Weighted vests...why do they have to look so funny?

[Katherine Grey]

I don't know about you, but i have tried to find a decent looking weighted vest (one that my child wont be made fun of for wearing) for a long time. I really think they work, and I notice an immediate difference just in his level of calm and ability to focus. Anyway, this article came up in my google alert for SPD this morning:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521174320.htm
Someone is developing a hug-weighted vest that looks like any old down vest...great for home and winter. now we need one for summer!

[Carrie]

Hi there,
I don't know how old/tall your child is, but we really like this manufacturer for weighted vests.... you might want to check them out.

http://www.otvest.com/index.html

[Jessica]

I love those vests! I think it is so important for supports to be both functional and something kids will not be embarassed to wear. Some parents have reported that sensory belts work very well and can easily be worn under clothing.

The way these weighted items work, for those who are curious: vests, blankets, belts, is that they help children with Sensory Processing Disorder by enhancing proprioceptive feedback (awareness of the body in space). I have recommended weighted vests and belts to several of the families I work with, and the one that I have heard most about from them is the "Sensory Belt." They offer belts for children and adults, and may benefit people with:

* Autism
* Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
* Angelman syndrome
* Aspergers syndrome (AS)
* Ataxia
* Cerebral Palsy
* Down syndrome
* Dyslexia
* Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
* Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS)
* Peripheral Neuropathy
* Rett syndrome
* Sensory Integration Disorder (SID)
* Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

For more info including testimonials, here is their website:
http://www.sensorybelt.com/index.html

[Dana proud mom of 4 one with SPD]

has anyone heard of the miracle belt...???

[Heidi]

Hey check out this website. Looks like thy have some cool clothing and vest designs. The only thing would be if the child had weighted clothes, they would be wearing them constantly. http://www.princessensorydelights.com/store/index.php

The theory behind why/how weighted vests work is that they provide deep pressure which is calming input to the nervous system. The general guideline is not to wear the vest for longer than about 20 minutes at a time. If worn longer than this, the person's nervous system might become "too calm" and actually change to become more "worked up" again in an attempt to "wake up." So in a sense, it may look like the vest doesn't help because you're seeing the child as hyper 20-30 minutes after putting on the vest!

I agree with you Jessica that the extra weight might give the proprioceptors more of an idea of where the body is in space (and therefore potentially help with body awareness), but it stands that the main point of the weighted vest is to provide calming input to the nervous system.

For those people who benefit from deep pressure to improve body awareness, sometimes wearing undergear seems to help them. For example, the Underarmour brand of athletic under gear will also wick sweat away. There is also this specialized under gear called SPIO. Check it out. There have been some good testimonials about this. http://www.spioworks.com/

[AutismClassroom.com]

I have also seem one that was made with demin. Well, it was a jean jacket weighted vest. Sounds like there is a market for it!!!