6yo tight shoe OCD. Any advice?

[FifiFerusha]

Hi all,

So my now 6yo has been funny about shoes since the age of 3. She needs to pull them so tight they sometime leave marks. She won't wear trainers( mostly and if she does it must be with no socks). She will only wear a very specific pair of soft lined boots with no socks, that are now too small( and scruffy). We bought an exact pair larger but they were no good for some reason. I can't buy her nice school shoes like clarks because she breaks the strap within a month so have to settle for cheap shoes every few weeks sometimes and each new pair creates a temper tantrum. She broke the last pair within seconds because she needed to pull the strap so tight.

In all, she is a nice little girl but this shoe thing is getting worse. I understand that this whole thread looks like it may be the behaviour of a very spoilt little girl. . . But she isn't and is generally well behaved...it is a real issue she has with the feeling of things on her feet...socks and tights can be an issue too. This shoe OCD does taper off at times for a few months but now it has come back full throttle and we are at our wits end...it is hard to leave the house sometimes. Has anybody else had any experience with this or found any shoe that will overcome this?

Any advice much appreciated x x

[user1484226561]

see your GP?

[FifiFerusha]

Worried I wouldn't be taken seriously :( but maybe it has come to that

[youarenotkiddingme]

Agree gp for advice. Explain it's taking over family life as can't leave the house at times.

Have you ever looked at sensory processing difficulties? The out of synch child is worth a read.

[Cakescakescakes]

If you can afford to pay for a private OT appointment then they should be able to help with sensory difficulties. My son has ASD and has lots of issues around shoes and clothes. You would need an OT with experience in sensory processing disorders. In theory you might get an NHS referral but we had a 14 month wait here so I'd skip it if you can. My son also has hypermobile joints so needs his shoes/boots fasted pretty tight for him to feel they are supporting his ankles properly etc.

[Cakescakescakes]

Try posting this on the SN Children board too as lots of parents there whose kids have sensory difficulties as part of their SN and may have tips for you.

[minipie]

It doesn't sound spoiled to me, more a sensory issue or needing the support.

You might find ankle boots better than shoes - kickers style or hi tops with velcro straps. DD needs extra support and likes www.next.co.uk/go58142s7 with the straps pulled tight.

If that isn't tight enough I would suggest looking at hiking boot style shoes where you can pull the laces properly tight (and the laces are made strong)

Explain the issue to school and ask them to cut some her slack on the style she wears vs compliance with uniform.