The Use of Weighted Vests with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Disabilities

Abstract

Therapists who use sensory integration therapy may recommend that children wear weighted vests as an intervention strategy that they claim may assist in remediating problems such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, stereotypic behaviors and clumsiness. Seven studies examining weighted vests are reviewed. While there is only a limited body of research and a number of methodological weaknesses, on balance, indications are that weighted vests are ineffective. There may be an arguable case for continued research on this intervention but weighted vests cannot be recommended for clinical application at this point. Suggestions are offered for future research with regard to addressing methodological problems.

Weighted Vests, Stereotyped Behaviors and Arousal in Children with Autism

“…First, the participants' motoric stereotyped behaviors may not be serving an arousal modulation function. Many users of weighted vests identify a calming and modulating function for the vests (Olson and Moulton 2004a;Stephenson and Carter 2009). However, if this is not the purpose of the participants' stereotyped behaviors then changes in behaviors would not be expected.…”

“…Thus, weighted vests are recommended to provide an overall calming and modulating influence to decrease stereotyped behaviors, regardless of their form (Olson and Moulton 2004a, b;Stephenson and Carter 2009). We did not find that weighted vests had an impact on motoric stereotyped behaviors, but, these behaviors have been successfully eliminated with behavioral intervention (e.g., systematic extinction procedures) when replaced with more socially appropriate means of achieving the same type of sensory stimulation (Cunningham and Schreibman 2008).…”

“…Weighted vest use is typically based on sensory integration theory, which purports that graded sensory inputs, especially tactile and proprioceptive inputs, enhance neurological function and decrease problems caused by difficulty modulating sensory input (Baranek et al 2008;Huebner and Dunn 2001). For example, weighted vests have decreased off-task behavior in some children with autism (Fertel-Daly et al 2001;Hodgetts et al in press), although most children have not shown improvements in this area (Hodgetts et al in press;Stephenson and Carter 2009). Weighted vests have been linked with decreased stereotyped behaviors in persons with autism (Fertel-Daly et al 2001;Myles et al 2004;Reichow et al 2010), although methodological weaknesses in the studies by Fertel-Daly et al (2001) and Myles et al (2004) were noted.…”

Tactile Toys: Therapy for Tactile Dysfunctions

“…Weighted vests are being used during sensory integration therapy as an intervention strategy and may assist in remediating problems such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, stereotypic behaviors and clumsiness. [6] In another pilot study on the effectiveness of weighted vests, Collins and ii "A Comforting Design: K-State Students Design, Produce Vests for Children with Autism." (2011) News Services, June 27. https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun11/ autismvest62711.html Dworkin focused on the use of weighted vest on children with attention difficulties.…”

Parent‐selected interventions for infants at‐risk for autism spectrum disorders and their affected siblings

“…These include empirically supported interventions 1 (e.g., early intensive behavioral intervention or EIBI: Lovaas, 1987), professional services that may or may not use empirically supported interventions (e.g., speech-language and occupational therapy: Koenig & Gunter, 2005) and a host of non-empirically validated interventions (e.g., sensory integration, special diets, vitamin therapies, secretin, and weighted vests: Baranek, 2002;Elder, Shankar, Shuster, Theriaque, Burns, & Sherrill, 2006;Metz et al, 2005;Millward, Ferriter, Calver, & Connell-Jones, 2008;Nye & Brice, 2005;Perry & Condillac, 2003;Stephenson & Carter, 2008).…”