Abstract:
Therapy apparel ( 10 ) is provided to assist in therapy sessions with children diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction and impaired motor development. The apparel ( 10 ) includes a fabric top ( 14 ) to be worn over the shoulders and trunk of a child ( 12 ), together with a cape ( 16 ) and close-fitting headgear ( 18 ). The top ( 14 ) has fanciful theme decorations (e.g., a beetle) and is equipped with a series of flexible elastic straps for the feet, knees and hands of the child ( 12 ) and which can be used during a therapy session. The cape ( 18 ) is likewise theme-decorated and includes handholds ( 84 ) allowing the child ( 12 ) to spread the cape during imaginative play. The headgear ( 18 ) is constructed using padded side and sections ( 104, 106 ) with flexible elastic sections ( 108 ) between the sections ( 104, 106 ), and a chin strap ( 110 ) allowing the headgear ( 18 ) to be drawn into close conforming relationship with the child&#39;s head. A series of individual accouterments ( 114 ) can be placed on the headgear at the discretion of the child.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/841,814 filed Apr. 25, 2001, claiming the benefit of provisional patent application S/No. 60/199,836 filed Apr. 26, 2000, and the entire content of such application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention is broadly concerned with therapy apparel for children diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction and/or impaired motor development. The apparel is designed to be worn during the course of a therapy session, and has been found to yield many benefits to children under such treatment. The preferred therapy apparel includes a top worn over the shoulders and trunk of a child with a series of flexible, stretchable elastic straps designed for selective placement around the child&#39;s feet and knees during different therapy exercises, and for grasping and lateral extension by the child. The top is adorned with fanciful theme decorations thereon to arouse the child&#39;s interest and fulfill play needs. The overall apparel further includes a cape and specialized, close-fitting headgear, which again are appropriately theme-decorated. The headgear is designed to permit the child to attach various fanciful accouterments to excite the child and enhance motor skill development.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Sensory integrative dysfunction is a developmental disorder defined by deficits in the central processing of proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular sensory inputs that are not attributable to either peripheral or cortical central nervous system dysfunction. The proprioceptive sense refers to components of muscles, joints, and tendons that provide a person with a subconscious awareness of body position and movement. Children with sensory integration dysfunction may have difficulty maintaining balance in relation to environmental demands and have difficulty with tasks that require opposing muscle groups to work in a coordinated fashion, such as wringing out a wash cloth or pouring milk from a heavy container. The tactile sense interprets applied stimuli such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature, through tactile receptors found throughout the skin. Some children are overly sensitive to touch, particularly light touch and have a tendency to react negatively and with extreme emotion to some tactile sensations. On the other hand, some children crave tactile input, touching and seeking out input. The vestibular sense is responsible for awareness of body position and movement in space, postural tone and equilibrium, and stabilization of the eyes in space during head movements. The vestibular receptors are located in the inner ear and are stimulated by movement of the head and by gravity. Children with sensory integration dysfunction may have balance difficulties and cannot tolerate or interpret movement, while others seem to crave movement opportunities.  
           [0006]    Sensory integration theory postulates that intervention through therapy provides enhanced sensory experience within the context of a meaningful, self-directed activity in order to elicit an adaptive behavior. The result is enhanced sensory integration and, in turn, enhanced learning.  
           [0007]    One method of proprioceptive and tactile sensory stimulation is deep pressure or deep touch pressure. Deep touch pressure is the type of surface pressure that is exerted in most types of firm touching, holding, and stroking. One investigator observed this need for deep pressure from a girl with autism as she would hug her mother with strong, firm hugs. Her mother indicated that her child favored clothing that covered her limbs and was made from cotton knit fabric. Her mother would often dress the child in a jumper or skirt over cotton knit, flowered longjohns. The need to cover the limbs with fabric that hugs the body is characteristic of the child who needs continuous tactile input. In contrast, a four-year-old male with autism was observed who did not like clothing. He would remove his shirt, socks, and shoes, and pull his pant legs up as far as possible. These are characteristic of tactile defensiveness.  
