If you have a child with autism, his/her occupational therapist may have recommended a weighted vest to help with hyperactivity, focus, and/or self-stimulatory behaviors. It comes in 6 sizes, ranging from very small child to adult. If you’re a parent of a child with autism, you know that not every tool, strategy, or approach works the same for every child. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often have difficulty processing and integrating sensory information throughout their day. Thanks for reading our blog. Weighted Hoodie - Get the lowest price and the largest selecion on Weighted Sweatshirts and Heavy Hoodies at Autism-Products.com. The whole concept of weighted vest just turns the picture totally around. The weight and compression delivered by the vest provides proprioceptive input using deep pressure to the muscles and joints which sends signals to the brain helping a person feel calm and focused. As with any sensory strategy or tool, be sure to consult your child’s occupational therapist for an individualized approach to making it all work as part of your child’s comprehensive sensory diet. The Best Weighted Vest for Autism Reviews. If the child should wear the weighted vest for the 20-40 minute activity, be sure to remove the vest for the same time period to allow the nervous system to reset. Similar positive outcomes were noted in the 2001 study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy by Doreen Fertel-Daly, Gary Bedell, Jim Hinojosa that looked at the positive effects of weighted vests on attention to task and decreasing self-stimulatory behaviors in preschoolers with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. When it comes to the benefits of weighted vests for autism, it's important to first understand the relationship between weighted vests and sensory processing disorder. Fun and Function’s Blue Weighted Compression Vest. Due to limited scientific evidence marking the effectiveness of weighted vests, it is important to consistently observe a child with Autism when wearing this item. On a potentially relatable level, it resembles a firm hug, without the emotional connotations! Rear-closing for adult-only fastening or front-closing for independence? A lot of studies show that the jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of weighted vests. Simply place the vest over your child's clothing, and watch your little one return to feeling grounded and in control. Citation for this article: Moran, K. (2011). It may work for 6 months consistently and then completely lose its appeal! 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,746. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. If staying local she enjoys long distance runs along the Charles River alongside her husband taking turns pushing their son in a jogging stroller! Having moderate weight evenly distributed over the body naturally calms the nervous system, often allowing an individual to pay attention more closely or fall asleep more easily. Typically, the vest is 10% of the person’s body weight, which means it can apply deep pressure to muscles and joints. We'll take a look at ASD and SPD first, then show you what exactly a weighted vest is, the science behind them, and what the benefits are of weighted vests for autism. First and foremost, the use of a weighted vest with a child on the Autism Spectrum is merely a tool in the toolbox. A tool that is used frequently in therapeutic settings on children with ASD is a weighted vest (WV). You should only use a weighted vest with a child when you are attempting to help them focus or calm down. These can be that remarkable exercise extension that will boost the output. A Sensory Diet is designed to give the child sensory input at different times throughout the day through specific sensory activities. Do you have any experience with this application? It is estimated that 10% of the population experience some type of learning disorder. 95 ($59.95/Count) If you are unfamiliar with the basics of what a weighted vest is, it’s not overly complicated! Some parents and educators feel that the compression vests are helpful during especially stressful times (i.e. Unfortunately, the research is inconsistent in giving a clear guideline for wearing schedules, however, it is recommended to initially introduce the weighted vest during a preferred activity. We'll take a look at ASD and SPD first, then show you what exactly a weighted vest is, the science behind them, and what the benefits are of weighted vests for autism. Sensory Diets can help kids with sensory processing challenges and SPD. The research behind deep touch pressure is supportive for promoting physiological regulation (respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure) and reducing anxiety. Weighted Vest Research: Final Thoughts. Alescia Ford-Lanza MS OTR/L, ATP is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Practitioner with over 15 years of pediatric experience. The positive benefits of a weighted vest usually happen while the child is wearing the vest. Do all children with autism need one? Most weighted vests come with removable weights, so that kids with autism or sensory processing disorder can wear the amount of weight that feels best for them. Weighted vests provide proprioceptive input using deep pressure which sends signals to the brain which, as a … A weighted vest provides deep touch pressure (DTP), or proprioceptive input, which has a calming, organizing effect on the child. Observe Your Child While Wearing Their Weighted Vest. Let us know if you have any other questions. Weighted put vest or simply weighted vest, is a new accessory in the exercise related industry. - focus, attention, body awareness, staying seated tools is inconsistent on. 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