Why A Weighted Vest?

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.