Massage Therapists, Aurora, IL
Therapeutic Weighted Belts Improve Body Awareness, Self-Control & Relaxation in Autistic and ADHD Children and Adults
Two new weighted therapy belts are shown to promote self-calming, balance, and increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. The therapeutic weighted belt is effective for infants, children, teens and adults with special sensory needs.
The Sensory belt is a weighted therapy belt designed for children, teens, and adults weighing more than 75 pounds. The Miracle Belt is a pediatric weighted therapy belt specifically designed for infants and children weighing less than 75 pounds.
The belts are adjustable and come in a variety of waist sizes ranging from one pound for infants at 14 to 24 inches to six pounds for teens and adults at 34 to 44 inches.
They are made of EVA foam for flexibility and stability along with neoprene weight pouches filled with tiny stainless steel balls. They have been tested by occupational and physical therapists at Community Haven for Adults and Children (CHAC) in Sarasota, Florida. Positive feedback has also been received from occupational and physical therapists, teachers, and parents from all across the country. The belts have also been tested child safe under the strict guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Prices range from $49.95 to $89.95 depending on the size and weight requested. Every belt comes standard in black, or blue and pink belt covers. An adjustable belt strap extended is also available for waste sizes over 44 inches for $9.95.
For more information visit www.miraclebelt.com or www.sensorybelt.com
Who is this product for:
Anyone facing the challenges posed by Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Angelman syndome, Apraxia, Aspergers syndrome (AS), Ataxia, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Dyslexia, Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS), Hypotonia, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), Rett syndrome, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) will benefit.
How it works:
Proprioception is the sense of position and movement of the limbs and the sense of muscular tension. The awareness of the orientation of the body in space and the direction, extent, and rate of movement of the limbs depend in part upon information derived from sensory receptors in the joints, tendons, and muscles. Information from these receptors, called proprioceptors, is normally integrated with that arising from vestibular receptors (which signal gravitational acceleration and changes in velocity of movements of the head), as well as from visual, auditory, and tactile receptors. Sensory information from certain proprioceptors, particularly those in muscles and tendons, need not reach consciousness, but can be used by the motor system as feedback to guide postural adjustments and control of well-practiced or semiautomatic movements such as those involved in walking.
What People Are Saying:
“The Sensory Belt is often worn by several of my students for short periods of time to help them calm down to focus on their assigned tasks.”
Jane Foppe MEd,
Autism Spectrum Teacher
“The Sensory Belt™ has had an amazing effect on my son! The belt calms him down and allows him to be better focused so he is able to sit and color, play games, etc. without extraneous movement. At seven years old my son asks for his belt because he knows it’s helping him. Every child who has Sensory Integration Disorder should have one of these.”
Marijane Farr,
Mother of a Child with PDD-NOS & SID
“I gave a Sensory Belt™ to my first ADHD client, and I was truly amazed at the instant positive reaction this boy had. He immediately expressed that he felt the weight of the belt helped him calm his body and reduce his hyperactivity. I had him take the belt home for use with his parents, and the next week they all reported that the belt had continued to help him control his activity level. My client said it felt like magic. His parents said he had only had to use the belt a few times, and that the results had lasted longer each time.”
Terry Alan Hayes, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist (Marshfield MA)
“As a primary care pediatrician I have been truly impressed by the therapeutic benefit of the Miracle Belt™. The Miracle Belt™ has assisted several of my patients with proprioceptive deficits as well as those with poor truncal tone to achieve significant milestones such as sitting, walking and climbing steps. I would urge therapists and physicians working with children with these types of special healthcare needs to consider a therapeutic trial with the Miracle Belt.”
Dr. Patricia J. Blanco, M.D.,
Primary Care Pediatrician (Sarasota FL)
“When comparing the Sensory Belt™ to a weighted vest, the belt is far superior! Weighted vests are cumbersome and the weights do not sit evenly which can jeopardize the benefits of the input they are intended to provide. Therapeutically, it makes sense to provide the weight at the center of the trunk, because this is where movement stability and movement patterns come from.”
Kelly Beins,
Occupational Therapist OTR/L (Jefferson MD)
For more information visit www.miraclebelt.com or www.sensorybelt.com
I received samples of the belt to review and was not compensated in any way, my opinions are my own. The belt is simple and straightforward enough, it looks quite similar to training belts for weight lifting. The material is soft and though I do not know the exact construction but can say that it does not leak (I have sandbags for therapeutic use in yoga classes that leak sand from the seams) and it holds up. I consider this to be an invaluable tool when working with children who are hyperactive or autistic, especially in yoga classes. Many of these children lack the ability to “feel” grounded, but the belt can help with this. I even tried this out with my own son. Although he does not suffer from ADHD or autism, he does have epilepsy which is managed by medication, a side effect of which is hyperactivity. I tried this belt on him, and who knows if it was the added weight alone slowing him down, but for the times I can get him to keep it on, his movement is more controlled and deliberate and he is easier to relate tasks to – such as “pick this up and put it away”.
When a parent or caregiver looks at the overall cost of therapy and drug treatments, this belt with its $49.95 price tag seems small if it can make a huge difference. If children with special needs can focus better with the belt on, then they can better learn the materials in front of them, participate more constructively in programming and make faster achievements – I am postulating this as a former educator and volunteer with children with special needs. The belt comes with a 30 day money back guarantee so it makes sense to me to give it a try, you have little to lose and a world to gain.
Is the Sensory Belt better than a weighted vest?
Definitely! There are a number of reasons why the Sensory Belt™ is more effective than a weighted vest. During development of the Sensory Belt™ many therapists shared the problems they encountered while using the weighted vest. One occupational therapist told us about how one of her ADHD clients began throwing the weight from the vest because he didn’t like the way the weighted vest felt. Due to these types of experiences with the weighted vest our consulting therapists recommended we design the weighted belt with stationary weight. Because the weighted belt is centered around the waist less weight is needed to provide effective proprioceptive feedback for sensory regulation. So the old mentality of 10% of body weight has been thrown out the window. Not only does less weight work more effectively around the waist but it also elliminates excess body heat and discomfort caused by the weighted vest. The belt is also adjustable which provides extended wear as your child grows. Many therapists have noticed how the weighted vest effects posture, especially with children who are low tone. The weighted belt provides children with a solid base of support creating a stronger core which is the foundation of all movement. The therapeutic weighted belt is clearly the most effective weighted therapy for infants and children with Autism, ADHD, and sensory needs.
