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Do weighted blankets improve sleep in children with an autistic spectrum disorder? SCENARIO In community paediatric outpatient clinics, several parents have asked you about the use of weighted blankets to help their chil-dren with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) get to sleep. Weighted blankets had been recommended by the local ASD support group and the parents wanted to know if you thought they were worth buying. STRUCTURED CLINICAL QUESTION In a child with autism (patient) do ‘weighted blankets ’ (interven-tion) have any positive effect on sleep (outcome)