Runyon, R. P., & Haber, A. (1967). Fundamentals of behavioral statistics (3rd ed.). Menlo Park, California: Addison-Wesley. We’ve covered a variety of options to use as a compression garment to offer sensory support through pressure. Compression vests are a common term, but the vest garment is not always feasible as a sensory compression tool. Weighted vests are vests that are designed to go on top of other clothing and provide pressure through the form of weight or compression. These vests are designed to provide deep pressure stimulation, also known as proprioceptive input. The weight of the vest mimics deep pressure touch, which has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system. The pressure from the vest provides a soothing, calming effect that can help reduce anxiety and stress. Consider the material. Some weighted vests are form-fitting, while others offer active compression.

For instance, therapists recommend up to 12 percent of the person’s body weight instead of 5 to 10 percent. Working with a therapist who knows and has evaluated your child with autism is essential. The therapist must know if the child needs additional support. Don't want to spend money on an expensive weighted vest for your child? Then these amazing tutorials are for you. And seriously, how cute is that ruffled weighted vest?! Such an adorable and stylish idea for a little girl! The benefits can occur in a very wide range with the most frequently reported being increased attention, focus and concentration as well as an increased sense of calm and reduction in anxiety.Because of the nature of sensory based treatment strategies, much of what is done is trial and error. Many patients I have worked with understand the value of their vest, and will begin to request it when needed. In a therapeutic setting, professionals sometimes use weighted vests that look similar to what you might see on an athlete doing extra-tough chin-ups. Small weights are distributed evenly across the vest so that it applies consistent pressure across the body. It would be up to a child’s therapist to determine whether a weighted vest would be helpful in achieving occupational tasks. Set up your child’s weighted vest so that it is 5-10% of their body weight. So, if your child is 40 lbs, the vest weight would be 2-4 lbs. This is important as you do not want to overstrain their bodies with more weight than what is safe. The weight should be evenly distributed as much as possible.

Identify a simple way to measure the effectiveness of the weighted vest. This can be done with the help of your child’s Occupational Therapist or teacher. Keep in mind what you identified as the “why” behind choosing a weighted vest. By developing a progress monitoring tool that is specific to your child, you will know what works and what doesn’t! A meta-analysis (including a systematic review) that complied recent data for deep pressure therapy items, including weighted and compression vests, squeeze machines, and brushing therapy, found that none were supported by evidence for any reason (Losinski, Sanders & Wiseman, 2017). Many of the studies reported on were low-quality for a number of reasons, and it is unknown how this could contribute to the results. Weighted Vests and Autism In addition, weighted vests do not cure autism or cure the challenges they face. The challenges are still there, however, these tools can help alleviate some of them. Either way, weighted vests can exponentially make a positive impact in your child’s life even if it is a small change. Consider how often your child will be changing in/out of the vest and the easiest way to do that: snaps, zippers, velcro? Rear-closing for adult-only fastening or front-closing for independence? If you are still unsure if weighted vests are appropriate for your child, please consult your physician and your child’s care team for assessment. What age group can use weighted vests?

How Often Should You Wear Weighted Clothing?

How often will your child be changing out of the vest? If you change often, think of the easiest way for your child to change, like velcro, zippers, or snaps. Start light and slowly increase weight! The vest should end up being no more than 5-10% of child’s body weight. If your child weighs 50 pounds, then the vest should be no more than 5 pounds. Choose timing of wear schedule wisely. It is most appropriate and effective to implement the use of the weighted vest during times where your child may be completing activities such as school work, crafts, eating, playing games requiring communication ( utilizing AAC devices to engage during family game time), etc. as these tasks require increased attention/ focus. Having your child wear the vest during times where they are passively watching TV or using devices would not be beneficial.

It is believed that when the central nervous system is well regulated, all physical processes are taking place more effectively. Due to this belief, the benefits of weighted vests may even extend to the child’s internal processes, including processing food more effectively, encouraging better sleeping habits , and impacting interoception (the sense of the internal conditions of the body including hunger, thirst, body temperature, etc.). Observe Your Child While Wearing Their Weighted Vest How to Make a Weighted Sensory Vestfrom Surviving a Teacher's Salary - This vest is made from scratch, but looks really easy to make. The cloth/material of a weighted vest is important because it will affect a childs sensitivity level. If a child with autism has certain textures that he/she doesnt like, then it would not help to make the child wear a weighted vest with the said unwelcome texture. Weighted vests can also be an option if a parent does not want medication to suppress stimming and other unusual behaviors that may be part of the child’s autism. Sensory Integration Therapy for AutismThere are two types of weighted vests that are currently marketed to people with autism: Compression vests and Deep Pressure Vests. Weighted vests have been gaining popularity as a support to help Autistic children and children with sensory issues. These vests provide a calming and grounding effect, helping individuals better regulate their emotions and behaviors. Weighted vests have been associated with reduced meltdowns, improved concentration, and greater calm. In this blog post, we'll explore what weighted vests are, what they're used for, and how they can benefit weighted vests can help in the context of autism. We'll also discuss the effectiveness of weighted vests and where to buy them for kids. What Are Weighted Vests? The weight that should be added to a weighted vest can vary depending on the child's body weight and sensory needs. As a general rule, the weight added to the vest should be between 5-10% of the child's body weight. For example, if a child weighs 50 pounds, the weight added to the vest should be between 2.5-5 pounds. It's important to remember that adding too much weight can be uncomfortable and potentially harmful, so it's best to start with a lower weight and gradually increase it as tolerated.