DS's weighted vest has been a godsend

[DeadlyNightShadeofViolet]

He has only had it a week but he is like a different child - no meltdowns at school time, sitting down to eat and much calmer. He has stopped crashing into everything on purpose too.

Even Pre-school say they have noticed the difference, which is fantastic as he is so close to starting school and I am so worried about how he will cope.

Fantastic.. I love it when something really simple makes a huge difference to the quality of our dc's lives!

ooooh interesting! Dd3 is due to trial one of these at some point when the ot gets round to it soon. Good to hear it's working well

I had to buy it - we dont get OT for DS2 so had to get a Private one. I bought it from Sensory Direct, though I have seen some cheape ones on Ebay.

Next on the list is a weighted Blanket - good job its Christmas soon.

Woe, sounds amazing. We have OT seeing DS this week so hopefully they might suggest one for him.

Funny you wrote about your DS crashing into things. Mine does that and I'd just put it down to him being really annoying rather than his issues . Perhaps I'll try to be a little more understanding about it now.

Whoops, meant wow not woe!

The smallest vest that SensoryDirect do is 22-29cm - DS is very small and has a chest of 22cm - the weights are removeable so I can add them or take them away.

It look a bit like a flak jacket though :o

Chocoholic - I thought DS was doing it to be annoying too - until the OT told me its to do with Sensory Processing.

Brilliant, we have had the same success with DS1's lap blanket in school, such little things that can help and also show us they aren't being random fidgets on purpose.

My 10yr old ASD/OCD Daughter has been wearing a sensory belt for 12mths now, You would not beleive the difference in her when she's wearing it. I stumbled across it on You Tube/miracle belt. I didn't actually purchase a belt from them I made my own, by putting wrist/ankle weights into a bumbag, the belt can only be worn for max 20mins, she wears it in school, but, only for lessons. I really don't know where we'd be without it, AB Godsend, If you dont believe the difference it can make, watch the little bou with ADHD on You tube/sensorybelt, it's almost too good to be true......

Weighted vests are an intervention that made a lot of noise around 5yrs ago but with every study that has improved methodology since then they look less impressive.

This has culminated in a Cochrane Review staing they shouldn't be used clinically until effectiveness could be demonstrated.

Having said that, it's probably minimal risk for children with purely cognitive dysfunction (no cerebral palsy or motor weakness for example) and can be put together at a low cost.

The concern might be that any benefit noted is a result of physical restriction placed on the child (harder to move away and indulge in desired (if unfocused) behaviour) rather than an improvement through sensory feedback.

I seriously am tempted to get one for DD now, who never sits still.

Have noticed that she benefits hugely from regular big cuddles so this might have a similar effect?

The one I got DS is a deep pressure vest too, so it gives him a big squeeze Fanjo.

sounds great!

Although I have to admit I like the big cuddles too :)

Me too - I have missed them this week, but he still likes his tickles :)

what are they made of? DD is highly allergic to polyester. buying clothes is a nightmare!

They are made of neoprene. It reminds me of DS's swimming float vest.

hmm, she might be allergic to that, will try her with a cheap swim vest first I think!

Id not thought about weighted products before..maybe worth a look. DD sits at her small table to eat but always tips the chair on to one leg and falls off, figets and wanders off. :)

@LeonieDelt

I don't know if you read the Cochrane review and didn't find it convincing or whether anything posted by me will automatically result in a un-constructive response from you.

But all I'm doing is pointing people to the evidence on this issue.

The thread is about the effectiveness of an intervention and that evidence has a place in this discussion.

Other people here might be interested in the results of clinical research on this issue.

All I'm doing is making sure they can find it.

Lets stay on topic.

It did not work for us but if you want to try the idea before buying something expensive then you can sew coins into the pockets of a cardigan or whatever has pockets.