The Use of Weighted Vests with Children with Autism SpectrumDisorders and Other Disabilities

摘要

Therapists who use sensory integration therapymay recommend that children wear weighted vests as anintervention strategy that they claim may assist in reme-diating problems such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity,stereotypic behaviors and clumsiness. Seven studiesexamining weighted vests are reviewed. While there is onlya limited body of research and a number of methodologicalweaknesses, on balance, indications are that weighted vestsare ineffective. There may be an arguable case for con-tinued research on this intervention but weighted vestscannot be recommended for clinical application at thispoint. Suggestions are offered for future research withregard to addressing methodological problems.