Weighted vests?

[Sorka]

Has any one tried weighted vests? How did it work if you did? I am looking at getting one to help with my son'd SDI the OT says it's worth a try. I have tried some other things.. like sitting on a therapy ball while he does work, a 'chewy necklace' that he can chew on.. he is very much in need of that. also lots of movement breaks..none of these seem to have worked very well.. the ball became a distraction.
He likes vests and has been wanting a new one so I thought why not make it a weighted one.
Denise

[Linda]

OK I am having a dumb moment here..I don't know what a weighted vest is...can you explain?

[Sorka]

Well Linda... it's just like it sounds.. It is a vest.. with weights in it to make it heavy, ;D

Quite often children with autism,downs, adhd SDI etc use them to give them some proprioceptive feed back.. that is feedback to the movement centers of the brain.. they feel that pressure of the weighted vest and it gives them the input they need so rather than bouncing and moving they feel that and that need for the input..or feedback is met so they don't need to move and are able to focus..
Denise

[Linda]

Thanks Denise..I just learned something today!

[gabrielsmom]

Hi Denise:

My son used a weighted vest when he was in pre-school. It was part of his therapy program for his ADHD and some sensory integration issues. I have to say that it helped him alot. He was better able to sit still and pay attention when he used it. It also helped with making him a little bit less sensitive to touch. I wish that I had continued this therapy but I didn't know any better.

I would say give it a try, it may be very beneficial and if it doesn't work at least it won't hurt either.

[DenverSarah]

I know that these help some kids. My son's teacher tried a weighted bean back draped around his neck and it didn't seem to help. Never know till you try and it's certainly harmless! Good luck!

[AustinsMom]

I know that to be effective, it has to be a certain percentage of body weight. I do not work in pediatrics, but I know OT"s who use them with good success. I have one OT friend who uses weighted blankets and she likes them better than vests. She makes hers by sewing a blanket with channels that she stuffs with old socks, tshirts, rags, etc. The kids she sees like to get under them to read, etc. and find it calming.

[LaurieL]

Sorka-
They used a weighted vest on my very adHd son in pt and then when he went into speech they left him in it and they were able to really focus and get a lot done. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

[sportsmom]

I have seen both the vest and blankets on ebay (I search under ADHD). I have always wondered what exactly they were for....now I know. I like the idea of making my own blanket like AustinsMom suggested but I was wondering exactly how the weight was channeled? Maybe like a long tube channeled or inch by inch squared weight? Please let me know, it would by much cheaper to make my own then buy one from ebay!! I can see my son using a blanket to get his homework done. Thanks

[Brenda]

Sorka,where do you get the chewy necklaces from?Stephanie chews on stuff all the time.I bought her a baby teether and she loves it.Is that a symptom of Sensory problems or just ADHD.I am going to ask her dr at our next visit.She is diagnosed as ADHD ,ODD,and Separation Anxiety.I am starting to wonder about Sensory Problems.She loves things with feathers.She chews on the feathers and loves to touch them and other things that are soft.

[songwriter]

Brenda-
I dont claim to be an expert on sensory issues but I am currently reading "the out of sync child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz and what you described sounds right in line with it so far.
I have just found out from our psych. that our son has sensory intigration disfuntion along with his ADHD and learning disabilities.
I would definately talk to a knowledgable docter about this and read the book I recommended,(if you havent already) I am finally learning why my Nick is the way he is. We are all in this together ,trying to make sense of it all.

Paul

[AustinsMom]

sportsmom,
The weighted blankets my friend makes use long channels--about three inches wide, that she stuffs with cloth scraps, etc. It becomes surprisingly heavy with just cloth as stuffing. She makes a pillowcase like cover for them too, since they are hard to wash. Hope this works for you.

[sportsmom]

AustinsMom

Thanks---I will have to give it a try. I guess that means it is time to get the sewing machine out LOL---I have another fleece blanket that I need to make(have had the materials for months--in fact I was going to make scarfs first but I changed my mind and want to make a big fleece blanket--a school spirt type of blanket) but I am also going to try one of these weighted blankets for DS----I hope I can find some materials when I hit some yard sales this summer!

[Sorka]

The Chewy necklace I made myself I got some aquarium tubing.. since it will be free of anything harmful and strung it in a length long enough to go arund his neck, on a colorful cord.. it's good because the color of the cord shows through. he just wears it and chews on it. . the best thing is for an 8 year old.. it's not a 'teething' neclace.. so he also wore it out to church and such..

right now it is lost so again he is chewing on everything else ... gotta find it!
Denise

[Brenda]

Sorka,did you try the vest?How did it work?

sportsmom,did you try to make a blanket?Was it easy or very hard?My daughter was just dx with SI Dysfunction and has alot of sleep problems.I was thinking of making one.I did a search on google(how to make a weighted blanket) and found a site that tells you how to make it.