SMITH, Jeremy, John (Glenmore, Chapel Lane Twelveheads,Trur, Corwall TR4 8SJ, GB)
SMITH, Kathryn Leigh (Glenmore, Chapel Lane Twelveheads,Trur, Corwall TR4 8SJ, GB)
SMITH, Jeremy, John (Glenmore, Chapel Lane Twelveheads,Trur, Corwall TR4 8SJ, GB)
CLAIMS
1. A garment to be worn by a subject, the garment being formed partly or wholly from a stretchable fabric to provide a resistance to movement of the subject when the garment is being worn, the garment comprising: a body portion for accommodating the body of the subject, the body portion comprising an opening for the head of the subject, an opening for each hand of the subject and an opening for each foot of the subject; the body portion having an interior having a boundary defined by the fabric of the garment, when the garment is being worn the boundary extending from the hands to the lower legs of the subject; wherein the subject is free to move throughout the interior of the body portion of the garment, when the garment is being worn.
2. The garment according to claim 1 , wherein the body portion is entirely of a stretchable fabric.
3. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the material of the body portion is spandex or elastane.
4. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion comprises an opening through which the subject can extend their head.
5. The garment according to claim 4, further comprising a cover for the head separate from the body portion.
6. The garment according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body portion extends over the head of the subject, when the garment is being worn, the opening in the body portion for the head of the subject allowing the face of the subject to be exposed.
7. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein each opening in the body portion for a hand of the subject is large enough to allow the entire hand to extend from within the body portion.
8. The garment according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein each opening for a hand of the subject is large enough to allow one or more fingers to be extended from within the garment, but does not allow the entire hand to be so extended.
9. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein each opening for a foot of the subject is provided with a strap to extend around the foot, when the garment is in use.
10. A method of treating a subject with a behavioural disorder, the method comprising providing a garment, the garment being of an elasticated fabric such that the subject, when wearing the garment, is provided with a sensory feedback as a result of their movements within the garment.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the garment is a garment as defined in any of claims 1 to 9.
12. The method according to either of claims 10 or 11 , wherein the subject is a sufferer of Fragile X syndrome or foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
13. A garment substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. The use of a garment according to any of claims 1 to 9 or 13 in the treatment of a subject with behavioural disorders. |
THERAPEUTIC GARMENT AND METHOD OF PROVIDING THERAPY USING THE
SAME
The present invention relates to a garment for use by the wearer in creative and expressive movement, therapy and education. The garment is of particular use in the provision of therapy to persons suffering from emotional trauma and/or problems associated with emotional development. The garment is especially, but not exclusively, intended for use by children. The present invention also relates to the use of the garment in treatment of a subject. In addition, the present invention relates to a therapeutic method employing the garment.
Having a subject express emotions and feelings through movement is a major aspect of the assistance and treatment of a wide range of emotional disorders. This is particularly the case when the subject is a child or young person. Such a person may not be able to verbally express feelings and emotions and expressive movement provides an alternative mechanism by which feelings and emotions can be communicated.
Aids for use in assisting subjects to express their emotions and feelings through movement are very limited. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved means for allowing such expression, with the minimum of negative emotions, such as embarrassment and peer pressure, when working in a group. Such an aid would be of use in assisting the development of children, for example in schools, and in assisting adults with developmental difficulties and problems.
Further, there are a number of conditions of both children and adults that leave the sufferer with sensory processing disorders and/or emotional regulatory difficulties. One such condition is foetal alcohol syndrome, a condition arising in a person whose mother consumed significant or excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. Foetal alcohol syndrome (hereafter 'FAS') is a significant and growing problem, believed to affect up to 1 in 700 babies born in the United States of America, for example. FAS is characterised by a range of physical and psychological conditions. The psychological conditions manifest themselves in such
symptoms as impaired hand-eye coordination, clumsiness, awkward gait and sensory integration dysfunction. In terms of behaviour, sufferers of FAS exhibit poor personal boundaries, intrusive behaviour, poor anger management, poor impulse control. Further, sufferers experience many symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Treatment of FAS often includes behavioural interventions. However, behavioural interventions are often not successful, particularly in the long term.
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder that gives rise to behavioural conditions, including stereotypic movements, atypical social development, leading to the sufferer experiencing difficulties in integrating socially in society. In many cases, the sufferer may experience symptoms very similar to the range of symptoms associated with autism. There is currently no cure for the syndrome. Treatment of sufferers typically involves behavioural interventions.
There is a need for an improvement in the treatment of subjects suffering from behavioural disorders. In particular, it would be very helpful if an improvement in the manner of treating such conditions as FAS and Fragile X syndrome.
