Clothing problems for DD recently diagnosed with ASD

[SparkleSoiree]

One of DDs issues is sensory and we have loud protests from her if clothes don't feel/sit 'right' on her. It has gotten worse over recent months and the amount of clothes bought that have to be returned or handed on because DD doesn't like them for these reasons is quite unreal.

If she had her way she would remain in her soft pjs all day, every day. Its a huge effort to get her out of them each day. She loves bright colours and flamboyant designs in things but a lot of the time there is usually lots of seams or the material is scratchy on her skin. When her Eczema is in full force I just feel so sorry for her. Her wardrobe is dwindling which is a shame because I love buying clothes for my girls and love watching them expressing themselves via their clothing but DD(5) is becoming quite limited.

Has anyone come across any brand of clothing that is designed with these kind of sensory issues in mind?

Many thanks.

[mumof2turds]

Hmm same problem here so no advice sorry. Dd1 is very particular about trousers being exactly right length not too short or long and ha to have things perfect! Dd2 won't wear buttons of any sort and won't wear clothes that come too far up her neck. I have found GAP quote good in their sales for getting cheap jogging bottoms that are soft and also our h&m is good for bright colours and non scratchy material.

[siblingrivalry]

Sorry, I can't really help because we are in the same situation with DD.

She has recently found that she likes Boden clothes- bright colours/funky designs- but soft fabric and they feel 'loose' (particularly the dresses).

Best of luck - sadly, it seems to be a trial and error thing. We have also taken umpteen outfits back to the shop, or given them to charity, because they just don't feel 'right' to DD.

[Arithmeticulous]

We have found one sort of trousers (which are luckily £4.99 in H&M) which meet all requirements, once the labels have been cut off. And this year we have ventured away from navy blue

Can she explain where the issue is? DS doesn't like certain collars/cuffs/lengths of sleeve. You can get seemless socks. Boxers rather than pants. Sometimes he'll put up with a neckline because he likes the picture on front

[Ineedalife]

We have had the same for years with Dd3, she has mainly worn black leggings and one of two customised hoodies.

We have had shorts and skirts from mini boden with stretchy waist bands which have been worn a bit.

Dd3 also spends a huge amount of at home time in her pj's.

At least you are not alone

[ohmeohmy]

There are companies but they tend to be more than if you can find something in a shop locally try sensorysmart.co.uk/ And this might be helpful www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/03/28/10-tips-for-dressing-a-sensory-sensitive-child/

[SparkleSoiree]

Socks are a huge issue - yes, so will look out for seamless socks. Forget denim in any form, tops that have metallic threading, clothing with texture on the skin, seems or feelings of uneven/lumpy areas anywhere between her skin and the item. Its almost like she doesn't want to feel the clothes at all. MIL knits DD cardigans but DD says she doesn't mind the bumps (pattern) on those cardigans because the wool is soft. However if Eczema is in town any kind of material scratches and those days are draining to say the least.

I am now used to the shoes having to go on in the right order and the ritual she does before we begin the dressing routine but sometimes I am tense waiting to see if the outfit we/she has chosen will all go on without issue...most of the time it doesn't go on without issue.

I really appreciate your thoughts everyone so thanks.

[SparkleSoiree]

Ineedalife It does worry me that if she can get away with NOT having to get dressed out of her pjs she would do it all the time. I know she is only five but I am worried about this as she gets older and I wonder if it will affect her attitude towards every day life by not wanting to go out and be involved with things outside the house. She already says she dislikes leaving the house and really doesn't want to discuss starting school but that's just a bridge we are going to have to cross when we get to it!

Oh the joys! Does it show I'm still trying to come to terms with this?!

[SparkleSoiree]

Thanks for the links ohmeohmy, they look very helpful.

[coff33pot]

big sympathies to you.

Ds spends his time at home in nothin but one of 2 favourite T shirts and a pair of seem less boxers. Took a long time convincing him to cover the bottom half!

he will wear fleece though and soft line jogging bottoms. A coat will be worn IF I put a fleece lining in. Socks are a nightmare and shoes don't gets started on shoes.

[Lougle]

Hmm...I was thinking about this. Would it make a difference if there was a superthin 'onesie' type suit underneath regular clothes? So that there was a layer between the clothing and the skin?

[parsnipcake]

Glad I'm not the only one. My dd is 12 and it's now really hard to find anything she will wear as she likes younger clothes with props etc. you can't get them in her size. She hates any shiny fabric, will not entertain the idea of a bra, won't wear trousers unless they are loose leggings, and will only wear crocs. It's a nightmare. I have sometimes had success with sewing panels from her old favourites onto new clothes, but I have to be very neat or she rejects it. I will look at some of the links though

[Ineedalife]

I was wondering about this too lougle, Maybe a base layer or something similar might do the trick.

I have to say I have spent and wasted lots of time and money searching out "suitable" clothes over the years.

Dd3 stopped wearing trousers with buttons as soon as she was potty trained but this year she has managed shorts with buttons so long as I sew elastic into the waist [or they have adjustable waistbands] so that she can get the shorts up and down without undoing them.

I consider this to be a major triumph because clothes for a 10 yr old who is the size of a 12 yr old without buttons are hard to come by.

We also dont do applique, sequins, metalic thread, sparkly bits etc sparkle.

[mumof2turds]

My dd1 has base layers but they're for a Hobby she does, but she does say she loves wearing them as they don't itch! So may be worth considering baselayers under clothes , would prob work in winter but not sure about summer

[SparkleSoiree]

I hadn't condsidered a base layer....

I think in future I will take DD with me as much as I am able to buy her clothes...that way I know she will like it for whatever reason and I will have less return trips!

It takes a bit of getting used to though....you spend ages selecting clothes to buy and yet they can be eliminated almost immediately I take them out of the bag....its a learning curve!

[autumnsmum]

Hi I have a dd 3 who hates wearing clothes and refuses to wear them in the house .I have found that George at Asda do cheap cotton clothing and they often have characters on which my dd loves also they are cheap which helps if as other posters have said she refuses to wear them

[sannaville]

I'm busy posting many clothes on eBay that dd has never worn! The base layer tops you get are lovely and silky smooth, my dd loves the tightness of them I think worth a try

[Arithmeticulous]

We had a session once with something DS liked on telly and a bag of Smarties. And the entire contents of his wardrobe - and he got a smartie for putting on every piece of clothing and another one if he could tell me what/why he liked/disliked - and once I'd heard his explanation of what was wrong, it made shopping much easier. Also thinned out his wardrobe so I could see what was viable.

[ohmeohmy]

BOGOF on base layers at mountain life

[3b1g]

DS2 loves the seamless underpants (shorts style rather than briefs) made by Autograph at M&S. Other than that, I have to cut the labels out of everything and so long as the layer next to his skin feels OK, he's fine. He is also very fond of microfleece fabric.