Weighted Items Tools for Helping Children Learn to Regulate

Weighted items provide safe, calming, deep pressure for persons experiencing anxiety, distress, restlessness, and difficulties with attention and executive control. These items include blankets, vests, dolls, and other soft items that are filled with heavy beads or pellets to add extra weight to them. We have successfully used weighted blankets, weighted vests, weighted dolls, and weighted teddy bears in our work for over fifteen years, as a way to help children and teens learn to self-manage their emotions and behavior. Children can hold a weighted item, place it on their lap, wrap it around their shoulders, or use it as a sleep aid. The amount of weight that is helpful for specific children can vary, and the weight that is most comfortable for the individual child should be used. HOW a weighted item is used, and WHETHER to use a weighted item, are ALWAYS controlled by the child or teen that is using it. — Dr. Karyn B. Purvis