Weighted Belt for Autism? -- Research Summary

AUTISM: Autism is a complex, neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). One in 150 individuals are diagnosed with an ASD, making them more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Early signs of autism usually witnessed by parents typically include unusual behaviors and failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then regressed. Lack of eye contact, repetitive behaviors and delayed or unusual speech patterns are just a few symptoms that are common in most ASD cases.

MIRACLE OR MISLEADING? The Miracle Belt is a weighted therapy belt designed for children weighing less than 75 pounds. It is said to promote self-calming, balance and increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. Proprioception is a person's ability to sense his/her body parts. It tells whether the body is moving with required effort and where body parts are located in relation to each other. The belt stimulates the proprioceptive system through nerves in the muscles, joints, and ligaments around joints. When the receptors feel tension, they signal the brain, which in turn, tells muscles to contract or relax, thus, improving awareness.

The belt is used as an adjunct to therapy, including physical, occupational and speech therapies. It can also be worn for durations throughout the day with breaks for meals, playtime, naps, etc. The belt may benefit children with autism, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Angelman syndrome, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, among others.

NOT REALLY A "MIRACLE?" Some experts say parents should not mistake the belt as a "miracle" cure for a disorder. "It may be helpful in an overall regime for a child with a developmental problem who needs that sense of solidity as they're walking around and doing activities, but it's not going to cure anybody, and it's actually rather expensive for people who are struggling to make ends meet and to decide where to put their limited funds in terms of therapies for children," Leslie Gavin, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at Nemours Children's Clinic in Orlando, Fla., told Ivanhoe.