US 4,220,299 discloses a suit in the form of an airfoil for use in skiing. The suit comprises a tight fitting body portion to cover the users body. The suit comprises a pair of pockets, in which are stowed a pair of wings, which may be deployed to extend between the legs, torso and arms of the wearer. The wings, when deployed, are alleged to provide advantages to a skier. There is no suggestion or indication that the suit could have any application or offer any advantage in providing therapy to person suffering from behavioural or emotional difficulties or abnormalities.
US 4,759,082 discloses a garment for small children and babies. The garment comprises a body portion having a top, a bottom and two major sides. The body portion encloses at least the torso of the user and is provided with openings to accommodate the extremities of the child, in particular an opening for the head, an opening for each arm and a single opening for the legs, should the child wish to extend their limbs from within the body portion. The garment is intended for active day wear by the child, as well as being suitable for use during sleep. US 4,759,082
discloses that the child may extend its legs through the single opening and run to some limited extent. Overall, however, the garment serves to constrain the movement of the child wearing it. Such a garment would not be suitable for use in assisting a sufferer of behavioural or emotional disorders. Rather, the garment, by being so restrictive, would likely enhance or reinforce certain conditions, such as shyness or introverted behaviour.
More recently, US 2002/0188999 discloses a therapy apparel for children diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction. The apparel comprises a fabric top to be worn over the shoulders and torso of the child, a cape and close fitting headgear. The top is provided with a set of fanciful themed decorations. A plurality of straps and handholds allow the child to spread the cape during imaginative play. The cape and headgear are both provided with themed decorations. A review of US 2002/0188999 shows the garment to be very complex in construction and by no means simple for the child to put on, wear and operate. This would serve to disorient the child and would likely increase their anxiety levels, in particular those children with significant behavioural and emotional issues, such as those arising in severe conditions such as FAS and Fragile X syndrome.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a garment to be worn by a subject, the garment being formed partly or wholly from a stretchable fabric to provide a resistance to movement of the subject when the garment is being worn, the garment comprising: a body portion for accommodating the body of the subject, the body portion comprising an opening for the head of the subject, an opening for each hand of the subject and an opening for each foot of the subject; the body portion having an interior having a boundary defined by the fabric of the garment, when the garment is being worn the boundary extending from the hands to the lower legs of the subject; wherein the subject is free to move throughout the interior of the body portion of the garment, when the garment is being worn.
The garment is formed at least partly from a fabric that is stretchable, while providing a resistance to the movement of the person wearing the garment. Preferably, the entire garment is composed of the aforesaid material. Any stretchable and movement-resistant material may be used. A particularly preferred material is a fabric comprising fibres of a long chain copolymer of polyurethane and polyethylene glycol, in particular a long chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented polyurethane. Particularly suitable fabric materials are spandex and elastane, commercially available under the trade mark Lycra™, for example.
The fabric of the garment is sufficiently stretchable, so as to allow complete freedom of movement of the subject wearing the garment. However, the nature of the fabric is also to provide a resistance to movement, such that the wearer experiences a pressure on their limbs when moving and adopting positions different from the normal or rest position of the garment, thus providing the wearer with a sensory feedback to movement.
The garment is shaped to provide a general, rounded outline and not to follow the contours or outline of the body of the subject. This feature is particularly advantageous in therapeutic applications of the garment, allowing the wearer to hide or disguise their outline. This has been found to encourage the wearer to use movement of their body as a form of expression. With many of the aforementioned conditions, while the subject is not able or willing to express their thoughts and feelings verbally, they can be quickly and easily feel comfortable with expression by way of movement using the garment of the present invention.
In this respect, the garment comprises a body portion to extend over and cover the torso and limbs of the wearer. The body portion has openings therein through which the wearer may extend their limbs. In particular, the body portion comprises an opening through which the subject extends their head. Further, the body portion comprises an opening for each hand. The opening may allow the wearer to extend their entire hand out of the body portion, such that the opening extends around the wrist of the subject. Alternatively, the opening may be smaller and allow the wearer to extend one or more fingers from within the body portion, the
remainder of the hand being within the body portion. This arrangement is preferred, as it allows the garment to be held in position over the hand of the subject, thus keeping the garment in position on the arm of the wearer. Alternatively, to prevent the body portion riding up the arm of the wearer, one or more loops to extend over the hand or fingers may be provided.
