Mild evidence supports that weighted items can reduce maladaptive behaviors , like aggression, self-injurious behaviors, or off-task behaviors. Mastropieri, M. S., Scruggs, T. E., Bakken, J. P., & Whedon, C. (1996). Reading comprehension: A synthesis of research in learning disabilities. In T. E. Scruggs & M. S. Mastropieri (Eds.), Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities (Vol. 10b, pp. 201–227). New York: Elsevier Science/JAI Press. Remember how we were talking about kiddos being un-regulated and having little power to tell their own bodies to regulate themselves and calm down? How Weighted Vests Assist Autistic People Olson, L. J., & Moulton, H. J. (2004b). Use of weighted vests in pediatric occupational therapy practice. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 24(3), 45–60. doi: 10.1300/J006v24n03_04. Because of the nature of sensory based treatment strategies, much of what is done is trial and error.

Barton, E.E., Reichow, B., & Wolery, M. (2007, May). Double blind placebo evaluation on the engagement of young children with autism. Poster session presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Seattle Washington. We endorse heading over to nice Weighted Vest for Autism & Compression Vests critiques for our top evaluations, pointers, and in addition statistics.

Where do weighted vests come from?

A weighted vest, or compression garment, provides proprioceptive input similar to a deep hug. This deep pressure calms the central nervous system, thus calming, satiating, or organizing the body and brain. What about research?

This data does not make any statement towards other “sensory” experiences that are play-based, functional, or explorative in nature. 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.Eventually, therapists found weighted blankets to be a good way of applying this new type of therapy, creating a calming sensation as gravity gently pushes fabric down on the body. Kind of like a really, really good hug. For adults and kids with autism, a weighted vest is said to be a sensory instrument to help increase focus, concentration, and self-regulation.

For instance, therapists recommend up to 12 percent of the person’s body weight instead of 5 to 10 percent.The other systematic review from the AJOT went even further and stated that “weighted vests/items…received a red light designation…indicating that therapists should not use these approaches for children with sensory processing challenges” (Battin et al., 2020). Best Evidence for Weighted Compression Vests 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. 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. 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. Palm weights or hand weights are also a type of compressed sensory stimulator that help improve focus for individuals with autism. They are specifically designed to assist them when engaging in writing, coloring, or drawing. When utilizing it for your child, please ensure there is adult supervision. Lap weights