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1. How much does the "Fairy Pricess" and "Dino Hero" costumes cost?
The new technology of the weighted material, called Dermasol DS-300, located in the vest, anklets, and wrist bands, offers the most weight in the thinnest format and highest comfort level. It also molds to your child and moves with your child during play. So, he/she can move freely without feeling bulky from the weights. The benefits far exceed other weight products on the market. |
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Each outfit has the versatility of being used as a weighted vest (weights around the waist), a deep pressure vest (weights over the shoulders) or dorsal proprioception (wrist/ankle weights). This allows for maximum use of the outfit under a variety of circumstances. Children with Dysfunction of Sensory Integration (DSI) and other developmental disabilities many times do not display these abilities. Most children with Dysfunction of Sensory Integration (DSI) can only handle one or two senses at a time. The can have unusually high or unusually low activity levels. When their senses are over-sensitive or underresponsive they can act out certain behaviors to make sense of their world such as seeking out deep pressure, bouncing, running in patterns, head rocking, poor coordination, chewing on shirt, etc. |
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3. What are the benefits/downsides to using a weighted garment? |
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| Benefits: First and foremost it is a non-invasive therapeutic opportunity for the family, teacher, therapist and child. It can allow the child to understand their relationship to the world. To provide information about the child's movements and positions of the body. It can also be comforting and calming to the child. And when used according to each individual child's needs it can be a method of behavior modification. Downsides: Some therapists feel that the garment should be limited in the amount of time it is worn because a child might accommodate to it. I don't agree with this completely. Each child is different and you must use the garment based on the behavior(s) you are trying to change or modify. When used this way, the behavior dictates the amount of time the garment is needed. If used as a time on/time off method or part of a time intensive sensory diet the caretaker's compliance can decrease and the full benefits of the garment are not seen. Some therapists and teachers don't like to use the garment because they have to struggle to get it on and keep it on. My thoughts on this although not scientifically proven but scientifically based is that children are receiving pleasure from the behavior that indicated the need for the use of the garment. The use of the garment forces them to come down from a natural high and forces their autonomic nervous system to slow thing downs. Here begins the struggle. Think of it as giving an antidote to an addict on a high. They would fight too! 4. There are many weighted products on the market, why do you recommend the use of a weighted vest or weighted garment? The main reason there are so many weighted products on the market is because no singular item on the menu fits all. For example, a weighted lap pad works well for some children who have difficulty sitting in a classroom, at a desk or on the floor in a circle for classroom story time. The weight over the legs helps them feel the back of the legs and buttocks in relationship to the item they are sitting on and gives them grounding. A weighted Blanket may be necessary for child who has sleep difficulties or those that need to be held tight to calm down from over stimulation or a tantrum. Weighted garments are used to help a child with his body in relation to real time and through proprioception provides the needed stimuli to the body. 5. As a consumer, why should I choose an "In Your Pocket™" weighted product over other commercial weighted garments? First, let me say that there is a need for most of the weighted products currently on the market. The In Your Pocket™ PlayWeights™ is the only one of its kind and is designed for the consumer, i.e. parents, teachers and therapists that want to have a therapeutic item in a non therapeutic setting such as home, the classroom, at the mall, or at church. Most children with Sensory Processing Disorder or DSI are not deaf, dumb and blind. They understand much and have feelings too! They may not express themselves like we consider to be the norm in our society but they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Making a fun and therapeutic play garment look like regular, fun clothing can do that. 6. How did you decide where to place the weights in PlayWeights™? PlayWeights™ comes with 10 total weights to be used together or in combination. Each outfit has the versatility of being used as a weighted vest (weights around the waist), a deep pressure vest (weights over the shoulders) or dorsal proprioception (wrist/ankle weights). This allows for maximum use of the outfit under a variety of circumstances. |
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| 7. How often and for what time duration would you recommend using a PlayWeights™ or a weighted garment? |
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| This question is quite controversial within the OT population and because this is the first time for a play outfit time limits are not standard. Remember you are trying to help and comfort a child when using the garment. It may work today for one situation and tomorrow for another. I think the behavior/ situation is more important than time especially in today's world when parents are overwhelmed as it is. Having them use the garment for 20 minutes on and 5 minutes off or some time concept may decrease the compliance of the garment and therefore the full effect will never be realized. I believe the added weight the garment provides does help to retrain the nervous system's ability to handle sensory over or under stimulation. Using PlayWeights™ to foster play does more than provide proprioception and sensory input it also promotes body and spatial awareness, fosters creative movement and interaction with other children. Children are naturally curious. Other children will want to see what they are wearing. 8. What words of advice would you give a parent who has recently had their child identified as having Sensory Processing Disorder? First it isn't easy and don't let anyone tell you that it will be. Find a supportive friend, family member or group that is willing to listen and not necessarily give you advice. There have been many times, I would go to the bathroom and scream while he was screaming. That's OK. The best advice is don't give up to soon on any new technique or intervention that you try. Because children with Sensory Processing Disorder can have touchy, feely, nails on the chalk board issues nothing that invades their world is going to work the first time. Start slow, take it a day at a time and realize you didn't learn your alphabet in one day. And at night when they are sleeping, gently kiss them and say thank you for showing me a different way of relating to the world. |
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In Your Pocket 1508 Tackley Place, Midlothian VA 23114 Phone: (804) 379-0944 l Fax: (804) 379-9088 weightedvest@comcast.net HOME l ABOUT PLAYWEIGHTS l FEATURES l ORDER l THE DESIGNER l CONTACT US l FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS l HOW TO USE PLAYWEIGHTS IN REALITY l WHY USE A WEIGHTED GARMENT? l RECOMMENDED MATERIAL 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. Copyright 2004. www.playweights.com. All rights reserved. Have you found us by searching weighted vest autism or occupational therapy? We offer professionally manufactured weighted vests. Compare our weighted vest to other weighted vest companies. |