Research summaries for autism therapy: weighted vest

definition of weighted vest: Vest that contains heavy weighted objects. Weighted vests may be worn by people with autism as part of sensory integration therapy.
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The Use of Weighted Vests with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Disabilities, Summarized May 28, 2009

Weighted vests used as part of sensory integration therapy may not work for all children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This review article examined seven studies using weighted vests on children between the ages of 2-11 years old. Five of the seven studies reported some improvements in behavior of children with ASD.  Weighted vests seemed to reduce stereotypic (repetitive) behaviors in some of the children. The vests increased attention or on-task time for some children. However, these were small studies and could not measure behaviors reliably. Therefore, the use of weighted vests in sensory integration therapy, in general, may not lead to consistent benefits for children with ASD.

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The Effects of Weighted Vests on Appropriate In-Seat Behaviors of Elementary-Age Students with Autism and Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities, Summarized Mar 31, 2009

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy may be more helpful than weighted vests in keeping children with autism calm and in their seats.

Sensory therapies are one common occupational therapy approach to the treatment of autism. The study was designed to see if the use of weighted vests during a group activity would increase the amount of time that three school-aged children with autism would stay in their seats. The children were all diagnosed as having autism by three different people using different diagnostic tools. The deep pressure of the weighted vests did not help the children in this study remain calm, focused, and in their seats. The authors call for more research to see if these sensory integration therapies are able to help children in the classroom. Read more...

Somatosensory Stimulation Interventions for Children with Autism: Literature Review and Clinical Considerations, Summarized Apr 11, 2008

Occupational therapists should look at the child with autism closely in order to make sure that the child is responding to the type of sensory integration therapy that is being used.... Sensory integration therapy can include massage therapy, weighted vests, pressure arm wrappings, and many other things. This paper reviews the scientific studies on sensory integration therapy for autism.... Read more...

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Synonyms for weighted vest include: weighted clothing, weighted vests
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