As an occupational therapist for children with sensory issues, I’m always on the lookout for new tools to help my patients.
When I first heard about sensory body sock Lycra, I’ll admit – I was skeptical.
A giant stretchy sock? How could that help kids with sensory processing challenges? But when I saw the joy on my patient’s faces as they climbed into their new body socks, I became a believer!
The first time 5-year-old Katie put on her bright green body sock, she had the biggest smile on her face.
This little girl who usually couldn’t sit still was suddenly enthralled by pulling the fabric up over her arms and legs.
And as she stretched the sock around her, I could see the sensory input calming her.
Other patients of mine who tripped over their own feet regularly started moving with more coordination.
The resistance from the stretchy lycra was giving their senses the feedback they’d been missing.
Now, sensory body socks are a staple in my clinic.
Kids bounce into the room eager to jump into their superhero-like second skins.
Parents share stories of impromptu dance parties and fits of giggles inspired by these magical socks.
And I’ve even seen improvements in my patients’ focus and behavior from using them.
Who knew that something as simple as a stretchy sock could provide such powerful sensory input?
If your child craves movement and pressure or struggles with body awareness, these amazing sensory body socks can transform their sensory experiences.
Keep reading for stories of real children whose lives have changed thanks to this genius tool! I can’t wait for you and your kids to discover the magic.
KEY TAKEAWAY
What is body sock Lycra?
A sensory body sock, crafted from stretchy lycra, is a valuable tool providing proprioceptive input through resistance, aiding individuals—especially sensory seekers—in developing body awareness and spatial understanding.
Introduction to Sensory Body Socks Lycra
Sensory body socks (1) may look like regular socks pulled up over a child’s entire body, but they are so much more than that.
These therapeutic tools are specially designed to provide deep pressure proprioceptive input through stretchy, resistant lycra material.
Proprioception refers to our sense of body position and movement.
Receptors in our muscles and joints send signals to the brain about where our body is in space.
Many children with sensory processing disorders or autism spectrum disorders have poor proprioceptive processing.
They crave input but don’t register it effectively.
This leads to poor coordination, fidgeting, tripping, and difficulty manipulating objects like pencils or spoons.
Sensory body socks provide the needed input through compression, resistance and stretching.
As your child climbs into a sensory sock, the stretchy fabric hugs their body all over like a comfy second skin.
This creates a gentle squeeze that activates proprioceptors throughout their muscles and joints.
The compression is calming and organizing for the sensory system.
Next, your child can stretch and move within the sock, working against the resistant fabric.
This engages their muscles and challenges their balance and body awareness.
The more they move, the more sensory feedback their brain receives through the sock.
With practice, sensory body socks can actually help retrain the nervous system to register and respond appropriately to proprioceptive input.
Over time, your child may start moving with better coordination and control.
Fidgety behavior and sensory cravings often decrease as well.
So while they look like snuggly socks, sensory body socks provide so much deep pressure proprioceptive input that they can improve focus, behavior, motor skills and more!
This simple tool unlocks your child’s potential to interact with the world.
If you are curious whether sensory socks can help your kiddos sleep or not, check out the article.
Target Audience and Benefits
Parents of children with sensory processing challenges can benefit enormously from using sensory body socks.
These super-stretchy sensory tools (2) boost body awareness, self-regulation and motor skills through deep pressure proprioceptive input.
Sensory body socks are designed to be worn by kids of all sizes and ages.
Babies as young as 9 months old can begin wearing these breathable, skin-tight lycra socks to receive calming compression.
Use them during tummy time or fussy periods to soothe your infant.
As toddlers grow, upgrade to larger children’s sizes.
Preschoolers and elementary kids will love romping and stretching the socks during playtime.
The resistance builds proprioception and strength.
Sensory body socks make perfect wearable blankets for snuggle time too.
Beyond childhood, teens and adults with sensory issues or disabilities benefit from sensory body socks as well.
All ages enjoy the calming pressure and movement freedom these SecondSkin socks provide.
Various Sensory Inputs Offered
Beyond proprioceptive input, sensory body socks provide a range of sensory experiences to benefit kids.
The stretchy lycra material offers compression, resistance, texture and more all in one tool.
The tight stretch creates deep pressure that is calming and organizing for the nervous system.
Kids feel secure and focused in the gentle hug of the sock.
The compression can help prepare them for daily activities and transitions.
As children move and play in a body sock, they receive powerful vestibular input.
The resistance when stretching and bending challenges their balance and spatial awareness.
This boosts vestibular development.
Of course, the tactile input from the smooth, slick fabric is also therapeutic.
Kids learn to tolerate and even enjoy light texture against their skin.
This helps decrease tactile defensiveness.
With so much sensory input packed in, sensory body socks provide a mini sensory diet in a single tool.
Convenient and engaging, they can be used daily at home, school or therapy to help kids get the input they crave in a constructive way.
Additional Advantages of Body Socks
Beyond the sensory benefits, sensory body socks offer many other perks that make them a top tool for parents and therapists.
Made from breathable materials, body socks allow movement and activity while preventing overheating.
Kids stay comfortable in them for extended wear.
The slick fabric makes dressing and undressing for therapies or daily routines easier.
Body socks can be worn over diapers, clothing or right on the skin based on your child’s needs.