           [0008]    Weighted vests, weighted collars, weighted arms and leg bands, lap and shoulder weights, and weighted quilts are available for treating deep pressure needs. One investigator conducted a pilot study applying weighted vests with two samples, children with autism and children without autism. The non-autistic children reported that wearing the vest made them feel sleepy, but showed no appreciable change in pulse or blood pressure; whereas, the children with autism had measurable drops in both pulse rate and blood pressure reading. While the wearing of weighted vests are increasing in elementary schools and therapy treatment programs, the outcomes of wearing weighted vests are largely anecdotal and few parameters exist to guide the use of the vests.  
           [0009]    Gloves and pressure vests have been shown to reduce self-stimulatory behaviors of a young girl with autism. Similarly, self-injurious and self-stimulating behaviors of a boy with autism were reduced while wearing arm splints and elastic bandages. A calming effect provided by the direct pressure has been reported.  
           [0010]    An adult with autism has reported that deep pressure applied to her body provides a calming effect. A squeeze machine was designed to provide great amounts of pressure over her body. The squeeze machine&#39;s pressure also had a relaxing effect on adults without disability. Use of the squeeze machine also led to a reduction in hyperactivity in four of nine children.  
           [0011]    The foregoing indicates that deep pressure and tactile input is calming for children with sensory impairments and that apparel and textile products may be used as therapeutic aids.  
           [0012]    While the foregoing expedients have been used in the past in an attempt to provide appropriate therapy for children diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction, the prior apparel and the like has not fulfilled the play and imaginative needs of small children; moreover, the prior therapy garments do not generally provide the full range of desirable therapy inputs for the treatment of sensory integration dysfunctions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides therapy apparel for small children diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction and impaired motor development. Broadly speaking, the therapy apparel includes a flexible top adapted to be worn over the shoulders and trunk of a child requiring therapy, with the top having upper shoulder sections and a neck opening therebetween, and front and rear panels depending from the shoulder sections and presenting lower margins. The top includes a pair of flexible, stretchable first straps extending below the panel lower margins with each first strap being of a length for selective coupling with a respective one of the child&#39;s feet while the child is standing. In this orientation, the first straps cause the top and straps to be pulled downwardly to provide deep pressure therapy input. Preferably, each of the first straps is in the form of a continuous loop passing adjacent a shoulder section of the top and with the lower end of each loop adapted for passing under a respective foot of the child; in this way, upwardly directed forces are generated to give upward pressure and proprioceptive input.  
           [0014]    In further preferred forms, the top has a pair of flexible, stretchable second straps likewise extending below the lower margin of the top with each second strap being of a length for selective coupling with a respective one of the child&#39;s knees when the child is in a tall kneeling position; these second straps are also configured to cause the top strap to be pulled downwardly in this orientation. The second straps are likewise in the form of continues loops which pass adjacent a shoulder section and with the lower end of the loops adapted for coupling with the child&#39;s knees, to generated upwardly forces. Finally, the top also includes a third pair of flexible, stretchable, loop-type lateral straps each selectively extensible in opposed lateral directions beyond the side sections of the top and grasped by the child. These lateral straps when extended cause the top to be pulled in corresponding lateral directions, creating resistance against the child&#39;s hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder joints and coordinating muscles.  
           [0015]    The front and rear panels of the top are preferably provided with fanciful theme decorations thereon, such as insects (e.g. beetles), aquatic animals with fins, scales and eyes, animals having horns, ears, noses, eyes and tails, royalty with crowns, and wands, workers such as firemen, policemen, mail carriers, construction workers and cowboys, and shapes, colors and textures of various types (squares, circles, triangles, ovals and the like). Furthermore, in order to provide a further measure of deep pressure input, the front and back panels of the top are provided with pockets which receive weights of various sizes.  
