School uniform issues

[Badnewsoracle]

DS is nearly 7. He's NT (as far as were aware) but has some significant sensory challenges, mainly around clothes. At home he wears 'boy leggings' and t shirts and fleeces 99% of the time as these cause him least issue. He likes thin, soft, stretchy fabrics and hates anything restrictive, particularly around his joints.

For school he wears short sleeve shirts and shorts, with a vest underneath. Getting him to wear a jumper is a no-no, but he will wear his blazer and school let him wear a waistcoat/ sweater vest made of school jumper material (not sweatshirting).

However trousers are a huge issue and it disrupts his learning. Days I have made him wear trousers he's been so distracted and upset in school that they've let him change in to his P.E shorts.

So he's wearing school shorts. But it's freezing here now and getting colder..they play out in all weathers. Any suggestions? Either for super stretchy school trousers (that look like school trousers, no joggers or leggings allowed) or knee high socks (makes me think of the 1950s!).

Thanks

My son wore base layers with shorts over the top - sporty leggins that footballer etc wear so less teasing that they are tights or for gilrs. I got them in decathlon and sports direct.

I may try some base layer trousers.

I know lots will be murmuring about sensory issues but honestly I think an awful lot of kids just don't like the feel of things - boys in particular. One of mine is a bit like this and loads of his friends are the same - they don't care what garments look like, they care what they feel like. I've ended up doing baby steps with mine who is like this as ultimately as an adult he'll sometimes have to wear things he doesn't love the feel of, we all do. Mine would live in a particular brand of soft trousers if he could but as he's got older he is understands that he can't always wear them.

I disagree, we don't need to be rushing to pathologise every child who doesn't strictly conform or fit into a nice neat box (or uniform).

Make some reasonable adjustments, as OP is trying to do from this thread, and allow the poor kid to grow and develop at his own pace.

Or perhaps sensory processing difficulties are much more common than many people realise, especially in boys.

My son wears shorts all year round. He has long black Nike socks (used to be plain but he’s year 6 now and too cool). He will not wear trousers. Ever. I’m not sure how high school is going to go down to be honest but I’ve found in primary that him
having shorts and long ish socks plus a school t shirt, the school jumper and a thick coat has kept him nice and warm in the winter.

Preprep DC wear shorts all year round' Teamed with long socks it works just fine

Try John Lewis for the socks - otherwise Sports Direct do lots of colours of football socks, so worth a look there too.

I second the pp who mentioned the sainsbury's jersey trousers and the jersey M&S school trousers. Both are quite slim fit so maybe not too dissimilar to leggings.

DS wore shorts with knee length socks (M&S) in the coldest weather. Hasn't worn a school jumper since y2, but was fine with a big coat.

He's at secondary now and coping by wearing baggy trousers with very cinched in waists so his legs can breathe.

He's dyspraxic and autistic, but the sensory side is stronger than the comnunication difficulties.
The dyspraxia was picked up during dyslexia testing.

Would these be suitable? Made from jersey, look like suit trousers: https://www.boohooman.com/jersey-skinny-suit-trousers/AMM05152-105-285.html?istCompanyId=9de2f27a-9672-4ac4-b061-147ce3c3a633&istFeedId=9179cc73-11c3-442f-bb56-f89a61fdc694&istItemId=pillrtaal&istBid=t&gbraid=0AAAAADcQF9QCTQ-9xfofzmCCFvAFyv1X&gbraid=0AAAAADcQF9QCTQ-9xfofzmCCFvAFyv1X&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC07GdPJrW8-WODqzkUStTjxODmqwmIBcsvN5Bd82nFPPtY4MWb7fQaAh5JEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or these?

https://www.boohooman.com/elasticated-skinny-jersey-textured-trouser/BMM07726-105-56.html?istCompanyId=9de2f27a-9672-4ac4-b061-147ce3c3a633&istFeedId=9179cc73-11c3-442f-bb56-f89a61fdc694&istItemId=pqltmllrp&istBid=t&gbraid=0AAAAADcQF9T5KJWdoWqFGN5oiAVHBT6cX&gbraid=0AAAAADcQF9T5KJWdoWqFGN5oiAVHBT6cX&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC05BmhHnvpe4PKJwjIz5QN-3PfHTYw2xIivcD3C13buAuk7br1lLp0aAmRtEALww_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Following your update I would definitely keep an eye on possible dyspraxia. There are so many related bits such as executive functioning which can impact much more as they grow older. It is worth staying aware as to how it presents.