Similarly, the body portion comprises a separate opening for each foot of the subject, through which the subject may extend their foot or lower leg. Preferably, each such opening is positioned to allow just the foot of the subject to extend from within the body portion. Each opening is preferably provided with a loop to extend around the foot of the wearer, for example in the form of a stirrup, to keep the garment extended and in position on the legs and close to or over the foot of the wearer.
When being worn, the garment provides an outline that extends substantially directly from the wrists of the user to the neck of the user, such that the outline of the subject's arms, shoulders, etc. are not visible. Similarly, the lower portion of the subject's body is similarly masked, with the garment extending substantially directly to the lower part of the subject's body, most preferably to their lower legs or ankles.
Each opening of the body portion of the garment may be provided with an elasticated band, so as to help keep the garment in place on the subject.
In one embodiment, the body portion of the garment has an opening extending around the neck of the wearer, with the head of the wearer extending fully from within the interior of the body portion. In such a case, the garment may be provided with a hood or other covering for the head of the subject, which may be removably attached to the body portion in the region of the opening for the head.
Alternatively, the body portion of the garment may be formed to extend over the head of the subject, but have an opening for at least the major portion, most preferably the entire, face of the subject.
The garment may be provided with a means for covering the face of the subject. Such means may include a flap of fabric that may be fastened over the face of the wearer, to cover some or all of the subject's face. Alternatively, the garment is provided with an opening for the face of the subject and a peak extending forwards from above the opening. The peak is of a shape and of sufficient size that it can be used to obscure or mask the face of the subject, for example by having the subject incline their head towards their chest or shoulder.
In general, the garment is sufficiently large as to allow the wearer complete freedom of movement, in particular providing a significant volume or space between the wearer's body and the inner surface of the garment, while providing a measure of restraint and resistance to the movements and motion. This resistance to movement provides the wearer with significant sensory feedback to their movements, which ordinarily they would not feel. In particular, in the case of a garment that is made entirely from an elastic, resilient material, the sensory feedback occurs throughout substantially the entire range of movements. This, in turn, allows the garment to be so effective in the treatment and therapy of subjects.
The garment should be sized for the subject to avoid a trip or fall. In particular, the interior of the body portion has a boundary defined by the fabric of the garment, which interior extends from the hands of the subject to the lower legs, preferably the feet of the subject. The interior of the body portion is available to be occupied and moved through by the wearer. In this respect, the garment of the present invention is distinguished from prior art garments, which employ close- or tight-fitting body portions that closely or exactly follow the outline of the torso of the subject.
The garment allows an individual subject to conceal themselves in a nondescript, general garment, thus freeing them to express themselves through motion and movement. The garment is particularly useful in encouraging subjects to express emotions and feelings. This may be augmented by an appropriate selection of colour of the garment. For example, several garments may be differently coloured, with each colour being assigned a particular feeling or emotion. The subject wearing
a garment of a given colour may then express the feeling or emotion associated with that colour.
The garment may have its outer surface of a single colour or may be multicoloured, as required by the subject.
The outer surface of the garment is most preferably smooth. Alternatively, the outer surface of the garment may be wholly or in part textured, for example comprise forms, such as protrusions and the like, to stimulate the senses of the subject wearing the garment and others. In particular, outer surface of the garment may comprise forms that stimulate the sense of touch. Such forms are known in the art and recognised in the field of sensory stimulation.
Aspects of particular embodiments of the garment of the present invention include the following:
• To create a link between a colour and a particular emotion/feeling;
• To use the garment as a costume in order to 'dress up 1 as that particular emotion/feeling; • Being contained within a safe structure (the garment) in order to express the emotion/feeling;
• To enable the subject to explore their emotions/feelings through their creative movement and play;
• To give 'permission' to the subject to express him/her self and how they feel; • To allow experimentation of other ways of feeling through taking on the role of the colour and the emotion/feeling it represents;
• To be suitable for both individual and group work;
• To encourage subjects to work together as a team - 'if we do this we will feel this'; • To be used indoors and outdoors.
Benefits and advantages of the garment of the present invention include the following:
• Aids social and emotional development;
• Increased self-esteem and feelings of self-worth;
• Develops trust within self and in the environment; • Builds trusting relationships;
• Peer group inclusion (everyone feels like me sometimes);
• Increases right to left brain activity through the creative process of improvisation;
• Helps parents/carers to understand the emotional needs of the individual without the individual being under pressure to explain 'in words'. This will give parents/carers more confidence in meeting those needs;
• Provides support for parents/carers;
• Aids cognitive development through encouraging problem solving.