           [0016]    The preferred apparel also includes a cape to be worn over the top with the cape having a neckpiece and a pair of opposed, outwardly extending wing sections, the latter each having a handhold. The outer surface of the cape is equipped with differently manipulable objects which can be grasped and used by the child, in order to provide fine motor development. The outer surface of the cape is also preferably decorated in a manner corresponding to the decorations provided on the apparel top  
           [0017]    Finally, the therapy apparel includes headgear which is stretchable and equipped with a chin strap so that the headgear may be drawn tightly around the child&#39;s head. The headgear further has a plurality of different, fanciful accouterments each attachable to the exterior surface of the headgear at the discretion of the child. For this purpose, a headgear preferably has a central panel and opposed side panels, with stretchable fabric interconnecting the panels; the outer surface of the panels, and the corresponding ends of the accouterments, have mating hook and loop Velcro® fabric sections.  
           [0018]    The therapy apparel of the invention allows full body movement by the child to facilitate participation in all occupational activities and use of occupational/physical therapy equipment. Moreover, the apparel provides opportunities for active proprioceptive input, allows for passive and deep pressure proprioceptive input, promotes use of equipment to provide vestibular input and generates desirable tactile input. Use of the therapy apparel promotes gross, fine and perceptual motor skills along with motor planning up to three stages, and enhances transitions without behavior resistance from the child between activities, thus aiding in the wearer&#39;s self-organization and attention to task. Finally, the apparel meets the play needs of the child, with structures and forms revolving around play themes favored by children. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front pictorial view of a child wearing the preferred therapy apparel of the invention, shown with the child extending the cape and with the stretchable foot straps of the top in an extended condition coupled with the child&#39;s feet;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a rear pictorial view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the outer surface of the cape and features of the headgear;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred therapy apparel top;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the apparel top, shown during use thereof via phantom lines;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the preferred cape forming a part of the apparel, viewing the outer surface thereof;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the preferred headgear, with various of the attachable accouterments disposed about the outer surface of the headgear;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a weight adapted to be used with the top; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a front view of interior portions of the apparel top, with parts broken away to illustrate the attachment of the straps to the top.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    Turning now to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, therapy apparel broadly referred to by the numeral  10  is provided, which is worn by a child  12 . Broadly speaking, the apparel  10  includes a sleeveless fabric top  14  to be worn over the shoulders and trunk of the child  12 , a fabric cape  16  and a flexible, close-fitting headgear  18 .  
         [0028]    In more detail, the top  14  (see FIG. 3) includes a pair of upper padded raglan shoulder sections  20 ,  22  with a neckhole  24  therebetween, and a pair of depending front and rear panels  26 ,  28  depending from the shoulder sections  20 ,  22 . A pair of large arm holes  30 ,  32  are formed below the shoulder sections  20 ,  22 , with respective side sections  34 ,  36  below the corresponding arm holes. The panels  26 ,  28  and the side sections  34 ,  36  form a continuous lower margin  38  as shown.  
         [0029]    The entire top  14  is constructed to have a lining  40  formed of appropriately sewn-together fabric (e.g., cotton spandex knit), an interlining to internally organize the straps (polyester knit interfacing), as well as a fabric exterior  42  which is likewise sewn-together. The fabric exterior  42  is formed using any desired fabric such as gold spandex, and is adorned with fanciful theme decorations, such as a “beetle” design on the front and rear panels. In addition, a series of openings are provided in the fabric  42  for receipt of stretchable straps which extend between the outer fabric exterior  42  and the lining  40 . In particular, lower slit openings  44  are provided in the front and rear panels adjacent margin  38 , along with upper slit openings  46  on opposite sides of each shoulder section  20 ,  22 . Elongated lateral slits  48  are provided on the front and rear panels adjacent the arm holes  30 ,  32 . Finally, somewhat shorter lateral slits  50  are formed in the side sections  34 ,  36 .  
