Using a weighted vest or blanket...{Introducing Sensory Calm}

A weighted vest or blanket is used to provide a sense of calm or deep pressure to the person using it. 

Sensory Processing theory suggests that activities or aids which increase proprioceptive input (through input to the skin, muscles and joints) can help children to improve attention, arousal level, body awareness, muscle tone and reduce defensiveness to touch.  This proprioceptive input may be to the whole body or parts of the body such as the mouth or hands. 

Seek the advice of an Occupational Therapist if you think your child would benefit from an assessment of their sensory processing needs or read more about sensory processing here.

I have prescribed weighted vests when working with children with Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  Weighted products may also benefit children with ADHD, anxiety, depression or other mental health difficulties.

Weighted vests or blankets may be used at various times throughout a day.  It is not recommended that they are used continuously all day.  A weighted vest or blanket may be used as a part of a sensory diet providing gentle deep pressure at chosen times (eg. during reading on the floor, during homework time, at night during sleep, etc).

"A weighted vest or blanket is used to provide a sense of calm or 
deep pressure to the person using it."

Sensory Calm is a Sydney based company specialising in chain weighted vests and blankets for children and adults.  There are different size and weight options available, depending on the size of the person using the vest or blanket.  The chains in the blanket are arranged in longitudinal channels.  The weighted chains are sewn into the blanket and vest and can not be removed without damaging the product.  The vest comes with three clips across the body which are difficult for a child to release on their own {which is a good thing}. 

The vests and blankets are TGA approved, hypoallergenic, machine washable on a 60 gentle program and they are made from a Fire retardant fabric.  

Sensory Calm are able to arrange a trial of these products and further information may also be obtained from their website. There is valuable information including links to case studies.

Sensory Calm recently provided me with a chain weighted vest and blankets for trial. I was impressed with the quality of the products and the guidelines provided when introducing the products for the first time. 

A brief trial of the chain weighted vest and blankets was conducted with Joshua, aged 6 years from Sydney {name changed for privacy}.  

Background information:
Joshua is in Kindergarten in a mainstream school in Sydney.  He was seen for an Occupational Therapy assessment in 2013 (by a different OT).  At the time, he demonstrated difficulty with multi-sensory processing (interpreting information from several sources at once), problem solving and motor planning (planning out and carrying out solutions to motor based problems with his body).  Whilst at preschool, Joshua had difficulty persisting with a task he found challenging.  He also had some difficulty with fine motor skills and had not established a hand dominance.

Product trial:  Joshua was given the weighted vest and blankets from Sensory Calm to trial over a period of 4 weeks.  The vest and comforter (small blanket) were used during "quiet activities" such as playing Lego on the floor or watching television.  Joshua used the comforter most nights when sleeping.

Parental observation: Joshua was always relaxed and content with using the weighted vest of comforter.  He sought the weighted vest on 2 occasions.  He was unable to identify why he wanted the weighted vest and would say that he was "cold".  Joshua loved sleeping with the comforter.

Additionally, Joshua's siblings also enjoyed the sleeping with the comforter and using it during the day.  Whilst they do not have identified Sensory Processing difficulties, they found the blanket comforting.  

Joshua's family are investigating the purchase of the comforter from Sensory Calm.

A big thank you to Joshua and his family for trialling these products and allowing their story to be told here.  The photographs on this page are not of Joshua.

Would your child benefit from trialling a weighted vest or blanket?

This is a sponsored post by Sensory Calm. I was compensated for my time in writing this post. Reviews and endorsements of products are only made based on my expertise and personal opinion, and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. 

For more information about sensory processing, refer to the following articles:

A sensory diet...nothing to do with food!

Tactile Defensiveness...what can we do?

My child hates messy play!