Has anyone tried the weighted vests to help with severe adhd symptoms?

[SpikeGilesSandwich]

I keep seeing the weighted vests advertised on facebook that claim to help “calm and reset the nervous system”

Obviously there are so many products out there to take the money of desperate parents but speaking as a desperate parent, has anyone who isn’t being paid to advertise, actually tried one on their child?
DS is 8 and really in need of help.

Weighted vests, blankets, lap pads, etc. help some. You could see if you have a lending library locally to try one before buying. If you don’t, you could ask a local SEN group if anyone has a second hand one to try or if anyone is willing to let you try their DC’s vest.

Thanks for the reply @StrivingForSleep, I don’t think we have a local lending library but worth asking around. I don’t know anyone in our local SEN community who has tried one, which is why I’m asking on here. We have a weighted blanket and never found it particularly helpful tbh.
We just really need more help, I’m at the point now where i will try anything but that’s what companies rely on. Unfortunately there have been so many cuts in services and CAMHS is taking forever (and is pretty useless from what I hear). Our paediatrician is sympathetic but unable to offer any more assistance, it’s ruining DS’s life.

If a weighted blanket hasn’t particularly helped, I’m not sure a weighted vest would.

Has DS had a sensory OT assessment? Does DS have an EHCP? EHCPs can include sensory OT provision even when the local ICB doesn’t commission sensory OT. What support is the school providing (this is based on needs, not diagnosis)?

I tried wrapping a weighted blanket around DS's shoulders - it didn't help his overexcited behaviour. I also tried a heavy rucksack, as recommended by the OT. No effect on behaviour. A hat or cap or hood (the idea being that it prevents too much stimulation from above) was not useful for us either. Pushing against walls, carrying boxes of books, etc. were also not effective for us. It's worth trying these types of things to see if they help. If not, I imagine it might be unlikely that a weighted vest would be useful either.

You are right, it probably wouldn’t help. I’m just clutching at straws tbh.
Yes, he’s had an EHCP for ages and he’s just been excluded from his second school so we are trying to get a proper specialist placement but that’s easier said than done.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it’s appreciated.

Does the EHCP include sensory OT provision? Where are you with the EHCP? Has the LA held an early review? Is the LA sticking to the timescales with that? And is alternative provision in place?

Weighted blanket no change - although ok as an extra blanket when cold overnight. Nothing calms and resets that I've found as it's completely random(and yes I've done the diary as recommended so only thing is it's worse when not eating/drinking enough) - if you find a miracle please let us in on it! Today has been "difficult" and need a glass of wine!