Normal child growth and development requires a careful balance of not only physical health but also neurological and psychological health. For some children, especially those with a pre-disposition for autism, there is a risk for abnormal connections between the triad of child development – often leading to sensory complications. If your child has been diagnosed with any type of sensory developmental disorder, it is important to consider how alternative medicine may play a role in your child’s care, including the use of a sensory weighted vest.
Traditionally, abnormal child growth and development has been managed by pediatricians with a team of pediatric psychologists and other pediatric specialties. But, as more and more families turn to more natural ways of improving child growth and development, other resources and specialties have come to be involved. Providing holistic medical care, for example, is one way in which parents are choosing to help their children overcome abnormal development.
The sensory weighted vest has, in recent years, become an increasingly more popular form of holistic care provided to children. For a child with any type of sensory complication, from autism to cerebral palsy to multiple sclerosis, the use of a sensory weighted vest may help to improve quality of life. As a vest that is traditionally worn while sleeping, the sensory weighted vest gives a child a sense of closeness and security that often allows the other senses to relax and begin to interpret stimuli around them. In more recent years, the vest has been used by some children when entering school for the first time as it may help to relax fears and concerns about school, and even reduce the risks associated with school phobia.
Before using a sensory weighted vest on your child, always seek out pediatric opinion and determine if this is the appropriate tool to use for your child’s specific health needs. For many children, the sensory weighted vest has long been used at night, to aide in sleep, but more recently has taken place as a tool that is used during the day as well. Finding the right balance for your child will depend, in part, on the opinion of the healthcare team that is providing traditional medical care to your child.
Even in children who are perfectly healthy, a sensory weighted vest may improve quality of sleep at night. Consider this holistic healthcare tool no matter what your child’s health status may be but in a child who has any type of autism or other sensory abnormality, this tool is a must-have for your home supplies.
Sources: The Out-Of-Sync Child, by Carol Kranowitz