         [0030]    The slits  44 - 50  accommodate a total of three pairs of elongated, continuous-loop stretchable straps formed of elastic, which extend through corresponding channels in the top which are interlined with polyester knit interfacing. Specifically, a first pair of leg straps  52  extend through the slits  44  and  46 , so that the upper ends of the straps  52  overly the corresponding shoulder sections  20 ,  22  and extend below margin  38 . As illustrated, each of the straps  52  has a short, flexible elastic segment  53  adjacent the lower end thereof, defining corresponding foot-receiving openings  53   a . A second set of somewhat shorter knee straps  54  are threaded through the slits  44  and  46  but lie within the confines of the longer leg straps  52 . In the preferred embodiment, the straps  52  have a hanging length of about 27½ inches when relaxed, whereas the knee straps  54  have a relaxed hanging length of about 20½ inches. A hold-down strap  55  is secured at the lower margin side in order to hold straps  52  and  54  when not in use.  
         [0031]    A pair of upper and lower lateral continuous loop straps  56 ,  58  are also supported by the top  14 , and in the illustrated embodiment have a relaxed length of 23 inches. As illustrated, the upper strap  56  extends through the arcuate slits  48 , whereas the lower strap  58  passes through the slits  50 . A hold down strap  60  is secured to the top  14  at the lower sections of armholes  30 ,  32  in order to hold straps  56  and  58  in place when not in use. The hold down straps  60  are selectively releasable via hook and loop (Velcro®) material respectively secured to the inner surface of the straps  60  and the outer fabric of the top  14 .  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the interlining  41  includes pieces  41   a - 41   c  preferably formed of polyester knit interfacing which are attached to lining  40 . The upright pieces  41   a  and  41   b  extend from the shoulder regions downwardly towards margin  38  and are sewn with stitching  51  to define corresponding open-ended strap channels  61   a  and  61   b  which receive the straps  52  and  54  (straps  54  are not shown in FIG. 8). The piece  41   c  overlies the pieces  41   a  and  41   b  and is attached by stitching  62  defining upper and lower open-ended, lateral channels  62   a  and  62   b  which respectively receive straps  56  and  58 . Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that the rear panel of the lining  40  is also equipped with interlining as shown in FIG. 8, so that the loop straps  57 - 58  are supported front and rear.  
         [0033]    Each of the front and rear panels  26 ,  28  of top  14  is equipped with a pair of side-by-side open top pockets  63  which are designed to receive weights  64 . Such weights  64  preferably correspond with the fanciful theme of the surface decoration of the top  14 . For example, in the case of the “beetle” theme, the weights  64  would be in the form of baby bugs having a surface decoration including fabric “wings” as well as extensible “feelers” (not shown). The weights  64  may be provided in different sizes (e.g. ¼ and ½ pound) are preferably formed of fabric and are filled with metal pellets or other weighting material.  
         [0034]    The overall apparel  10  further includes a fabric cape  16  having an exterior fabric surface  66  and an inner lining surface  68 . Again, the exterior surface  66  is advantageously consistent in its design with the fanciful theme of top  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, this exterior surface would have a similar “beetle” design along the central portion of the cape outer surface. In more detail, the cape  16  has a central neckpiece  70  made up of a pair of selectively interconnectable straps  72 ,  74  provided with matable hook and loop fabric pieces  76 . In addition, the cape has a central section  78  as well as outwardly extending wing sections  80  and  82 . The inner surface  68  of the cape has a pair of hand holds  84  on the wing sections  80 ,  82  which can be grasped by the child to extend the cape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner lining of the cape has a pair of Velcro® straps designed to mate with corresponding Velcro® straps  83  provided on the shoulder sections  20 ,  22  of top  14 .  
         [0035]    The outer fabric surface  66  of the cape  16  is also provided with differently manipulable objects which can be manipulated and used by the child. Specifically, the central section  78  has a zippered pocket  86  as well as an adjacent button-closed pocket  88 . The wing section  80  has a lacing assembly  90  made up of a pair of elongated fabric sections  92  provided with eyelets  94 ; a lacing  96  is threaded through the eyelets  94  and conventionally knotted. The wing section  82  on the other hand has a zipper assembly  98  made up of a pair of fabric sections  100  interconnected by an elongated separating zipper  102 .  
