Why do sensory socks affect the brain? As an autism specialist, I have seen firsthand how these special socks can help kids with sensory needs feel more comfortable and in control of their bodies.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Why do sensory socks affect the brain?
Sensory socks have sensory input called deep pressure input or vestibular input, which in turn help control the information received to the brain to avoid sensory overload.
But why is that? What’s going on in the brain when a child wears a sensory sock? In this article, I’ll explore the fascinating connection between sensory socks and the brain.
I created this content to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand how sensory socks work and how they can benefit children with sensory processing disorder.
So let’s jump in and explore the amazing world of sensory socks!
More about Body Sock for Sensory Processing Issues
How Sensory Body Socks Can Help My Children with Sensory Issues
As someone who helps kids with sensory issues (1), I know how tricky it can be for them to do everyday stuff.
Sometimes their brains don’t process sensory input quite right, and that can cause some troubles.
But there’s a cool tool that can help: sensory socks!
These socks are made out of stretchy lycra material that gives kids some nice pressure on their bodies.
That can help their brains better understand the sensory inputs they’re getting, which can make it easier for them to move around and do stuff.
Plus, it can help them feel more in tune with their own bodies and how they move.
Some scientists did a study and found that using sensory socks can help kids with autism spectrum disorder feel better mentally and handle their sensory issues better.
Another study said that using sensory socks during therapy can help kids do more activities and have more fun doing them.
But not every kid will like wearing sensory socks, so it’s important to talk to an occupational therapist first.
They can help figure out if sensory socks are a good fit for your kiddo.
If your child has sensory processing issues, sensory socks might be worth checking out.
They can help give their brains some extra help to understand sensory inputs, which can make moving around and doing stuff easier.
What’s next?
The Benefits of Using Sensory Socks for Body Awareness
Have you ever noticed that your child with sensory challenges seems to struggle with moving around or doing things like buttoning a shirt? Well, there’s something that can help!
They’re called sensory socks and they can be really helpful for kids and grown-ups who have trouble with their senses or sensory sensitivity.
One of the best things about sensory socks is that they give your body a big hug, improving overall mental health and nervous system! This helps you feel more aware of your body and better able to control it.
That means you’ll be better at moving around and doing things like fine motor skills (like picking up small things or fastening buttons).
And if you’re someone who doesn’t like the feeling of certain textures or really bright lights, sensory socks can help make you feel safe and cozy.
Occupational therapists (or OTs for short) often recommend using sensory socks as part of a “sensory diet.” This means doing certain activities that help you get the sensory input you need to feel good.
Children and adults wear socks for sensory purpose can be a really helpful part of this.
To help your child with sensory issues, it’s always a good idea to talk to an OT to figure out if sensory socks are right for you or your child.
They can help you figure out the best way to use them and how often to wear them.
But if your child is having trouble with body awareness or fine motor skills, sensory socks could be a really great solution!
Keep reading…
The Impact of Sensory Socks on Motor Planning Skills
They’re special socks that can help kids who have a hard time with their senses.
As an autism helper, I’ve seen how wearing these socks can help kids improve how they move and control their bodies.
Some research says that wearing sensory socks, which can press on your skin, can help kids feel more aware of their bodies.
This can help them focus better and feel less overwhelmed when they’re doing things.
It can also help them get better at moving and doing things that need careful work, like tying shoes or coloring inside the lines.
Wearing sensory socks can also help with how kids feel different things.
Some kids don’t like certain textures or bright lights.
Sensory socks can help them feel more comfortable and safe when they’re in a new place.
If you’re working with kids who have a hard time with their senses or if your own child has sensory issues, you might want to try using sensory socks.
They can be a good part of a plan to help kids feel more in control of their bodies and do things better.
After that…
Supporting Children with Clothing Sensitivities: Understanding the Proprioceptive and Vestibular Input of Sensory Socks
Sensory socks can be really helpful for people who experience sensory processing disorder (SPD), which is when our brains have trouble making sense of the information we receive from our senses.
For sensory integration therapy, sensory socks can give our bodies two types of sensory input: proprioceptive input and vestibular input.
Proprioceptive input is like a secret message that our muscles and joints send to our brains to let us know where our body is in space.
Vestibular input is like a special code that our inner ear sends to our brain to tell us how we’re moving.
When we wear sensory socks, we get a lot of proprioceptive input because they squeeze our feet and legs.
This helps us know where our body is and how to move around better.
The socks also give us vestibular input because they make us feel a little bit off-balance, which can help us get better at balancing in general.
When we get both types of input together, it can help us feel more calm and focused.
Some people really like the feeling of heavy pressure on their body.
It’s like a big, cozy hug that makes them feel safe and happy.
Other people don’t like it when things touch their skin too lightly, like when they get tickled.
Sensory socks can be good for both types of people because they can give us heavy pressure and light touch at the same time.
Sensory socks are often used by occupational therapists as part of a “sensory diet,” which is a plan to help people get the sensory input they need to feel their best.
This can be especially helpful for people who have trouble with things like balance, coordination, and paying attention.
Overall, sensory socks can be a really cool tool for people who want to have fun and experience sensory input in a new way! Just like how we all have different favorite foods and textures we like to eat, we all have different favorite ways to experience sensory input.
Sensory socks are just one way to explore and enjoy the world with all our nerve endings!
Here comes the next topic…
How Sensory Socks Provide Comfort and Stability for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder
They are a special kind of socks that can help kids who have trouble with their senses.
Sometimes, when we touch things, it can be really overwhelming for our bodies.
Sensory socks can help make touching things feel better for kids who have a hard time with it.
Lots of kids in the United States have trouble with their senses (2).
That means they might not like certain sounds or textures, or they might have a hard time with everyday things like fastening buttons.
Sensory socks can help these kids by giving their bodies a special kind of input called proprioceptive and vestibular input.
That might sound like a big word, but it just means that the socks can help the body understand where it is and how it’s moving.
One of the cool things about sensory socks is that they can help kids who are super sensitive to touch.
For these kids, the gentle pressure of the socks can make them feel more comfortable and safe.
The socks can also help with things like balance and moving around.
But it’s important to remember that sensory socks should be used with the help of an occupational therapist and a symptom checker.
That way, we can make sure the child is using the socks safely and in a way that works for them.
So if you know someone who might benefit from sensory socks, be sure to talk to a grown-up and get some advice.
More on why sensory socks are a good choice for kids with sensory issues.
What’s the bottom line?
Conclusion
Sensory socks can do some amazing things for our bodies and brains! They can help us feel better, move better, and even do better in school.
But using sensory socks is not always easy.
It’s important to talk to a doctor and find a sock that fits just right and feels good.
With the right help and tools, kids with sensory needs can do anything they want in life and be very happy.
References
- https://childmind.org/article/sensory-processing-issues-explained/#:~:text=Sensory%20issues%20are%20problems%20related,throw%20tantrums%20as%20a%20result.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733937/
Related Articles
- https://soul-socks.com/sensory-socks/
- https://soul-socks.com/why-sensory-socks-good/
- https://soul-socks.com/product/body-socks/
I am a highly experienced and dedicated special needs educator with a passion for helping special needs children reach their full potential. With over 10 years of experience in the field, I hold a Masters in Special Education and am a sought-after expert in the field.
In addition to my work as a special needs educator, I also actively write for Soul-Socks.com, a website dedicated to discussing the benefits of sensor body socks. Her articles are insightful and informative, providing readers with valuable information about how sensory experience can help improve the lives of children with special needs.
In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering with local organizations that support special needs children and their families. He is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.