Anyone ever used weighted vests? | Autism PDD
It was recommended my 5-year-old try out a weighted vest for this sensory issues by his autism team, for use in kindergarten.
I just have been looking at these on the internet. Could they actually work? It would great, as he gets very very hyper in crowds, like a classroom, and starts acting like a 2-year-old, plus he starts throwing things and not listening.
It would be nice to get some input from someone who has actually used them instead of an advertisement.
Thanks,
Kris
The OTs made one for Cole that was an old button front jean jacket with the arms cut off. At summer school, they said it worked wonders.
He would not keep it on unless it was buttoned up, and the weights were distributed evenly around the jacket - not like a backpack which they feel on the shoulders and back mostly.
My son used it in preschool. The teacher said he would ask for it sometimes.
My son is sensory seeking and craves alot of sensory input. We used the Willbarger brush technique and that really helped.
My DS has sensory issues ... we used a backpack with kid books in it for a time. He seemed oblivious to how heavy we had it, at times (and I MEAN, HEAV-AY!), and it did seem to calm him! We never bought a vest but yes, they can be very effective!
You might try a backpack and a few books to observe the effects, first.
My (4 year old) daughter has tried weighted vests (4lbs, I think) in therapy sessions and it did calm and organize her enough for her to sit for 20 minutes and attend to tasks. Ankle weights (1lb each) also have the same effect on her. You could try these, they are less visible and maybe you could hide them under his pant legs.My DS has sensory issues ... we used a backpack with kid
books in it for a time. He seemed oblivious to how heavy we had it, at times
(and I MEAN, HEAV-AY!), and it did seem to calm him! We never bought a
vest but yes, they can be very effective!
You might try a backpack and a few books to observe the effects, first. [/
P][/QUOTE]
We have done this for 8 mos or so too! Works great. OT has mentioned a
vest, but our dd is quite petite. It may be something we try as she gets a
little bigger if she still needs that input. She does sleep w/ a weighted
blanket, I give that 4 stars!! We also have a lap pad that helps some too, I
think that will help her more as she gets older.My son used one during his 1st round in Kindergarden and he was in a PPCD program and it helped him. His teacher said he would even request it at times as if he knew he needed it. His teacher also had this this big ball he used for his sensory needs too. Last yr he was in reg. ed Kindergarden and they tried to use it on him but he didn't want to use it then. I guess he didn't want to look different.That's it. I am definitely going to try the books in the backpack at least and move on to the vest. I was worried about him looking different also though. Thanks. I had no idea my son's sensory issues were so bad. I am resurrecting this thread because I started thinking about using a weighted lap pad or blanket for my daughter. I wrote to her teacher to explain to her and she wrote me back saying she already uses a weighted vest in her classroom for circle time and seatwork.
I am looking to but a wrapper or small blanket for home use now. Of course my daughter thinks she should have Pokemon on it. Now I have to find someone who can make that for me. SHe always picks the difficult to find characters!
kristys,
thank you for finding that fabric...it's really cute too.
Chera25,
I thought I saw a weighted blanket with a map of US on it on ebay by DreamCatcher
We bought Trinity a backpack/harness for Disney World at Wal-mart, it was 9 bucks, it is a monkey with a long 'tail' for mommy to hold(so it wont get dirty
Everywhere we go people stop and ask me about it. Its great,best 9 bucks I ever spent!!
Love~Nicole
NJMom,
I found some pokemon fabric!
http://www.laceandfabric.com/pokemon_fabric.html
Cassidy has one...
A friend of mine made it for her, she prefers to wear it backwards (she likes the choking sensation) :( and the feathers didn't even last a day lol, she didn't like the tickles. :p
She's done great with the one in OT but doesn't do ANYTHING if not her decision and when she needs it the most, it would need suggested so she doesn't wear it often. :p We're working in OT on getting her to recognize her sensory needs and I'm hoping this may help her...
[QUOTE=NJmom]SHe always picks the difficult to find characters!
I so understand... Cassidy's obsession is the United States/ New York... so I went to eBay to find material. lol I have a couple yards of different NY fabric now I just need it made. (Her pink one is too small & she doesn't 'like' pink anyway. lol)
) I am going to get a vest at some point for sure. I think it could help her. she loves deep pressure.
Ooh, I think Bug would LOVE one of these... I'm going to ask his OT next time I see her what she thinks.According to a few web-sites I just checked (love Google ;)) - they recommend starting around 10% of body weight.
What do you all think?
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