Please refer to the below web sites to view the research done on weighted vests with children with attention difficulties (AOTA, abstract Nov/Dec 2001 AJOT). Children were timed with and without wearing a weighted vest within the classroom to determine if the vest increased their attention-to-task, under the guidance of Nancy VandenBerg, MS, OTR., (prompting her to later design the OTvest). It is hoped that the other sites may be helpful as well, such as the link to Mom's View for how the OTvest has worked with some children, and see our Facebook page and Testimonials for more.
Television interview with Nancy VandenBerg
Occupational therapist and creator of the OTvest, as featured on the Lori Moore Show for Autism Awareness Month, speaking about the benefits of the OTvest:
http://wwmt.com/features/lori-moore-show/040816-nancy-vandenburg-and-aj-salinas-on-task-weighted-vest
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) -- Ms. VandenBerg's manuscript on the Use of Weighted Vests with Children with ADHD, a timed study on the effectiveness of use, published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT).
https://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1869050&resultClick=3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10580118_The_Use_of_a_Weighted_Vest_To_Increase_On-Task_Behavior_in_Children_With_Attention_Difficulties
VandenBerg, N.L. (2001). The use of a weighted vest to increase on-task behavior in children with attention difficulties. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 621-628. November/December 2001.
This research is also published in the book, Pediatric Issues in Occupational Therapy: A Compendium of Leading Scholarship (Royeen, 2004) published by AOTA (N. VandenBerg, Chapter 25.)
YouTube video of a woman with cerebellar ataxia wearing the OTvest denim weighed vest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrUqojV9NJg
OTvest Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/OTvest/
National Ataxia Foundation (USA)
www.ataxia.org
People with ataxia have problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements.
United Kingdom Ataxia Blog
https://healthunlocked.com/ataxia-uk/posts/135026708/ot-vestPubMed.gov US National
Library of Medicine
2004;24(3):45-60 The use of weighted vests in pediatric occupational therapy
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15257968
STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder
https://www.spdstar.org/basic/books-products-and-online-tools
STAR Institute is the premier treatment, research and education center for children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). This includes feeding disorders and other disorders with sensory issues such as autism and ADHD.
Mom's View
http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/23/16737.html
This is a message board with discussions regarding parenting issues and tips for parenting special needs children, from a parent's point of view. Coupons and freebies, as well as connecting with other parents that are dealing with similar issues. A discussion about brushing and the use of weighted vests (OTvest). The OTvest has been in use since 2002!
The Out-of Sync Child
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com
Information is provided on recognizing and coping with sensory integration dysfunction at this web site, with many helpful resources, including the book by Carol Stock Kranowitz.
The Tourette Association of America
https://www.tourette.org/resource/educators-guide-developing-plans-students-tourette-syndrome/
An Educator's Guide for Developing Plans for Students with Tourette Syndrome, which includes using a weighted vest for those with sensory processing difficulties (see section on sensory processing and recommending the use of weighted vests, such as the OTvest, weighted vest. The OTvest can help reduce tics by providing deep pressure therapy for calming and relaxing.
Autism Speaks
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/sensory-tools-products
An important resource for information regarding autism--including awareness, information, research and fund raising.
Irvine Therapy Services
http://www.irvinetherapyservices.com
Influenced by the Jean Ayres research on sensory integration, Irvine Therapy Services was the first clinic in Orange Country, CA (1980) to provide treatment by licensed occupational therapists using Jean Ayres Sensory Integration Techniques, and is still providing services.
Peaceful Products
https://peacefulproduct.com/resources/#toggle-id-2
A resource for washable weighted blankets.
Sensory Processing Disorder Resources
http://www.giantleapsot.com/view_toy.php?toy=533
Recommended by Giant Leaps Occupational Therapy Service