Hugging from the Inside: How Compression Garments Can Support Children with Cerebral Palsy and Core Weakness

When you're parenting a child with cerebral palsy, low muscle tone, or other neurodevelopmental conditions that impact motor control and body awareness, you quickly learn that core support is key. From posture and coordination to balance and energy, the strength of the trunk often lays the foundation for how a child moves, learns, and engages with the world.

Many families and therapists have discovered that compression garments can be an incredibly helpful tool in providing that much-needed support. These snug-fitting, stretchy garments are designed to offer gentle pressure to the body, enhancing posture, stability, and body awareness - all of which are vital for children with motor and sensory challenges.

One brand often recommended by therapists and widely used by families is SPIO (Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis). While no single solution works for every child, many parents report that garments like these can make everyday activities a little easier and more comfortable -helping children feel more stable, more confident, and better connected to their bodies.  They tell us it wasn’t until they tried them that they really understood the difference the garments could make. Not a miracle, not a cure, but a steady, comforting support that made everyday movements just a little easier for a child. A hug from the inside, really.

If you’re curious about compression garments and whether they might help your child, this post is for you. 

What Are Compression Garments?

Compression garments are tight but flexible clothing items such as vests, shorts, shirts, pants, or full-body suits, made from lightweight, breathable fabrics. These garments gently compress the muscles and joints, providing consistent sensory input and external support.

They are often used by children with:

• Cerebral palsy 

• Hypotonia (low muscle tone)

• Developmental coordination disorder

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Sensory processing disorder

• Neuromuscular conditions

While compression garments aren’t a replacement for physical or occupational therapy, they are often used alongside other interventions to support functional movement and regulation.

How Do They Help?

The benefits of compression garments can vary depending on each child’s unique needs, but here are some of the most common ways they can make a difference:

1. Improved Postural Control

Children with weak core muscles often struggle to sit upright or maintain posture during daily activities. Compression garments provide gentle pressure around the trunk, offering external support that can help the child stay more aligned and stable.

2. Enhanced Proprioception (Body Awareness)

Many children with motor or sensory processing difficulties have trouble understanding where their body is in space. Compression garments increase proprioceptive input, giving the brain feedback about body position and movement. This can lead to better coordination, balance, and movement planning.

3. Calming Sensory Input

For some children, especially those with sensory processing differences, the deep pressure of compression garments has a calming effect. This can help with emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and improve focus during therapy or learning activities.

4. Improved Functional Movement

When a child’s core is supported, their limbs are freer to move with more control. Compression garments can assist with more coordinated crawling, walking, reaching, and fine motor tasks, especially when used in conjunction with therapy.

5. Better Engagement in Therapy and Play

With added body awareness and stability, many children are better able to participate in therapeutic activities, schoolwork, or even everyday play. They may be less distracted by sensory discomfort or instability, allowing them to focus on what’s in front of them.  My son began requesting his Spio suit before he did learning bay work at school. He didn’t have much language but was able to let us know it was helping him focus.

Why SPIO?

SPIO is one of the leading brands in therapeutic compression garments for children with neuromotor and sensory conditions. Developed by clinicians, their garments are lightweight, soft, and designed to move with the child rather than restrict them.

Some of the SPIO product options include:

• SPIO Vest – Offers core support for the trunk, improving postural control and balance.

• SPIO Pants/Shorts – Helps support the hips and lower body, useful for children working on walking or seated posture.