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Original poster

Tips to stop DS getting undressed

20 replies

Summerton · 05/08/2023 09:08

DS (2.5) no diagnosis of autism yet but have been told that he likely will in the future. It’s pretty obvious. Anyway, he continuously strips off, nappy too and will sometimes wee and poo on the floor. Yesterday I nipped into the kitchen for no more than a minute and in that time he had taken his pants and nappy off and there was poo everywhere😩 I just broke down in tears. I really need some tips to stop this from happening. Is there any special vests or something because he can take popper vests off. I have tried putting them on backwards in the hope that he can’t reach the buttons, but nope he can. I have also tried pull up nappies as well as the normal ones. Makes no difference

OP posts:

Original poster

Summerton · 05/08/2023 09:10

I have also put a potty down and tried to encourage that but because of his lack of understanding I got nowhere which is understandable but thought I’d try

OP posts:

whoami24601 · 05/08/2023 09:19

For DS I had a baby gro which had buttons instead of poppers. He didn't have the necessary dexterity to unfasten them so it was the only thing that stayed on! He wore nothing else for about 6 months until the habit was broken. I'll see if I can find what I mean.

letshaveachangeshallwe · 05/08/2023 09:21

I'm so sorry I haven't got any tips to stop that but am posting to bump it. I wonder if he can be dressed in a little as possible most of the time. I wonder if clothes are sensory overwhelm for him hence taking them off. I don't even know if they do autism friendly clothes in the right size ... I'm thinking something like this specialkids.company/collections/all-childrens-clothes?grid_list=grid-view

So something full body with no seams or labels.

Interested in this thread?

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Families Potty training

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 05/08/2023 09:24

Ha I remember this very well ,some kids just love to strip off . My son and his little friend used to do this when they were together . Also when they were not together . I used to grit my teeth and roll with it , they do grow out of it .

LateToTheParty · 05/08/2023 09:25

www.fledglings.org.uk/collections/body-vests

whoami24601 · 05/08/2023 09:25

This one! It has buttons between the legs and up the back and was the only thing that stayed on. Even now at 8 he's often found running around the house naked but at least he's toilet trained (mostly!)

SataumaMeddler · 05/08/2023 09:25

Zip up onesie on backwards with something over the top

x2boys · 05/08/2023 09:29

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 05/08/2023 09:24

My son is 13 and severely autistic and still.doesn't like wearing clothes
Honestly its probably a sensory issue Op I go with it at home ,but my son does know he needs to keep.his clothes on if we go out

x2boys · 05/08/2023 09:30

Like wearing clothes

Original poster

Summerton · 05/08/2023 09:50

Thanks everyone. Having a look at the websites now!

OP posts:

2reefsin30knots · 05/08/2023 09:59

Allowing him to be naked is not really OK if it leads to smearing. I agree with zip-up onesie backwards and then either a snug T-shirt on top or a safety pin just under the zipper.

His nappy might be bothering him. Might be worth trying something over that, like little cycling shorts, to stop it sliding around.

Triflenot · 05/08/2023 10:02

Dungarees?

80sMum · 05/08/2023 10:13

Is there a favourite toy or activity that he has? You could try making it contingent on him keeping his nappy on. So you could say "put this nappy on, then we can play with xyz.." and "no more playing with xyz because you're not wearing your nappy". If he's playing with something but then takes his nappy off, you could immediately remove what he was playing with.

Or you could simply remove him to the bathroom every time he takes his nappy off - and make him stay there until he puts it on, explaining that "nappy off = bathroom).

He'll soon realise that if he takes his nappy off, he can't do the things that he wants to do. Hopefully, his wish to play and enjoy his toys will override his wish to take the nappy off. It depends on how well he responds to incentives.

Regarding the clothes, I think you may have to let him keep his clothes off indoors if he wants to, for the time being at least. It's the nappy that is totally non-negotiable!

Onethingiwantfor23 · 05/08/2023 10:13

M&S and Asda do adaptive clothing. Might be worth checking out online to see if they have what you need. A friend of mine has a disabled child who smears at any given chance and she puts him in a swimsuit (the short sleeve/legs with zip up the back type) under his clothes, even for bed. It's the only way they can manage it and he's 13 now. Good luck.

Original poster

Summerton · 05/08/2023 10:23

@80sMum thanks for the advice. It’s hard because nothing I say he understands😔 That’s why I’m a bit stuck on what I can do. But taking what ever he is playing with off him could work. I’ll just have to keep persevering!

I even caught him licking it off his fingers☹️ I’m so new to all of this, it’s so tough!

OP posts:

whoami24601 · 05/08/2023 10:33

Summerton · 05/08/2023 10:23

I even caught him licking it off his fingers☹️ I’m so new to all of this, it’s so tough!

Oh it's grim isn't it! My DS only did it at night but each morning knowing I was going to walk in to a bedroom/ cot/ child covered in poo was soul destroying! The zip up swimming costume idea is a good one. Wish I'd have thought of that!

2reefsin30knots · 05/08/2023 10:39

I think at this stage, finding a way to prevent him getting to his nappy will be easier on you both than trying to teach him to keep his nappy on and not fish in it.

Once you have some communication up and running with him, then you will be able to start teaching.

Are you getting help? Portage or SEND specialist nursery? If I were you I'd push hard for a diagnosis ASAP and start the EHCP process now. If he goes to a specialist school, they will be able to help you toilet train him amongst many other things.

Original poster

Summerton · 05/08/2023 11:00

@2reefsin30knots We have been put on a course called more than words but haven’t got a start date yet. Apart from that, nothing else. He had his 2 year review, failed that so was referred to SALT. I had the first SALT assessment, and they referred him to this course. That’s where I am up to at the moment. Is there anything else that I should be doing in terms of speaking to someone else about him? Like I said I’m new to all of this…feel like I’ve been thrown into the deep end of something I feel so clueless about!

OP posts:

2reefsin30knots · 05/08/2023 11:09

Is he at nursery? If he is, ask for a meeting with the SENCo to talk about getting an EHCP request started.

If he is not at nursery, I would look for a SEND specialist nursery (they are often called 'opportunity groups') and see if you can self-refer. If you can't self-refer, find out from them how you do get a referral. Doing some sessions at the nursery will give you access to experienced professionals who will be able to help you establish some communication etc. They should also be able to help you with EHCP.

Your local Parent Carer Forum might be a useful source of signposting to the services in your area.

Roosmarjin · 05/08/2023 11:27

Don't wetsuits do up at the back? No idea how bulky they'd be though.

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