Why A Weighted Vest?
Many children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or who are on the spectrum for Autism, or who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD can benefit from a weighted vest.
Weighted Vests can help promote
- Self calming
- Improved motor planning function
- Enhance proprioceptive feedback
When should we use a weighted vest?
- In therapy
- At school
- Social events or outings
- Part of an activity – for instance church or grocery store or recess
When to start
- Start slow and introduce as regular clothing
- Use sometimes and get kiddo used to it – for short periods of time
- Don’t wait for a crisis to use the vest
- Its non invasive therapy – you can always take it off
- Check with your child after he’s used to it for his/her individual feedback
What are the benefits/downsides to using a weighted vest?
Weighted deep pressure vest helps the child to relax and feel calm. Based on sensory integration techniques, added weight and pressure provide unconscious information from muscles resulting in a relaxing calming effect on children with SPD, ADD/ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Weighted vests, lap pads and weighted blankets are recommended by the occupational therapy community as a tool that can help with sensory integration at home and at school.
