Clothes for kids with sensory issues

[Skintdancemum]

Got two kids with autism and sensory issues, used to be just socks and tights but now my 5 year old won’t wear anything apart from one dress from primark (last season so can’t get any more 😫). No leggings, trousers, tights etc at all now!

Does anyone have any suggestions for really soft materials with minimal seams on dresses? I have tried Primark and H&H last week with no joy!

White company

Anyone else?! I’m desperate 🤣

Whatever you find buy multiple!
We had success with:
boden pants
sports direct leggings-a type of soft, not too tight material (viscose?)
soft fleece
bamboo socks
fluffy socks
stretchy harem pant style trousers
primark joggers

Good luck! Mine has mostly grown out of it now and wears whatever is fashionable (still likes her fluffy socks though and jeans are a very rare sight!)

You have to keep shopping around I’m afraid as it’s really depends on the kids.

I thought Asda do a sensory/ easy dressing range.

my son has high sensory needs and I can get him changed multiple times in a morning to find something he will accept that day.

We tend to buy from mini Boden, fat face, Fred and Noah, H&M/ next and M&S but he won’t wear everything from those places.

sizing up seems to help a little bit as well.

My DD is the same.
I have to buy tshirt dresses that don't have the seam in the middle, I ordered quite a few from shein which were successful last year. M&S have quite a few in at the minute.
She also likes M&S flares as she says that feel nice and soft.
Other than that I find we just have to hunt for clothes and even then she could change her mind. It's such a stressful task!

One tip that someone gave me (I've never tried it) was filing the seams on the inside of the socks with a nail file.. if you haven't already tried that?

Boden sign up they often have good offers and discount codes and you can sell used on Ebay as they really hold the price.

H&M maybe - Look for natural fibres cotton bamboo jersey etc.

no specifics for that age group, but I have taken to shopping from the loungewear section for my sensory teen.

Mountain warehouse had some amazing soft, really thin fleece jumpers recently. Big display at the front of the store. Also try technical, expensive "wicking" sportswear. The stuff that feels a bit slippery. It's worth trying online specialist sensory clothing stores at this point I think but generally I only buy IRL because the texture is so important.

This level of reactivity could well be a symptom of her not coping more widely, rather than the actual problem. Sometimes the sensory issues solves itself when you reduce demands on something that seems unrelated, like breaktime, school attendance etc.

Also search eczema clothes. They are often seam free and soft (albeit not very interesting!)

I can't help with were to buy but have you thought of looking at sewing sites, as I know many of the people on the ones I go on sew because there children have sensory issues, not saying you have to sew yourself but maybe they could put you in touch with people that to.

Amazing ideas thank you so much! Really appreciate it and I’m willing to try anything!

Could they wear socks inside out? Because the stitching is hidden on the inside, I'm assuming this is the irritating part.

I get Uniqlo thermal tops to wear under things like jumpers and dresses, especially in winter. I've just been on their site and seen they've got a section called AIRism... might be what you're looking for www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/content/airism-kids.html

I'm guessing it's not just soft it's sounds like loose fit too, if so try skater dresses frugi do so nice ones but might be worth sizing up too, otherwise have you looked are the sensory clothing websites search sensory clothes, sensory seam free or some m&s and asda make easy on and adaptive fit clothes, my boy will only wear legging tights can't bunch up both need to be soft, socks need seams over toes not at the end or no seams, jumpers need popper or zip so easy on without touching ears, my daughter needs loose fit soft material no tags skater dresses only, and if she dosent like wearing knickers try boy or girls boxers (boys are better for my girl she doses like them cutting in)

I went trough loads of different things trying to find what works the best thing I found was to start writing notes on seams, feeling of fabrics kids behaviour towards fabric (like pinching, spinning, stroking) & label placment, to give me ideas on want my two will wear eventually you will see a pattern like only dresses that she can spin in or only washed in a paticular soap, or only short sleeves

Then you have confort and you can add for warm so tights for the squeeze feeling and tracksuit pants for warmth

Othwise take them shopping let them pick and get them to try it on don't worry about if you like it, my son loves leggings in tie die patterns at the minute my daughter likes dinosaurs tracksuit bottoms with a dress on top

One over thing to thing off if you child is a stripper of clothes is something like this https://amzn.eu/d/f8aVv6E at lease they can take it off while your trying to work out what they will wear and you can get long leg sleeved too

Have you looked for that dress on ebay and vinted? In your situation, I have had amazing success finding replacements/additional items on there.