weighted vest

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/13/02 9:17:46 AM Central Standard Time,

writes:

> Hi a,

> Where did you get the weighted blankets from? and is the whole

> blanket weighted or are there pockets where the weights go into?

> Angel kept taking the weights out of the pockets on the weighted vest

> so we gave up trying to get her to wear it. I think a blanket would

> be great if the weights were somehow sewn in so that she couldn't get

> at them to eat them. Please send me details on where to find the

> blanket and let us know how it works for . Man, you must be so

> excited.

>

WE put the vest on inside out. The child was unzipping it and taking the

weights out. She couldn't take it apart when it was inside out.

We never made her wear it and it was obvious when she wanted it off.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/13/02 9:17:46 AM Central Standard Time,

writes:

> Hi a,

> Where did you get the weighted blankets from? and is the whole

> blanket weighted or are there pockets where the weights go into?

> Angel kept taking the weights out of the pockets on the weighted vest

> so we gave up trying to get her to wear it. I think a blanket would

> be great if the weights were somehow sewn in so that she couldn't get

> at them to eat them. Please send me details on where to find the

> blanket and let us know how it works for . Man, you must be so

> excited.

>

WE put the vest on inside out. The child was unzipping it and taking the

weights out. She couldn't take it apart when it was inside out.

We never made her wear it and it was obvious when she wanted it off.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In case any of you are using weighted vests in your Occupational Therapy, I've

started making them by hand to sell. I'm doing them in blue jean denim

(sometimes there are designs on the denim - have a really cute girl's one with

sparkle stars right now), have pockets on the front, removable sandbag weights

(four .5 lb), attractive lining and fun appliques.

I've made them to look like (and be used as) regular kids' vests so they don't

scream " therapy " when they wear them in public. And my daughter really *likes*

wearing hers. It's easy (for parents) to remove the weights because they're

snapped into inside pockets. Not so easy for kids to remove the weights or the

vest (I've used elastic loops instead of button holes -- again, easy for the

adult, but not so easy for the kid).

Will send pictures if you're interested. I'm selling the small Preschool-sized

vest at $50, plus shipping ($10.35 flat-rate box). I have three on hand and can

make other sizes to order & at your direction on color/gender/etc.

Tejnecky

Richmond, VA

[Guest guest]

,

Weighted therapy is often helpful for children with sensory integration issues. 

You may want to investigate " Sensory Integration Disorder. "   It is a very common

overlapping issue for kids with Autistic Spectrum and ADHD disorders, but also

occurs independently.  The reading I've done has 1 in 20 kids being impacted by

some level of sensory integration issue.

Sensory Integration occurs on a spectrum, also.  Some kids display through

hyperactivity and others display through withdrawing.  It basically means that

they can't take their 6 (or 7 when you include vestibular balance) senses into

normal input.  My daughter under-processes, so her typical response until

recently has been to throw herself (dangerously) into any activity, often

resulting in injury.  Transitions were *very* difficult and her ability to focus

was practically non-existent.

Your best results with weighted therapy will be under the guidance of your

Occupational Therapist -- they can give you instructions on frequency and

duration of use.  However, it's not like unregulated medications so you don't

hurt your child by doing it without medical supervision.  Any weights can be

helpful -- my daughter liked to carry around bricks in the backyard or a

cantelope in the house -- especially with transitions.  Hand the child something

heavy just before you ask him/her to do something different.  The weight

provides that extra input and allows them to transition more easily.  They focus

on the weight, not the transition.  It also helps them with balance (vestibular

input), which is often the thing that triggers therapists that a child has

sensory disorders.

For sitting, you may want a weighted lap pad.  I was thinking about doing one

for my daughter and would be happy to talk with you offline to negotiate an

appropriate price.  They are using it in therapy to help keep the leg fidgeting

down.  It also has pockets in it for them to put their hands, if they want. 

I've also been talking with a friend about making a weighted blanket for her

daughter with restless leg syndrome -- a real pain at bedtime.

There are a lot of good uses for weighted therapies but, like dietary

restrictions and enzyme regimes for autism, many of the benefits are considered

" anecdotal. "   Makes you love the medical community when they refuse to

acknowledge real progress because it doesn't have a drug.

Let me know if you have any other questions -- I'm not an Occupational

Therapist, but when it comes to Sensory Issues I've really had to do my

research.  Unlike Autism, Sensory Integration Disorder isn't even viewed as

" real " by insurance companies -- so we know even less about how to deal with it

or what causes it -- but we deal with a lot of similar problems, so I feel like

I can learn a lot from parents of Autistic children (why I'm on the list).

Sincerely,

Tejnecky

Richmond, Va