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

Product Information

National Research Council (Ed.). (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Due to limited scientific evidence marking the effectiveness of weighted vests, it is important to consistently observe a child with Autism when wearing this item. For children who are non-verbal, it is even more important to be observing and noting any displays of physical discomfort or distress. Additionally, for any child who is anxious, this added input may be more anxiety provoking and may not be the right tool to utilize. That being said, maybe the most important source of information regarding weighted vests or any other weighted items for autism is the child! Observing the child to see any changes in their self-regulation or attention or listening to any reports of “feeling good” or “I like it” may be the evidence needed for continued use of this tool! Tips and Guidelines: The theory behind weighted vests is to provide the child with sustained deep pressure input to his/her muscles and joints (proprioception) as this type of sensory input is known to be calming and organizing. 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. There are no clear rules on how long a weighted vest can be worn. It is best to consult with the child’s therapist to plan a “wearing schedule” that the child will get accustomed to without much difficulty.

Sensory Integration Therapy for Autism

VandenBerg, N. L. (2001). The use of a weighted vest to increase on-task behavior in children with attention difficulties. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 621–628. In some cases, therapists recommend weighted vests to children with autism to provide deep touch pressure to help them relax and focus during a classroom activity. Supporters of this practice believe the added pressure to the child’s muscles helps reduce anxiety and allows him/her to be more attentive. We hope that this discussion encourages you to further explore the quality of your practice, treatment methods and strategies, and recommendations for families – how will you move your practice forward? Compression Vest Alternatives Wearing weighted vests and other weighted objects (like weighted blankets) is part of a practice called sensory integration therapy. This approach aims to help children who have difficulty processing multiple sensory inputs at the same time. Vargas, S., & Camilli, G. (1999). A meta-analysis of research on sensory integration treatment. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 189–198.

To me, this is much more harmful than trying a strategy such as a vest, or noise canceling headphones. Therapists have been using weighted objects like blankets and vests as a therapeutic device for those diagnosed with autism for years. The extra weight can help adjust hormone levels in the body associated with mood. In turn, that can lead to lower stress levels. The History of Weighted Clothing For Autism Inform them that you are going to put the vest on them - You can say, “Okay, you try!” or “Your turn!”. If they are physically resistant to putting it on, try setting it aside to see if they want to put it on on their own. If they walk away from it and do not choose to wear it, it may be aversive for them and you can consider returning it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s care team for assistance and insight. A weighted vest is not only for children, though it is very common for children. Adults use weighted vests as well, especially those that worked out or those that carried out bodyweight exercises. A weighted vest is very essential for exercises that involve movement of the body such as squats, pushups, pullups. The Oxford Health NHS Foundation, for one, has stated that it does not endorse nor advocate the use of weighted or compressive products.No evidence supports the use of weighted items to increase adaptive behaviors, like seated, on-task behavior. Weighted Products should only be used under the supervision of a suitably qualified person. We recommend you consult with your Occupational Therapist or other healthcare professional prior to using weighted products. Additionally, children with certain medical conditions or physical limitations may not be able to wear a weighted vest. We shared more resources and tools to support this natural process in a blog post on using the benefits of a sensory burrito blanket as a sensory tool to offer heavy work input through compression.

Some therapists don’t recommend wearing it for more than an hour at a time, while others allow for it to be worn during an entire school day. This data trend is not exclusive to vests – some recent data does not support implementing any single-system sensory intervention in the school environment. Single-system sensory interventions, like swings, vests, and brushing, are becoming increasingly unsupported by leaders in occupational therapy (Grajo et al, 2020; Novak, 2019; Bodison, 2018; Wong et al, 2014; Watling, 2015). Another factor to consider is if the child doesnt mind wearing it for a long time, or if he/she can only wear it for a few minutes at a time. Due to the absence of scientific evidence that weighted vests work, it’s important to observe a child with autism while wearing one—especially if the child has limited communication skills. If a child is uncomfortable or no improvement is seen, then it’s best not to use it.

Preparing your child for weighted vests 

For instance, therapists recommend up to 12 percent of the persons body weight instead of 5 to 10 percent. The Oxford Health NHS Foundation, for one, has stated that it “does not endorse nor advocate the use of weighted or compressive products.” 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.