Sensory Smart Clothing Choices
Lindsey Biel, OTR/L
Addressing sensory processing challenges is a multi-tiered
endeavor. It is a combination of finding therapy and instruction that will
benefit the child, as well as putting together a daily sensory diet that
optimizes varying levels of nervous system arousal. And, while all of this
“good stuff” is working to ease the child’s sensory sensitivities, it’s
essential to be proactive about making the world a more comfortable place for
an uncomfortable child.
Previous Sensory Smart columns have
addressed the impact of sensory processing problems on behavior and learning at
home, at school, and in the community. A child may struggle with the odor of
harsh cleaning products used in schools, or the distracting flicker and hum of
fluorescent lighting, or the constant irritation of clothing tags, seams, and
waistband. One of the great challenges of parenting or teaching a child with
sensory issues is knowing when to push him (sometimes uncomfortably) forward
through these issues, when to back off entirely (and perhaps try another day),
and how often, and to what extent, we should accommodate the issues (change the
environment). When a child feels physically or emotionally distressed by
sensory experiences, he cannot function at his best. If a child is truly
uncomfortable or in pain, it’s best to keep all three options in mind. Yes, you
do want him to be able to tolerate all kinds of experiences eventually; yes, you do want to avoid
situations that he is simply unable to tolerate yet; and yes, it’s a good idea to accommodate his sensitivities so
he can function at his best right now.
Clothing: A Great Starting Point
Many individuals on the spectrum, from
babies to adults, have strong likes and dislikes when it comes to clothing.
Sensitivity to fabrics is often one of the first things a new parent notices. A
baby may have a meltdown whenever she gets her diaper changed. This may be a
sensory-based reaction to changes in body position, powders or lotions, the
diaper, or the way she is being handled. Later, there may be particular
textures and fabrics the child just can’t tolerate. The child who is ultra
sensitive to tactile input may be feeling his sock seams or his shirt cuffs all
day long. What a distraction to attention and learning! I have worked with many
young clients who come home, tear off their school clothing, and put on cozy
sweatshirts with the hood up and sleeves pulled down to their fingertips.
That’s fine, but it becomes a real problem when a child insists on wearing
sweatpants and shearling boots in summer or sandals and a miniskirt in winter.
Clothing challenges can be physically and emotionally painful for the teenager
who wants to fit in but can’t tolerate the feeling of the latest fashions, like
tight blue jeans or super baggy pants.
In her wonderful foreword to my book, Raising a Sensory Smart Child, Dr.
Temple Grandin wrote that, “Scratchy petticoats and wool clothes were like
sandpaper against my skin. I still wear my underwear inside out so that the
stitching does not rub against me. I wear old, well-washed, soft T-shirts under
my new shirts to make them tolerable.” Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since
the days of petticoats–and there are many companies who are tuning in to
tactile sensitivity issues among both the special needs and neurotypical
population.
These cute training
socks for kids have easy-to-grab loops to help kids pull them up. Most have
adorable animal designs on them. For supersensitive feet, select the solid
colors that eliminate
decorative stitching. These socks have flat but well-crafted seams.
Fun and Function, www.funandfunction.com
A great assortment
of “Sens-ational Hug” clothing: short and long sleeve shirts that provide
calming, gentle compression can be worn alone or under clothing, plus
compression and weighted vests many kids find soothing.
Hannah Andersson, www.hannaandersson.com
High quality, soft
clothing and undergarments for babies, children, and women. Outstanding for its
selection of sensory-friendly underwear for boys and girls that tends to not
ride up or have irritating waistbands.
Pipsqueakers, www.pipsqueakers.com
These adorable baby
and toddler shoes and sandals have Velcro closures, wide openings, and squeak
with every step. If your child walks on tiptoes, ask the company to place the
squeaker toward the heel so it only squeaks when your child’s heel strikes the
floor, providing auditory feedback to reduce toe walking.
Prince’s Sensory Delights, www.princessensorydelights.com
Tagless tee shirts
with a horse appliqué that can work as a built-in hand fidget, pants that are
designed to accommodate light weights (sold separately) in the pockets, and
more.
Soft, www.softclothing.net
A great assortment
of very nice soft, tagless, tops, bottoms, cardigans, and dresses.
SPIO (Stabilizing Pressure Input
Orthosis), www.spioworks.com
These therapeutic
compression garments are made from Lycra-like material that provides deep
pressure to improve limb and body awareness, muscle and joint stability, and
movement. Their use should be discussed with your occupational or physical
therapist. Styles include a vest, shirt, and pants that can be worn alone or
under clothing.
Teres Kids, www.tereskids.com
I was the OT
consultant on this beautiful 100% organic clothing line for kids with tactile
sensitivity. With both short and long sleeve shirts, dresses, and pants for
boys and girls, these products are great for kids who crave soft, tagfree,
seamfree clothing (seams are flat sewn on the outside).
For more on tactile sensitivity and other
sensory processing challenges–as well as practical strategies for dealing with
them–see Raising a Sensory Smart Child and
visit www.sensorysmarts.com.
Disclaimer: Lindsey Biel
does not receive any compensation or benefit from recommending products in this
column, including those from Teres Kids, for which she consulted on a pro bono (unpaid) basis.
10 Parenting Strategies
When it comes to clothing,
it pays to become extra resourceful and creative.
1. If
a child can only tolerate really well laundered clothes, wash new clothes
multiple times in hot water. This will remove the sizing that can make clothing
stiff and uncomfortable.
2. Use an unscented fabric softener or a
scented one only if your child likes the smell.
3. Consider buying “preconditioned” clothing
from a consignment or thrift shop.
4. Take your school-age child shopping with
you: let her feel more in control of what happens to her body by giving her the
chance to pick out her apparel.
5. Work on tactile desensitization with your
occupational therapist, and learn how to give your child deep pressure, such as
a firm massage, or therapeutic “brushing” before dressing.
6. Avoid or remove typical clothing irritants:
tags, labels, itchy threads on seams, elastic cuffs, ankles, and waistbands,
tight collars and turtlenecks, and scratchy appliques. Run your fingers along
sewn sections to feel for scratchiness or bumps.
7. Buy only soft fabrics: cotton, fleece,
flannel. Avoid polyster blends that pill.
8. Put high quality skin moisturizer with
glycerin or lanolin on your child’s body before dressing, especially in winter
when skin is dry and itchy.
9. Some parents are reporting very good results
with flax seed oil or fish oil supplements—not just for mood and behavior, but
also in reducing sensitivity to clothing.
10. Explore different clothing options such as
seamless socks or socks worn inside out; snug tights, leggings, and tops beneath
regular clothing; clothing alternatives such as soft sweatpants or leggings
instead of blue jeans.
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