         [0036]    The headgear  18  is designed as a close-fitting head covering and includes a pair of padded side panels  104  and a padded central panel  106 . The panels  104 - 106  are formed of padded fabric with the exterior surfaces thereof formed of Velcro® loop material. A pair of elongated, stretchable elastic sections  108  interconnect the central panel  106  and side panels  104 , so as to allow a stretch fit on the head of a child. A chin strap  110  having a mating Velcro(t outer end  112  extends between the side panels  104  and allows the headgear to be drawn tightly around the child&#39;s head.  
         [0037]    The headgear  18  is also provided with a plurality of different, fanciful accouterments  114  each having a base  116  formed of mating Velcro® fabric, allowing the respective accouterments to be attached to any desired point on the panels  104  or  106 , at the discretion of the child. The accouterments  114  can be of virtually any appropriate configuration, consistent with the fanciful decorations on the top  14  and cape  16 . In the exemplary embodiment, it will be seen that the accouterments  114  include wings  118 , eyes  120 , antennae  122 ,  124  and  126  of various sizes and configurations, and small weighted bugs  128 .  
         [0038]    In use, the therapy apparel is donned by the child, with assistance from the therapist. First, the top  14  is put on, with the therapist selecting appropriate weights  64  for insertion into the pockets  63 . Thereupon, the cape  16  and headgear  18  are donned, with the chin strap of the latter being drawn to ensure that the headgear is in close fitting relationship to the child&#39;s head. The child is then encouraged to decorate the headgear  18  with accouterments  114  at the child&#39;s discretion. This is of course readily accomplished owing to the construction of the accouterments having bases  116  which are attachable to the outer surface of the headgear  18 .  
         [0039]    The headgear  18  provides low level protection and sensory input and integration (tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular). The opportunity to decorate the headgear  18  with accouterments  114  gives motor development opportunities, appeals to the play needs of the child and enhances the opportunity for social interaction.  
         [0040]    Actual observations of children wearing the therapy apparel of the invention demonstrates that the garments enable children to function at a higher attention level and skill level during therapy. One subject had difficulty managing his behavior, organizing himself and staying on task. When wearing the apparel, there was a noticeable improvement in the subject&#39;s behavior, which is believed to have occurred because the elastic straps and/or weights provided the correct amount of arousal, modulation and discrimination, all leading to skill output. Another major benefit was that use of the Bootstraps  52  notably decreased the subject&#39;s toe walking.  
         [0041]    The fanciful design on the apparel promoted the use of vestibular integrating suspended equipment. Several subjects pretended they were “flying” and used suspended swings as flying vehicles. The duration of time the subjects spent in the suspended equipment increased with continued wearing of the therapy apparel.  
         [0042]    A variety of tactile opportunities were provided by the various different fabrics and other different materials used in the construction of the apparel. As the children interacted with the apparel they received tactile input from the elastic straps, hugging the cape  16  to their bodies, throwing the bug weights, placing items in the top and cape pockets, and manipulating the cape&#39;s zippers, button and lacing assembly.  
         [0043]    Fine and perceptual motor skill activity in the subjects increased by interaction with the cape&#39;s fastening system and the zippers, button, button hole, Velcro® sections and lacing. Resistance-free transitions were observed between gross motor and fine motor activities and motor planning was promoted by using the cape to store fine motor activities. The subjects planned activities retrieved the objects for the activities, stored objects in the cape&#39;s pockets, participated in gross motor activity and then removed the objects from the cape&#39;s pockets for fine motor activity. Using the top and cape pockets promoted smooth transitions and organization of the wearer.  
         [0044]    The play needs of the wearers were satisfied with the “bug superhero” theme, and the apparel stimulated the desire to engage in imaginative play while also allowing the therapist to incorporate therapy goal activities.