Shaw, S. R. (2002). A school psychologist investigates sensory integration therapies: Promise, possibility, and the art of placebo. NASP Communiqué, 31(2). Retrieved August 9, 2006, from http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq312si.html. As important as this vest is, the cost of buying it from the store is very expensive. However, with these few materials, you will be able to make your weighted vest. DIY Weighted Vestfrom Classroom Treasure Hunting - This DIY vest just upcycles a denim vest and looks easy to make.

Do you or a loved one struggle with anxiety associated with autism? Are you having troubles with stress and looking for solutions? Iwata, B., Dorsey, M., Slifer, K., Bauman, K., & Richman, G. (1994). Towards a functional analysis of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 197–209. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197.

Tips

Wearing weighted vests have been proven to lessen stereotypical behavior in children with autism, although it is not a guarantee that it will work for all children with autism. Stimming It would be up to a child’s therapist to determine whether a weighted vest would be helpful in achieving occupational tasks.

While weighted vests appear to be common practice with therapists in a school setting, other organizations are wary about its use. It is also worth mentioning that wearing a weighted vest may not work unless it is supported by other methods provided by an occupational therapist. Uses of a weighted vest The vest can be used as a preventative technique or a for calming in case you or the one that you love are suffering from a breakdown and/or meltdown. those vests also are best for calming kids within the lecture room environment. The weight should typically be 5-10% of the body weight, higher for a weighted blanket, as the weight is distributed differently. Adjust as needed for maximum effectiveness. Some people are more sensitive to input than others.The Napigan comes in two different styles: Tri- Green, V. A., Pituch, K. A., Itchon, J., Choi, A., O’Reilly, M., & Sigafoos, J. (2006). Internet survey of treatments used by parents of children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 27, 70–84. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2004.12.002. Any age group after 3 years old can utilize weighted vests. They are designed for children as young as 3 years old and for adults at 18 and up. As mentioned before, make sure that the weighted vests are at a maximum of 10% of your child’s body weight. When you are shopping for weighted vests, also make sure it is the right size for your child. Products similar to weighted vests The use and benefits of weighted vests for children are the same for adults. However, certain adjustments can be made, so it fits the person’s age and preference.

Arendt, R. E., MacLean, W. E., & Baumeister, A. A. (1988). Critique of sensory integration therapy and its application to mental retardation. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 92, 401–411. Struggle to know how much pressure to apply (make break pencils or use too much pressure when shaking someone’s hand) Weighted clothing and accessories can help your child feel calm and secure, as well as manage anxiety and behavioral troubles like meltdowns and temper tantrums. Using weighted items can also improve concentration on tasks and in school.Perhaps the most important source of information is the child himself. In the VandenBerg study, children who wore the vests wanted to wear them even after their tasks were done. One child reported that the vest “made him feel good.”

The cloth/material of a weighted vest is important because it will affect a child’s sensitivity level. If a child with autism has certain textures that he/she doesn’t like, then it would not help to make the child wear a weighted vest with the said unwelcome texture. There is no solid evidence that it helps reduce stereotypy or stimming in a child with autism, but therapists have noted a decrease in this behavior when a weighted vest is worn. This is supported by a study that showed that children with autism who wore weighted vests had an 18 to25 percent increase in on-task completion of fine motor activities (VandenBerg, 2001). For adults and kids with autism, a weighted vest is said to be a sensory instrument to help increase focus, concentration, and self-regulation. Avoid habituation: have your child wear the vest for no longer than 15 minutes at a time. Following approximately 15 minutes of wearing, a child will habituate to this newly imposed sensory input and it will no longer be an effective tool.

The future of weighted vests

Stereotypical behaviors are repetitive body movements or moving of objects. This behavior is often seen in people with autism and other developmental disabilities. In a study found in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2001, five children with ASD, utilizing a weighted vest, demonstrated improvements in attention to task and a decrease in self-stimulatory behaviors. A decreased number of distractions was the most consistent improvement observed. This study should be also interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. What Are Weighted Blankets And Vests Used For Another great resource is the use of sensory clothing, or clothing that supports sensory needs, no matter the diagnoses or preference. In recent years, there are more options out there as well as greater availability to accessing sensory-friendly garments. Should Occupational Therapists Use Compression Vests?