We recently discovered at my sons new school that he benefits amazingly from deep pressure therapy. It helps him curb meltdowns and focus better. I've seen a few online sites with products but they get pretty expensive. He is 13 and wouldn't like a vest or anything noticeable if he used it in public. We really need to find something to use at home because we are still having many meltdowns there.
what about a lap blanket? my schools OT had them made... getting fish tank rocks and filling them in like a 9 by 5 pillow case... they used corduroy material.. would he let that be on his lap?
are you crafty? What about sewing little pockets on a blanket and adding bean bag weights? Maybe even doing velcro would work? My son never wanted to do the vest thing either, but loved the weighted blanket at school, maybe even a lap pad? I know people have used like a fishing vest before and used that to add weights too...take old checkbook boxes or of the close size and you can even add washers/nuts/bolts, things like that to make the different weights. Even carrying those objects from one room to the next while at home maybe? Laundry basket?
Swiming. I have twins with sutism and one is soothed from the pressure of having his body submurged in the swing pool. It's amazing how much this has helped him function.
check out funandfunction...not sure if the sizes would fit but they have a wide variety of ideas and aren't completely ridiculous prices... Also most of the compression shirts/vests are scuba materials or the same as swim shirts...My son loves deep pressure and also loves the athletic "compression" shirts that you can buy at target.
I read somewhere about a mother that used ankle weights for her son. I'm going to bring it up to our OT as my son is the same way, but he's reluctant to use anything other children would see.