What is compression therapy?
Medical conditions can sometimes change our mental state. Kids with autism spectrum disorder may experience trauma more than those without this developmental disability. Compression clothing offers therapy to these children or anyone on the spectrum.
Compression therapy can help boost blood flow throughout the body to the legs, ankles, and feet. Many health issues can lead to poor circulation. While better blood flow can also benefit mental health conditions like autism, compression garments can provide comfort in other ways. They can soothe individuals when they hear loud noises, feel uneasy in their own skin, or find themselves in stressful situations.
How is compression clothing used for your autistic child?
These garments fit on the body and have an effect similar to massage therapy. The key difference is that they provide a very mild sensation helping the child feel more relaxed in stressful situations. The clothing can also help with fatigue, muscle soreness, and circulation issues. It's best not to use these garments all the time, so they can be effective in specific situations, like a school event that might cause an autistic child to panic. This approach ensures the clothing is used when needed and maintains its effectiveness.
Autistic children like clothing to be:
- Fits
- Often has long sleeves
- Gives a feeling of safety
- Easy to wear
- Soft (But not too soft)
- Labels or other gadgets on clothes bother them
Fabrics that work well for kids with autism:
- Brushed cotton
- Combed cotton
- Avoid mixed materials
- Anything that makes them too warm (Like: man-made fabrics)
- Clothes that let air through
Pressure therapy tools—not just tops and other clothes
Compression therapy involves more than just clothing. You can buy various devices besides shirts and pants. These include stockings, bandages, and inflatable items. People use them in sports or for medical conditions, but some could help your autistic child along with compression clothing.
How much pressure does the therapy provide?
You don't need a prescription for compression shirts. You can buy these over-the-counter clothes to help when your autistic child feels scared or panicky. They all give low-level pressure to make your child feel more at ease. Besides regular compression shirts, you can find compression vests. These are bulkier but still offer basic low-level pressure.
You can find certain compression devices that need a prescription in pharmacies or stores selling medical equipment. For instance, some compression stockings with 20mmHg or more pressure require a doctor's note. Compression weight is measured in millimeters of mercury.
How long should children with autism use compression shirts for?
Kids with autism shouldn't wear compression shirts or vests for more than about an hour. The time depends on how sensitive the upcoming activity is. Vests can be even more useful if the child needs help several times a day, as they can be put on and taken off over regular clothes . As always, check with your family doctor or specialist if you need more guidance.
Sensations for autistic children and children with hypersensitivities
Autism often leads to a child being hypersensitive or over-reactive. However severe sensitivity to clothing or certain noises doesn't always mean autism. Kids often have skin sensitivities. Those with lighter skin might be more likely to feel strange or have trouble with rougher fabrics. Sometimes, a tag can bother them making them prefer tagless clothes. This is an easy problem to solve.
Not every kid gets these sensitivities. Babies have more sensitive skin because it hasn't grown yet. This makes them prone to rashes or eczema.
Clothing choices for your autistic child and compression vests
If you're raising an autistic child, you'll need different clothing options that suit their unique behavior. While many brands offer clothes for autistic and sensory-sensitive kids, think about getting a special weighted compression vest along with other compression wear. This vest is easy to put on and take off your child. It's helpful when your child is around other kids and you're not there. Of course, you can also use it at home in certain situations.
Make sure your autistic child wears the vest in specific situations that are tough for them. Use it for just 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Using it too much won't make it work well in the long run or help in different parts of the day that might overwhelm your child and make them more anxious. You want this to be something that works when you need it—so it's crucial to limit its use to those special times when it's needed.
Compression vests and clothing can make autistic kids more aware of their bodies and help them feel at ease in upsetting situations. Anything that might ramp up emotions—loud noises unfamiliar people around being out in public, and pretty much any setting where they need to calm down—could benefit from compression shirts or vests. This type of clothing aims to stop them from spiraling into panic mode, which can happen for autistic children.
Reasons for kids with autism to wear compression clothing—types of deep pressure
- Require extra care
- Crave hugs and physical support
- Offers reassurance
- Helps in strange or new settings
- Gives better blood flow support
- Covers arms and legs
Snug-fitting clothes can really help kids with autism
People dealing with overall anxiety can also gain from wearing tight shirts or vests. This helps calm your nerves and eases any situation. Tight clothes can also benefit folks with panic issues or those struggling with PTSD and general anxiety. Many people already avoid certain places or events due to fears of panic or worry they might face.
Rather than relying on drugs to combat panic and anxiety, Esteem Apparel and other companies now sell different types of compression clothes. This gives people an easy way to get help during tough situations or in places that bother them. Let's say you struggle with flying or visiting the doctor - anything that might trigger more trauma or an anxiety attack. Wearing a compression shirt, vest, or other compression gear can help reduce these feelings.
Think about getting more sensory-friendly clothes for your autistic kid
When a compression shirt isn't enough for your autistic child, you might want to look into companies that offer more suitable clothing options. The market has plenty of sensory brands that can help your autistic child feel comfortable and relaxed. Here are some well-known brands to check out: Soft Clothing, Smart Knit Kids, Fun and Function, and No Netz.