Socks feature flatlock seams to prevent irritation and are designed for safety.
No detachable parts or loose threads reduce risks.
Adult supervision is still recommended when using them.
Fun prints and colors make body socks engaging sensory toys.
Kids delight in choosing their own sock to personalize the experience.
This builds compliance with therapeutic activities.
Affordable pricing and machine washability make sensory body socks a budget-friendly sensory tool.
Use them daily to get the most value from your investment.
With so many advantages, it’s easy to see why sensory body socks are top choices for parents and therapists seeking engaging, effective sensory supports!
Guidelines for Introducing to Children
When first introducing sensory body socks, take it slow so kids can adjust to the new sensory experiences.
For some, the compression may feel alarming at first.
Follow these tips for smooth integration:
Explain how the socks work and what they will feel before having your child try one.
Talk up the “big hug” and calming squeeze effect.
Offer joints compression with bands first if needed to acclimate them to pressure.
Avoid scratchy Velcro closures.
For sensory avoiders, begin with the socks over clothing and work up to direct skin contact as tolerated.
Go at their pace.
Start with just arms in the socks, then legs, then full body as they accept the input.
Keep sessions brief (5-10 mins) initially.
Encourage movement and deep breathing in the socks to reduce anxiety.
Offer choices like squeezing into a tight space vs.
stretching out.
Watch for signs of sensory overload like agitation or avoidance.
Immediately remove the socks and take a break if needed.
Patience and praise will build trust.
With positive introductions, most kids learn to love the feeling of climbing into their body sock cocoons.
The socks become a portable sense of calm.
Integrating Body Socks into Daily Life
Once your child enjoys wearing their sensory body sock, look for ways to integrate it into your regular routines:
Use socks for “Brain Breaks” during schoolwork to refresh focus.
The movement releases pent up energy and re-centers attention.
Wear socks during transitions that are typically frustrating like getting dressed, commuting or errands.
The proprioceptive feedback is grounding.
Put socks on while watching TV or before bedtime to channel fidgety behavior into productive stretching.
Allow socks during story time or play time to improve body awareness,spatial processing and motor skills through imaginative poses.
Send younger kids to daycare in socks under clothing so they can benefit all day.
Provide extras for nap time soothing.
Older kids can wear fitted sensory socks as base layers under uniforms or outfits.
Making sensory body socks part of your daily routine magnifies their incredible benefits for sensory processing, coordination, attention and more!
Top-rated Sensory Body Socks
When choosing a sensory body sock for your child, quality matters.
Look for design features that deliver safe, therapeutic compression and accommodates their needs.
Here are some parent-approved top options:
The Harkla Snap Closure Sensory Body Sock provides customized deep pressure with its adjustable snap closures.
Kids can choose the level of input they need.
Zaky Hand Molds offer gentle pressure for infants if full-body socks feel overwhelming initially.
The mitt design is easy to integrate into play or naps.
Lycra Body Socks by FITNIN are made of soft, breathable fabric.
They suit sensory avoiders who need gentle pressure.
Plus over 20 color choices!
Squease SnugVest is a huggable compression vest.
It’s less confining than full body coverage for cautious kids easing into pressure input.
With thoughtful design elements, these top-rated body socks deliver just the right input to soothe and reorganize kids’ sensory systems.
Expanding Sensory Tool Options
While body socks are amazing, kids benefit from a diverse sensory diet.
Rotate other proprioceptive tools with socks for well-rounded input:
Weighted blankets or lap pads offer deep pressure without confinement.
Use for cozy reading time.
Therapy balls and discs add bouncing, rocking or balancing to engage muscles and joints.
Vibrating massagers like backrollers stimulate proprioceptors through vibration.
Use during downtime.
Heavy work like animal walks, wall push ups or laundry basket carries builds body awareness through muscle resistance.
Oral tools like chewy tubes and vibrating teethers address the mouth’s proprioceptive needs too.
A toolbox of diverse sensory equipment ensures you can meet your child’s unique sensory needs day to day.
With the right tools, you’ll help them master critical physical and cognitive skills.
Conclusion
By now, I hope you’re as excited about sensory body socks as my patients are! To recap, here are my top tips for making the most of this wonderful sensory tool:
- Let your child pick their color and style – making it fun and personalized boosts engagement.
- Focus on movement play at first before working up to sitting activities. The input is most powerful when they’re bouncing, stretching, and romping around.
- Practice putting socks on over the body sock to improve coordination. As their body awareness improves, keep challenging those motor skills!
- Use the body sock frequently, even for just 15 minutes per day. Consistency is key to retraining the sensory system.
- And above all, laugh and play together! Sensory socks turn therapeutic exercises into a joyful experience.
I hope these stories and tips have shown how genius yet simple sensory body socks can be.
If your child struggles with sensory processing, coordination or attention, give them a try today! See the incredible changes in their confidence, focus andmotor skills.
This affordable tool brings fun and function together to help our kids thrive.
References
- https://jmccentre.ca/ckuploads/files/AODA%20Teacher%2002_Body_Socks.pdf
- https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-tools-school
Related Articles
- https://soul-socks.com/sensory-stretchy-body-sock/
- https://soul-socks.com/body-sock-autism/
- https://soul-socks.com/can-you-sleep-in-a-sensory-body-sock/
