Avoid or Buy: Sensory Compression Vest for Autism
Summary: Sensory Compression Vest for Autism
Hi, I'm Sergio, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and my wife Rosa and I run a private practice in San Antonio, Texas. I have seen some kids improve their attention, impulse control, and coordination with sensory compression vests.
Sensory seekers, who move a lot to send signals to their brains, may benefit from the vest's pressure, which sends the same signals without needing as much movement. Out of the 12 kids I work with, 5 were sensory seekers, but only 4 tried the vest and showed improvements.
While some research supports these benefits, more studies are needed. Be cautious if your child is under three, has a G-tube, or seizures, and ensure they stay cool and hydrated. Compression vests are a temporary solution while working on long-term goals. For more details and the vest I recommend, check the link in the description.
Four families I work with were shocked to see their kids improve their attention, impulse control, and coordination while wearing a compression vest. Today, I want to show you, moms and dads, my thought process for using a compression vest so that you can decide if it might help your child.
About Me
Hi, I'm Sergio, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Together with my wife, Rosa, who is a Speech Therapist, we opened our private practice in San Antonio, Texas. We've helped many families, and 80% of the kids we work with have a diagnosis of autism.
What to Expect
To help you make the best decision for your child, I will cover the following:
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Who is this vest for?
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How does a compression vest work?
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What benefits did I see with my patients?
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Is there any research to support these benefits?
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Safety concerns you should consider.
Who Needs a Compression Vest?
Out of the 12 kids with autism I work with, only 5 met the criteria of being sensory seekers. These kids move a lot: they jump, run, spin, and climb. They do this to send more signals to their brain about what their body is doing.
How Does a Compression Vest Work?
Sensory seekers move to send signals to their brain. The idea behind a compression vest is that the pressure from the vest sends those same signals to the brain. This means your child won't have to move as much to get those signals. Even though 5 of my patients met the criteria, one patient refused, so we honored her decision.
Benefits Seen with My Patients with Autism
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Michael (8 years old): Went from copying a few letters before standing up and jumping around to copying full sentences. He also improved his balance on a balance beam.
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David (3 years old): A risk-taker who would jump and climb on anything. After trying the vest, he played more with his toys instead of jumping from the table.
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Jake (6 years old): Had a hard time focusing on toys. With the vest, he zoned in on the toys, allowing us to play together for longer periods.
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Lilly (7 years old): Always on the go, climbing on mom and dad, and running in zigzags. After trying the vest, her posture improved, and she stopped bumping into things.
Is There Research to Support These Benefits?
Technically yes, but it's not a solid yes. Only 44 kids with autism were included in the top three cited research papers. This means we need more research to confirm that compression vests help kids with autism.
Safety Concerns
Don't use a compression vest if your child is under three years old, has a G-tube, or seizures. If they wear the vest while being active, ensure they don't get too hot and drink enough water.
Final Thoughts
A compression vest is a temporary solution. I'm using it while working on long-term goals with fun activities to increase attention, impulse control, and coordination. As a therapist, I know parents need a solution today, not in six months. I hope my experience helps guide your decision. If you want to try the same vest I use with my patients, the link is in the description.