Fun and Function Weighted Vest Review

I didn’t know anything about using Weighted Vests to help children with Autism until I was asked to review one for Fun and Function. I was happy to have the opportunity to learn about them and hopefully help parents learn about interventions for their children.  I posted below some statements I found about using weighted vest.  I can say that our five year old told me it “makes him feel better,” so I am thrilled with it.  I did some research on the internet for different kinds of weighted vests and I can certainly say that Fun and Function provides the cutest looking one.  The vest is also well made with Fleece, and comes with two pounds of bean bag weights.  You can use whatever amount recommended  and there are pockets in the back to place them.  Our son doesn’t even know they are there and no one else would notice either.  The only downfall, it picks up a lot of lint, but that is easy to brush off.
These vests come in the color Navy Blue in Small, Medium and Large.  We haven’t used it at school yet, but I wouldn’t have any problem with him wearing it because his peers wouldn’t notice there was anything different about his clothes.  I also found out if we and his IEP team felt he needed one, the school would pay for one for him to wear.  If your child would benefit from using a weighted vest, I would definitely utilize your IEP team. Remember this is a non-invasive therapeutic opportunity. Weighted vest research is in its infancy. Parents and therapists should try using the vest in many situations to determine what will and won’t work for each individual child. If your child is diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD, or Hyperactivity, it’s worth researching. NOTE: Weighted vests are best used and “prescribed” under the direction of a trained Occupational Therapist. If you do not already have one and think your child may benefit from one, check to see if a local clinic, rehab facility, or school has an occupational therapist you can talk to and express your concerns. They will then determine if your child would benefit from an OT evaluation. They are doing some studies and below is some more information I found and linked below.

Many children with sensory processing disorders, autism, or ADHD show dramatic improvement in their ability to sit still and concentrate on tasks. These vests can be used before or during gross motor, heavy work, table top, classroom, or at-home activities, when their bodies need that extra input in order to perform tasks with sustained concentration

You can purchase the Vests as well as many other great resources at www.funandfunction.com

Have you checked out www.bykidsonly.com yet?  Here is what it all about as described from the website:

By Kids Only is committed to helping all children express their ides, and feel good about themselves. But first you have to get dressed, right? Of course.

Many children are sensitive to certain fabrics and styling, especially children with sensory processing disorder or autism. It can be tough to find clothes that are comfortable, easy to put on, and look good too.  Now your child can be part of the solution, and participate in the design process at By Kids Only

I love this idea!  Right now there are over 20 designs displayed that were conceived and drawn by kids.  Coming in June the clothes with the most votes will be for sale.  I picked a couple of my favorites below and posted them just to show you how imaginative the designs are.  The one on the right was designed by Fiona, with a Velcro closure for children who have a difficult time with fine motor skills.  You can have your child design a shirt and you never know, it may be selected!

Recommended Books On Autism

TOP TEN TIPS BY TERESA A. CARDON M.A.

I get by with a little help … Do you ever feel like you’re in this parenting thing alone? Like no one understands what you’re going through? Parenting children on the autism spectrum is an adventure with countless twists and turns. However, with a little help from 44 fellow parents and professionals your daily journey can be a little less bumpy.

Top Ten Tips offers 520 practical, tried-and-true tips. The book is organized so that you don’t have to read through theories or lengthy descriptions – it is all practical; short and sweet. The stuff you want to know NOW! The book is broken down into nine chapters with topics ranging from family outings, holidays, and frequent activities (bath time, meal time, etc.).

This at-your-fingertips tool will help families with a child on the autism spectrum navigate their way through everyday activities and occurrences in. Contributors include speech language therapists, occupational therapists, autism experts, parents, and individuals on the spectrum.

I immediately was impressed by all the topics Top Ten Tips covers.  Everything is covered, from the everyday topics such as eating and bed time, to the infrequent such as Disney World.  In fact, we just happened to be going to Florida for Christmas and the travel tips and theme park tips saved me.  The tips are practical and cover the Autism Spectrum.  I found Top Ten Tips easy to read and will be referencing it for years.  The appendix guide and reference guide at the end of the book are worth the price alone too.  I already found an amazing documentary to send to my family from the tips that has helped tremendously.  I highly recommend this book to parents, family and care givers to learn more about how to help the amazing child with Autism in their life.   You can read an excerpt here and buy Top Ten Tips for $19.99 at  AAPC Publishing Company.

WHAT’S THAT LOOK ON YOUR FACE BY CATHERINE S. SNODGRASS

Recognizing and interpreting facial expressions and the feelings they represent poses great challenges for children with language and communication difficulties, including those with an autism spectrum disorder. This strikingly illustrated book helps young readers link faces to feelings by presenting situations they can all relate to. Each page spread is devoted to a feeling expressed through an exaggerated facial expression accompanied by a short poem that further elaborates on the expression to reinforce its meaning.

The Foreword by Diane Twatchman-Cullen includes activities designed to help children develop the skills necessary to recognize common facial expressions using the accompanying poster-size chart of the twelve basic feelings covered.

What’s That Look On Your Face  is recommended for grades 3-5th but my five year old and I enjoyed reading it tremendously!  I adapted it more for his age by having him act out the facial expressions.  The words are definitely for older children.  I absolutely adore the illustrations!  My son really responded to them.  They are unique and impressive.  Twelve feelings are covered and with each one is a rhyming poem of other words for those feelings. The activities in the beginning of the book are a great additional resource. What’s That Look is available for $18.95 at AAPC PUBLISHING COMPANY.  Below is an example of the adorable illustrations.  You can read an excerpt here.

MY SENSORY BOOK BY LAUREN H. KERSTEIN L.C.S.W.

*   This text is set up for adults to use with children and older children to use on their own (although adult facilitation may be quite useful).

Children struggling with sensory integration issues have limited, sometimes even no, ability to do anything else. My Sensory Book: The More I Know About My World, The Better I Will Feel is a workbook designed to assist children with establishing a clearer understanding of their sensory systems and the impact sensory input may have on their emotions. The book provides clear descriptions and specific information about sensory systems and illustrates the link that can exist between sensory input and emotions.

This relationship can be useful in children and adults establishing and understanding the triggers for their strong emotions, which helps make it easier to put strategies in place that may mitigate these feelings and ultimately help them cope more effectively with the world around them. The workbook includes activity opportunities for self exploration in the areas of sensory systems, arousal levels, and emotions and walks children (and their adults) through determining a personal plan for difficult situations.

My Sensory Book is laid out effectively and simply to understand more about sensory issues that some children may struggle with.  Each chapter covers each sensory and describes symptoms, strategies and resources for the parent and the child to utilize.  It includes effective worksheets and activities parents can work on with their child to help them understand their triggers and how to effectively manage them.  I think My Sensory Book is a wonderful resource for parents and children struggling with this topic.  You can read an excerpt here and My Sensory Book is available for    $21.95 at AAPC Publishing Company.