Managing children's sensory difficulties with clothing is a daily struggle. Sometimes, even during the day. But how can you tell if it's merely a quirk or a personality feature or a clothing sensitivity? How can you assist them, then? Learn more by continuing to read.
You've come to the right place if you're looking for information on how to encourage children's clothing sensitivity. No, we're not referring to a youngster who spends the entire summer in tutus and ballet shoes. We're also not referring to the youngster who takes 15 minutes each morning to put on his shoes and socks.
We're referring to the little child who, because of his sensory sensitivity, insisted on dressing in sandals and shorts while it was snowing. We're talking about the fourth-grader who goes to school every day in dresses because she can't stand wearing underwear or pants (and is around the corner from starting puberty).
This blog is for the parents who shell out hundreds or even thousands of rupees for the most recent pair of sensory-friendly socks only to have them sit in a pile gathering dust.
Sensory quirks vs. sensory issues in children with clothing sensitivity
Everybody has sensory "quirks," which are sensory inputs and sensations that they dislike, like, or even experience without really being affected by them. It may be time to seek professional treatment when that sensory oddity begins to interfere with daily functioning in activities that are significant and meaningful to that person.
It may be more symptomatic of Sensory Processing Disorder (or a sensory challenge, as SPD isn't yet a recognised diagnosis) if the child's sensory concerns with clothing limit their ability to fully engage in learning, social interactions, or activities at home.
Therefore, a youngster with a sensory issue could not like the way pants feel, but they might be acceptable for the family beach photo in the white shirt and jeans (you know the one!). A child with sensory issues would either be unable to put on those jeans without having a complete meltdown or might be able to wear them for the photo but afterwards experience a major sensory meltdown.
Signs your child has sensory issues with clothing
A child with clothing sensitivity is said to have a low threshold for tactile information, which means that they process touch more quickly than neurotypical people do. They can detect each seam, crease, and fuzz ball in a pair of socks. Tags aggravate them to the hilt. They could find it difficult to wear clothes that fit properly and choose items that are either too small or too large.
Some kids have serious issues with wearing socks, shoes, or even any underwear. When a child has so little clothes that it affects their hygiene, safety, or social life (for example, when they can't go to P.E. because they can't wear shoes), it's time to seek professional help from an occupational therapist.
How do clothing sensitivities impact my child’s behaviour?
Clothing sensitivities can hinder a child's ability to participate and perform in class, in addition to being annoying and possibly causing you to be late for appointments or school. When a youngster with clothing sensitivity is forced to wear anything that bothers them, their nervous system (brain) is on high alert all the time, experiencing these unpleasant and unpleasant impulses on their body.
The youngster is expected to follow directions, participate in a lesson, have a discussion, and pay attention in addition to being unable to remove their clothing while in class and having to suffer the sensation of the fabric or seams against their flesh. Their brain must use a tremendous amount of cognitive effort in order to ignore the feel of the clothing and focus on what matters. A brain that has been overworked and worn out as a result may be more prone to sensory meltdowns and other behaviours.
How can I help my child with sensory issues to clothes?
The top two things you can do to help your child through their clothing sensitivities are:
- Don’t be afraid to accommodate them when you can. For example, cutting off tags and finding sensory-friendly clothing. Even if this means being okay with them wearing things that are mismatched or off season.
- Find ways to practice through play during “neutral” times, aka not when you need to actually leave the house for something. Practice on the weekends or after school. Start off small, like wearing socks for 1 minute while you dance to a silly song. The most important part is to meet them where they’re at: if they can’t tolerate trying socks on for 1 second, how can you expect them to wear socks to school? This is where the just right challenge comes in to play.
When you decide to practice trying on clothes in a fun and playful way, make sure you do this one thing: do it at a time that’s neutral, with absolutely zero pressure to wear anything specific or a time crunch to get out of the house. For example, practice on a Sunday afternoon when there’s no pressure to leave the house. Just spend 10-15 minutes playing a clothing dress up game like one of the ideas below. This way there’s no pressure from you and your child can just be relaxed and have fun.
3 playful ways to practice trying on new clothes
WE promise, there are so many different fun ways to integrate clothing practice into a game or activity that your child will have fun with. Here are my top 3 ways to practice clothing in a playful way
Animal walk fashion show
Put on one new item of clothes and move across the room by doing a crab walk, bear crawl, or frog hop. They can take it off or try something new when they get there, then crab walk back across the room. Make it entertaining by adding music or a timer. Repeat!
Roll-an-outfit
Lay out some clothes items and take a die. Note which article of clothing each number corresponds to. Have the youngster throw the dice to determine what clothes item they will wear. Dance around for a while, then restart.
Bubble race
See if your youngster can change into a different outfit before the final bubble touches the ground by blowing bubbles into the air. Blow bubbles once again to stomp or clap once they've put that outfit on, then change them again!