Harkla Weighted Vest for Kids - Neoprene Compression Vest for Autism, ADHD - Ages 2 to 4 - Adjustable Kids Weighted Vest with 2lb weight - Breathable and Washable Compression Vest - Small

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The Neurological and Physical Abilitation (NAPA) Center states that, “The weight should be evenly distributed throughout the vest, around the midsection.” There are no clear rules on how long a weighted vest can be worn. It is best to consult with the childs therapist to plan a wearing schedule that the child will get accustomed to without much difficulty.

One review reported that weighted vests are not effective in increasing educational performance in children with ASD (Grajo, Candler & Sarafian, 2020). Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91–97. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91.Most importantly, occupational therapists are often providing treatment under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, which mandates therapeutic and instructional strategies must be research-based whenever possible. In addition to lap weights, some online stores sell weighted lap pals which are stuffed animals that are filled with weights. These can be comforting if your child likes stuffed animals. Preparing your child for weighted vests The weight of the vest should be 10% of your child’s total body weight. Anything more than 10-15% can injure your child. Weighted vests can be used at home, outside in the community, and even at school. When taking it to school, ensure that your child’s teachers and staff are aware that they are wearing a weighted vest. It’s always important to keep your school and your child’s ABA team aware of any changes you are implementing with your child. What can weighted vests help with? For many kiddos with sensory issues and autism, it can be extremely challenging to self-regulate their bodies. No matter how much they want to behave, their bodies are giving them different instructions. Imagine being asked to sit still while having an uncontrollable jolt of energy running through your body. This would be hard to manage as an adult, let alone as a child.

It would be up to a child’s therapist to determine whether a weighted vest would be helpful in achieving occupational tasks. Statistical significance is what tells researchers if their chosen effect really happened or not. A researcher may determine that a weighted vest has a statistically significant effect based on their data from a research environment.In real-life practice, it may not have the same results. 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?The placebo effect is a beneficial health outcome resulting from a person’s anticipation that an intervention will help. How a health care provider interacts with a patient also may bring about a positive response that’s independent of any specific treatment. Shaw, S. R. (2002). A school psychologist investigates sensory integration therapies: Promise, possibility, and the art of placebo. NASP Communiqué, 31(2). Retrieved August 9, 2006, from http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq312si.html. A weighted vest, weighted clothing, compression clothing, compression bed sheets, or weighted blanket are just some of the tools used to support individuals with autism.