy she plays with (apart from 'doing' toys like blocks, jigsaws, games etc). If she hurts herself, she screams for it. The only way she can calm down is to hold it, smelling it, while stroking it. She has never slept without it. I bought her a little cot recently, and even though she has dolls and teddies, it was the blanket that went in the cot. I have even made the wretched thing clothes (it's one of those blankets with a head on top). It completely rules our lives! She shows no sign of growing out of it, even though she is nearly 5. I can't find much information about this online, and was just curious as to whether this is standard behaviour for kids, or whether it is to do with her possible ASD.

[Ineedmorepatience]

Yes its can be an Asd thing!

She will give it up when she is ready! Makes sure you have spares!

[BuffySENsational]

Yup oh the horrors of having to wash it and not finding the spare

[WellTidy]

Ds2 is incredibly attached to his blanket and has ASD. He is 4.6yo. He has liked having his blanket for a few years. Fortunately, I worked out that it was the texture of the blanket that he liked, not the colour or size or smell. So we have been able to introduce substitutes without any problems (it is one of those traditional soft fleece type baby blankets with little raised dots that always seem to be sold pretty much everywhere with a baby range).

We take the blanket everywhere as it helps him feel reassured in a new place and comforted when he feels anxious.

[WellTidy]

That said, I know min ASD children who are very, very attached to a blanket, cloth, teddy etc and need them for bedtime or reassurance.

[Areyoufree]

Spares - I wish! She was given about half a dozen different ones when she was born, but attached herself to the only one that was then discontinued. It's cost us a fortune over the years, what with her leaving it here and there, resulting in many frantic step retracing exercises. It's getting very past its prime now, but I had been thinking that once it fell apart, that would be it. However, since her attachment doesn't seem to be lessening, and since the replies here have made me realise that it might not for some time, I did another eBay search, and actually found some second hand ones. They obviously know how desperate parents can be though, as they are all over ten pounds for a second hand comfort blanket that probably cost less than five new! Needless to say, I bought one. We shall see if we can transfer her affection...

Thanks for the replies, its definitely helps to hear other people's experiences.

[WellTidy]

I'm glad you found a spare. Before I realized I could easily substitute one blanket for another for DS, I thought I'd have to get one made. The first one that he was attached to was a white soft fleece with a teddy bear applique. My mum got it from Matalan (who change their stock all the time) when he was born, and I lost it somewhere in a one mile radius on 23rd December when he was 20 months. I retraced steps, went into every shop I'd passed etc, but couldn't get it back. I thought I'd have to get the applique copied from a photograph but thankfully DS accepted other blankets.

A friend of mine has had a nightmare situation because her DD was attached to a cashmere blanket from Harrods which she had received from godparents as a newborn. No problem getting more of them but they were in the region of £200 each, couldn't machine wash, shed fibres (she used to like to put it near her mouth) etc. Her DD is completely neuro-typical by the way.

[Areyoufree]

Hmm...DDs comfort blanket is also a Matalan one. Am now suspicious that they have a highly lucrative second hand comfort blanket side line. It's a perfect business plan - get toddlers hooked, discontinue the line, then sell excess stock on eBay. Genius.

But, you're right. At least it isn't one from Harrods!

[Ineedmorepatience]

If you want to try to get her to accept a new one, try sneaking it into a bed for a few days so it starts to smell like her

Good luck