School shirts and sensory issues

[Chocolatecoin]

My lovely DS starts secondary school soon, and like every school here, it has a strict uniform. He has ASD and has, all his life, worn a soft t shirt with a fleece or his primary uniform which was a comfy pool shirt and sweatshirt. Now, he's going to have to wear a school shirt, tie and blazer and he honestly can't cope with how it feels. I've tried to get him to try it for a few minutes but it's made him so upset. It feels physically painful for him. Any ideas? The school isn't going to allow him to wear anything else, and even if they did, he would hate to feel different. Ive suggested he wears a favourite t shirt under but he doesn't like how that feels either. There are no other schools with a more relaxed uniform. Any ideas how I can make it more comfortable for him? I've washed the shirts to try to soften them a bit. Any other ways I can make the shirt more bearable? Thanks so much.

[BabyGanoush]

My son could not abide the cheap white shirts.

I bought him 100% cotton ones (they sell white ones at M&S and John Lewis, long and short sleeved). Carefully remove all labels, and iron after every wash (to soften them).

Clip-on tie

Sometimes, if it's cold or he is very sensitive about it I bought very thin silk long sleeve "skins" (tees) from Patra, to wear underneath the shirt.

He's less sensitive about clothesnow (14), but it used to be panic stations if we did not have the right (soft cotton) pants, as he'd refuse to leavd the house....

Good luck!

[bearleftmonkeyright]

www.marksandspencer.com/s/kids/school-uniform/help-and-inspiration/easy-dressing-school-uniform?&mcptredirect

A friend posted this link on her Facebook page. The uniform has been designed in consultation with the NAS.

[Paragonimus]

How about trying a shirt with a different material. Will the school allow a shirt like this? www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/164171

Soft cotton Jersey so feels more like the polo shirts he's used to. My child is very particular about labels and material so will point blank refuse to wear anything that isn't "soft" or is even remotely scratchy.

[Chocolatecoin]

Thanks so much for the replies and ideas. The shirt you've recommended bearleft looks great but he must have long sleeves...sigh....I'll look for 100% cotton and see how that feels, and the silk underwear looks lovely, thank you.

[Chocolatecoin]

Paragonimus, thank you, definitely worth a try.

[Titsywoo]

My ds is 9 but I am very worried about this! He doesn't even wear proper trousers he wears black jogging bottoms. No advice sorry just watching thread...

[123therearenomoreusernames]

Chocolatecoin how did it go? Did you find something acceptable?

[Balletgirlmum]

Another vote for M & S 100% cotton shirts.

[Ausernotanumber]

Bounce sheets in the tumbler? As well as non iron?

[SheepyFun]

If you can't find anything else, is it really not worth discussing it with the school? DH is allergic to a lot of materials (has visible breathing difficulties, which might help persuade those in authority!). He was given a special dispensation by his school (UK public school with very strict uniform policy) - I think he wore polo shirts (and this is 30 years ago; they definitely weren't part of the uniform) with a tie.

[Chocolatecoin]

Thank you! Sorry 123 I didn't see your message and just saw the last three come up now. We are 3 weeks in and he's doing OK. Wears his shirt and tie loose and that seems to be fine and he's got used to how it feels, thankfully.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Pleased to hear he is settling in well. We are visiting schools at the moment and one of the SENCOs suggested that we might consider getting secondhand blazers for dd (it is the blazer she is particularly concerned with). Might save a few pennies too.