The garment of the present invention may be used in the therapy and assistance of any person. Particular subjects for which the garment is especially beneficial are as follows:
• Pre-school children;
• Children in special needs schools;
• Children of primary school age;
• Children in foster or residential care;
• Children with emotional development problems; • Children and young people with behavioural problems;
• Children and young people excluded from mainstream education;
• Children and young people who have suffered traumatic experiences;
• Young adults with learning disabilities.
It has been found that the garment of the present invention is particularly effective in treating subjects, in particular children and young adults, experiencing
behavioural difficulties and problems. In particular, the garment is of significant use in the treatment of subjects suffering from Fragile X syndrome and FAS.
A single garment may be employed with a given subject. However, in one preferred embodiment, a plurality of garments according to the present invention are provided, for example to allow one or more subjects to select one garment from a range of different garments. The plurality of garments may differ from each other, for example in colour and/or texture. When a plurality of garments is to be offered or used, they are conveniently provided in a suitable storage means, such as a box or the like, from which a selection may be made.
The present invention also provides the use of a garment as hereinbefore described in the treatment of a subject, preferably in assisting a subject with the expression of feelings and emotions. In particular, the present invention also provides a method of treating subjects experiencing behavioural difficulties, in which the subject is provided with and wears a garment as hereinbefore described. The method is particularly useful in the assistance of subjects suffering from Fragile X syndrome and FAS.
A further aspect of the present invention also relates to a therapeutic method comprising providing a subject with a garment as hereinbefore described and having the subject express an emotion or feeling through movement and/or motion while wearing the garment.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a representation of a person wearing one embodiment of a garment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view through the garment of Figure 1 to show the interior of the garment.
Referring to the figures, there is shown a garment, generally indicated as 2, being worn by a subject 4. The garment is formed from an elastic material, in particular Lycra™, commercially available. The garment consists of this material, which provides the entire garment with an elastic, resilient property, such that the wearer experiences a resistance to their movements when extending one or more portions of the garment from within.
The garment 2 comprises a body portion 6 covering the torso, arms and legs of the subject 4. The body portion 6 has an opening 8 through which the subject 4 extends their head, such that the opening extends around the neck of the subject. A collar 10 of the elastic material is provided around the opening 8, so as to extend around the neck of the wearer. The body portion 6 has two further openings 12a and 12b, disposed laterally of the opening 8, through which the wearer can extend all or part of a hand. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the openings 12a and 12b are sized to allow one or two fingers to be extended from within the body portion 6, the remainder of the hand being held within the body portion. This serves to hold the body portion extended along the arms of the subject 4 and attached to the hands of the subject. It will be noted that the outline of the body portion of the garment does not follow the arms of the subject and the body portion does not have clearly recognisable arm portions or 'sleeves', as with conventional garments.
The body portion 6 has two further openings 14a and 14b, one each for the feet of the subject 4. As shown in the figures, each foot of the subject extends through an opening 14a and 14b, such that the opening extends around the ankle of the subject. A loop 16 of elastic material is provided at each opening 14a, 14b, and extends around the foot of the user in the form of a stirrup, to hold the garment extended along the legs of the wearer. It will be noted that, while an opening 14a, 14b is provided for each foot of the subject, the outline of the garment does not extend along the legs of the subject a significant distance such that the garment does not have clearly recognisable leg portions.
A separate hood 18 is provided to cover the head of the subject 4. The hood 18 is worn in conjunction with the garment. In the embodiment shown, the hood is not attached to the body portion of the garment. However, the hood may be
removably attached using any known means, for example a zip fastener, hook and loop fastener, buttons, studs or the like.
In Figure 1, there is shown the exterior of the garment, as worn by a subject. As can be seen, the general outline of the subject is masked and disguised by the outline of the garment. Figure 2 shows the garment of Figure 1 in cross-section, showing the interior of the body portion with the subject visible. The body portion 6 of the garment can be considered to have an interior 20, that is defined and bounded by the fabric of the body portion. As can be seen, the interior 20 extends well beyond the body of the subject 4 and provides space within the garment through which the body of the subject may be moved. As the subject moves and stretches their limbs and body, the garment, being entirely flexible, will move. However, the elastic, resilient nature of the material of the garment provides the wearer with a resistance to their movement, that is a form of sensory feedback to their movements.
Finally, an opening 22 is provided in the lower hem of the body portion 6 of the garment, as viewed in the figures. The opening is provided with an elasticated hem, such that the overall elasticity of the garment is maintained, but a sufficiently large opening can be provided to allow the subject to put on and remove the garment.
The garment of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a set of information, such as written instructions, concepts or ideas relating to feelings and emotions. The information may be presented on any suitable format, for example cards, books, or electronically.
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