I work with a 5 year old girl with significant postural instability and gravitational insecurity. She can walk with a walker, but cannot assume standing in the walker or get down from her walker without a death grip on the walker and crying. She also is very fearful to stand when support is lessened.... The first time she tried the SPIO vest and pants, she was stood for several seconds without support. She took 1-2 steps on her own and she was willing to practice getting in and out of her walker several times without incident. The second time she tried the vest and pants, she walked for 8 feet while holding a ball. Today, she walked for 8 feet several times. She is moving right along! The SPIO gives her the deep input that she needs to feel more confident in her body in space.

Atalie Ho Lem, PT - Phoenix, AZ

This little one has really low muscle tone and is really not coordinated with his UE's.  Have used every adaptive device on the planet I could think of to help him independently color.  Then I remembered about the glove and ordered him one.  He fought having the glove on at first, but when he could actually pick up a thin pencil and maintain a sustained ulnar palmar grasp for the first time in his little life and make marks on a paper, he was thrilled.  Refused to have the glove off.  I got it for other reasons and this was a definite kleenex moment for both me and the mom.  Now I am getting him another one!!

Rosemary Slade, OTR. PLLC
Spring, TX

I put a custom SPIO shirt and pant on a 14 year old boy the other day and he was so happy. I can't describe it. His family couldn't believe it. He was giggling, and jumping around and then started galloping!!! This is a child who can barely walk straight with his head up. He is usually very floppy, no arm swing, very heavy footed, head and neck down looking at the floor. He was so excited and he wanted to show everyone that he could gallop and now I want to teach him how to skip.

Amy Yow-Gowland, OTR/L
Children's Therapy Program
Stanwood Rehabilitation Clinic
Stanwood, WA

 Eden Lopez is a 20-month old with developmental delays.  She has very low muscle tone through her trunk and was referred for therapy when she was about 8 months old because she wasn’t sitting, rolling, or crawling.  She caught up on those skills, but took longer than usual to stand and walk.  Once she was on her feet she locked her knees and curled her toes and fell over all the time.  We started using a SPIO vest in therapy and her falls reduced by at least 50% and she only curled her toes or locked her knees when her balance is really being challenged (which would be expected).  Her family ordered a custom t-shirt with abdominal reinforcements, and she continues to make progress with her balance and coordination.

Joli LaBissoniere, OT
Children's Therapy Center
Kent, WA

I have a patient with Strider who is almost two and struggles with his breathing.  When I put the SPIO vest on him it relaxes his muscles and quiets his breathing.  He seems more relaxed overall.  His mom can't believe the difference. 

Leigh Gardner, PT
SPARK
Mt. Vernon, WA

 Gareth “Nick” Larsen is an almost-4 year old boy who was referred for OT due to very high activity level, fear of swinging, frequent car-sickness, and tactile seeking behaviors.  Nick frequent rolls around on the floor, does somersaults, runs and crashes into things, and has difficulty sitting at the table to work on a task, especially if it is challenging.  One day we wore a SPIO vest and he sat at the table participating in a game without rocking his chair, wiggling, or tipping the table over.  We took the vest off and he immediately began rolling on the floor, doing somersaults, and seeking out touch, movement, and heavy-work input. We are in the process of ordering a t-shirt for him.

Joli LaBissoniere, OT
Children's Therapy Center
Kent, WA

When I first met Gabriel he was six.  He couldn't sit still and was constantly seeking sensory feedback by touching his arms and legs.  He had no balance and his father would have to walk with him to catch him when he lost his balance because he would fall.  This was even with foot orthotics.
We put a SPIO shirt and pants on him and it was amazing the night and day difference!  He was calmer, engaged in small conversation and when he walked and lost balance, he would catch himself and even bent over to pick up a toy without falling over.  Dad was happily surprised!  It was a while before the doctor was able to see him and he wore the SPIO the entire time, rubbing his stomach.  The smooth texture must have felt good to him.  After that, it was a matter of Dad keeping him from running down the corridor with his newfound balance!

Pam
Floating Children's Hospital
Boston, MA

One of the most dramatic differences for [Katy] with her SPIO components was the immediate and prolonged visual gaze and attention to her hand when the first glove was put on.  She has limited sensation and she is also incorporating her left arm/hand into movements more when the garments are on.

Dee Eckhardt
Chehalis School District
Olympia, WA