The Designer of the weighted vest and PlayWeights

Barbara S. Dudley, MSN, RN
As a registered nurse, university instructor and medical sales specialist for 22 years, Barbara Dudley studied, researched and practiced in many areas of pediatric healthcare. While studying as a graduate student, she began to focus on pediatric nutrition and research. As a part of her focus she lectured on breastfeeding and published in the area of the carbohydrate needs of children. To become more competent in her work, she began to focus in the area of children with special needs. Shortly after this career focus change, her son was diagnosed with Autism.
 Weighted Vest Photo Showing Kids With Vest And The Weighted Vest Designer
While working at the Virginia Commonwealth University she began and coordinated Project PEDS (Parents Educating Doctors and Students). This program was part of the medical students course work in pediatrics designed to educate students on the "real world" perspective from parents on having a child with special healthcare needs.

In 1998, to meet the special needs of her son, she began to research and design products to assist in his therapy. One product that made the most significant difference was her new twist to the weighted vest concept. Based on physics, body dynamics and style, Barbara created the new standard for weighted vest products. In addition to her company, In Your Pocket™, est. 1999, her "Signature Weighted Vest" and other products, Barbara is writing a book on weighted therapy and lectures on "Why Weight".

Barbara graduated with a Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Graduate School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from The University of South Alabama, School of Nursing. She has served on many state and national committees including the Virginia Advisory Task Force on Children with Special Health Care Needs and the Special Health Care Needs, Tri-Regional Planning Committee.

Barbara is married, has 3 sons and lives in Midlothian, Virginia.


In 1998, my son was diagnosed with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder with significant delays in language. He soon began a series of therapies. During his occupational therapy, his therapist taught us about proprioceptive feedback and recommended we try a weighted vest to help him with sensory processing and motor planning. After wearing the vest we noticed a calmer, less frustrated child. We also noticed an increase in his verbal skills. Unfortunately, the vests we were able to purchase were expensive looked "therapeutic" and seemed uncomfortable.

I wanted to make a vest for him that looked like regular clothing. After many redesigns, I developed a weighted vest using body dynamics and discovered an easy method for making weights.
Weighted Vest Photo Showing Kids With Vest And The Weighted Vest Designer

In 1999, In Your PocketTM was created and now five years later our vests are featured in Abilitations, Integrations and Beyond Play. PlayWeightsTM was created to assist James with his interaction with other children. In Your Pocket Designs, Inc. has now partnered with Sportime/Abilitations and handed over the manufacturing so that In Your PocketTM Designs can focus on creating innovative products. We have many exciting new items planned for late 2007 and 2008. Thank you for helping us to continue to foster Therapy to Reality.

Barbara Dudley, MSN, RN
In Your Pocket™
www.weightedvest.com

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In Your Pocket by Abilitations

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All Children do not have the same sensory integration needs. Weighted vests
should be used under the direction and advice of a healthcare professional
or licensed therapist and should be worn while under adult supervision.
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