He sounds just like my son, from the late walking to the not being able to do stairs and jumping to the handwriting. All of it. My son is NT as far a we know but has some behavioural problems which made me think for a while that there was 'something' going on.

Anyway, he wears shorts all year. We're in Scotland so it's not exactly warm but it's what he wants. He will tolerate pull-up trousers (marks do them) as he doesn't like buttons etc digging into his waist but only if they are quite loose. He's never worn a pair of jeans in his entire life (he's seven), joggers are fine, but school can be tricky. You have my sympathy!

The girls school trousers from supermarkets are usually jersey and feel like leggings. They might work for him if you size down or can get a slim fit.

Why can't he wear his leggings under school shorts? In primary uniform is a load of old bollocks anyway - I thought it was not possible to legally enforce it? So do as you please.

^ Trousers like these I mean from Sainsbury (hope I’ve done the link correctly!)

My son wore shorts all year round through choice at that age. When it came to secondary he happily wore trousers. I wouldn't worry about the cold, kids run around and don't feel it like adults

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Skinny-Jersey-Trousers-2-Pack-%283-16-Years%29/140708633-Black?searchTerm=:price-asc:colour:Black&searchProduct=

this ^^^

Not RTT so apologies if already suggested but how about skins under his shorts. Our school allows them for PE.

yes girls' jersey school trousers are probably your best bet or sports base layers if school will allow. But generations of boys have worn shorts all through the winter, and girls have worn skirts without tights. If need be you can do a lot with a thicker vest or thermal on his top half, decent coat and gloves, maybe long sleeve shirts.

He has plenty of time on his side. Just be wary though, sometimes sensitivity to clothing can be a manifestation of them not coping in other ways. My son's gone from refusing school jumpers to wearing a blazer, shirt and tie, now that his needs are being better met at school. He is autistic though.

Like others I really rate the m & s jersey trousers. DD will
only wear things that are ‘soft’ not ‘scratchy’. After much searching trousers and skirts from the M&S jersey range have been happily accepted. They are soft, stretchy and wash well.

DP remarked on her trousers last week that he would have killed for a pair when he was at school. He appeared to be musing on whether adult ones are available!

Thanks. His gross motor skills are shocking (his fine aren't much better, handwriting is awful). People have always said he's just "not into sport" or labelled him as clumsy. The health visitor was suggested revaluation 6 months after his 2year check as he was behind on a couple of physical things (stair climbing and jumping) but wasn't very concerned and when I chased this up they weren't bothered as he could now do those things. He was a late walker as well (20 months) but again, no one was concerned when I raised it.

I'm sure you will keep an eye on the situation but wanted to link to the ADHD foundation for some tips, unfortunately, their website seems to be down at the moment.

www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

Dyspraxia: dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/advice/dyspraxia-in-children/

A lot of private schools, including my DD’s, don’t give the boys any choice and it’s year round socks with knee socks that are more often than not pushed down to the ankles! Has he actually complained about being cold in his shorts? If not I’d let him carry on as he is.

My son has sensory issues too and likes to wear shorts as much as possible. On cold days, I put knee length socks on him (John Lewis sell them). He does push them down as soon as he gets to school though. On PE days he’ll happily wear skins/base layer under.

I was shopping at the weekend and picked up some school trousers aimed at girls (they have a bow/gathered bit on the pocket) and was surprised by how much softer than boys trousers they are. Those ones from M&S a PP posted above look good, and nothing that mark them out as ‘girly’.