Quite a Miracle - OT Vest - Prayer - Seit teacher
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive July-December 2003:
Quite a Miracle - OT Vest - Prayer - Seit teacher
Recently I was quite overwhelmed by ds school situation. I gave up and gave it to god, though I am not too religious lately.
The special ed teacher and ot teacher told me to get an ot weighted vest for ds for school which he is supposed to wear 1/2 a hour a day before school. It is going to calm him down for 2 hours.
I was at first quite alarmed at the suggestion but then figured it isn't drugs so why not. I ordered him a special denim cute vest specially made by an ot person.
I put the vest on him and that day the regular ed teacher said he was much improved. This is the first positive thing she said about ds in 3 weeks.
I talked to the special ed department head for 1 hour last night. I was basically repeating myself like a nut - about how ds is entitled to a least restrictive environment for his education and how I felt like she wasn't giving ds a chance to be in a regular ed classroom because of limited seit (special ed teacher).
She gave in and said if the regular ed teacher said that 2 hours of seit a day (special ed) teacher help would make a miraculous change in ds educationally (They don't care about behavior) and the seit teacher could tell her how ds was going to benefit, then she would give ds 2 hours of private special ed teacher a day.
Now ds regular ed teacher is having a hard time with ds so I doubted she would say anything and I doubted the seit teacher would say anything.
Anyway, I was wrong, the regular ed teacher has decided to give ds a chance if he has the two hours of seit teacher and wears the vest before school for 1/2 a hour.
The seit teacher is going to give ds a chance at the school.
And the vest help him settle down the first time he wore it.
Altogether a remarkable story. It isn't over but I can't believe ds is going to have a chance at the school.
That is wonderful news Feona. I'm so glad you were able to let go and not keep it as your own worry. 
How bout DS? Has he made comments on how he is feeling? Does he see the difference? Does he feel more at ease? I sure hope so.
I'm so glad your son has a mom like you to help him thru this.
Feona,
That is great news. It feels so wonderful to hear positive news about your children. I am glad the vest is working. You are a great mommy keep up the good work!
Feona,
Thats great news. But, could you explain the vest thing? How does an ot weighted vest calm him down?
I don't know how the ot vest works. We just used it at home for 1/2 hour today. I read him 5 books after the park. I was surprised he could sit for the 5 books after being tired from the hot park.
The teacher said it worked for 2 hours today, which is how long it is supposed to last. Wear 1/2 hour and take it off and calm lasts 2 hours.
Here is a link that may explain how it works.
http://www.otvest.com/index.html
I really don't understand it at all.
http://www.thegraycenter.org/sensory_integration.htm
feona, this artical is a great read. It specifically talks about sensory intergration disorder, but it kind of explains why the vest works. With my son we have done lots of sensory activities and they have really helped him.
Good news Feona! Looks like things are looking up!
Some kids with Sensory Integration Disorder are calmed by having really heavy backpacks, tightly laced shoes or carrying heavy things in their hands. I have my son carry heavy things (but he doesn't know why I'm asking him.) He also likes to be rolled in a blanket taco-style. I wish I could have a weighted blanket! My son is not dx with this, bec he is rather mild, but I do some of the OT stuff around the house to help him.
It's weird how it works, huh?
You could get one of those bean bag things for your neck, and put it on his lap while he works. You could also make one a bit larger, to be like a lap pad. Just sew the square and put beans or rice in it.
A couple of my kids have used weighted vests. You might want to send it to school, and let him wear it again after the 2 hours. (on half an hour, off 2, then repeat)
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