Chicago Occupational Therapy • Sep 29, 2021

5 Ways to Use a Body Sock

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife…

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Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

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Body Sock Chicago pediatric therapy child lycra fabric occupational therapy physical therapy Sensory Speech therapy

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Purchased a body sock or plan to make one with some stretchy lycra fabric? This article has some great ideas on how to implement its use for your sensory-seeking child!

First to check: the body sock should be about the same height as your child, or even a little smaller. You want your child to feel some good resistance when they climb into the body sock and stretch out their limbs. Once you’ve checked the size, it’s time to get moving.

Here Are Some Ideas To Get You Started:

Animal Walks – Complete animal walks while inside the body sock. Crab walks, bear walks, donkey kicks, frog hops, etc. They are all great heavy work and gross motor activities to get your child moving on their own – doing them in the body sock adds some extra resistance!
Yoga Poses – Complete yoga poses such as downward dog, plank, tree pose, boat pose, and warrior pose. Your child can also complete stretches such as reaching their hand to their opposite foot and spreading arms and legs out wide like a star.
Games On Their Belly – Have your child lay on their belly and reach their arms over head and their legs straight out. They can complete log rolls in this position all the way across the room (A mat or carpeted surface is recommended for comfort). You can also have your child lay on their belly and lift their arms and legs in the air like superman – Try to see how long they can keep their arms and legs lifted into the air!
Popcorn – Have your child lay on their back. They should curl into a ball by bringing their arms and legs into their belly and pulling them in tight. Hold the position for at least 5 seconds before ‘popping’ arms and legs straight out and stretching against the lycra. Another way to play is have your child crouch down with arms wrapped around legs. When they pop, they can stand or jump and stretch their arms and legs out wide.
Letters of the Alphabet – Spell the letters of the alphabet or the letters of their name with their body. C, M, L, O and Z are good ones to practice with. Be creative with using your body in different ways!

Be Creative, Have Fun, and Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out

Now that you have some ideas for sensory integration and regulation with the body sock, go play! Allow your child to be creative in how they play and use the body sock, after all, children are the experts at coming up with different ways to play with things!

If you feel you need more guidance and would like to consult with one of our Pediatric Occupational Therapists, please call 773-687-9241 to set up an assessment today!