To dress a child who doesn’t have ASD in M+S easy dress/autism clothes?

[NotASDJustLovelyAndClumsy]

As title says really.

DD is 7, and is dyslexic, has DCD, hypermobility and eczema.

She struggles with buttons, she hasn’t got the dexterity in her fingers to do them. She also doesn’t like labels or seems as they irritate her skin and cause it to break out in eczema. So for school where she gets less help with dressing she wears the M+S Easy Dress/Autism trousers or skirt and polo shirts (the ones with Velcro), then an oversized logoed school jumper.

To her she looks just like her friends with a few adjustments that no-one else can see. My DD loves it, the quality is brilliant and I’ve never had any trouble getting hold of it as I order it online although a few times I’ve had to wait for the size I’ve needed as they don’t have it in stock (but I always buy awhile before I need the next size so never an issue)

My friend whose son has ASD says I’m making a mockery of the clothing, it’s not for DD as she doesn’t have ASD and I should leave the clothes for those who need it. She says M+S should ask for proof of diagnosis before selling the items.

AIBU to use it? And if I am where can I get similar uniform that she can wear that isn’t specifically aimed at those with ASD?

Your friend is a knob.

My ds has autism. Doesn't have sensory issues around clothing. Children who do have or have other difficulties with clothing are welcome to his share, if that would make her ladyship happy?

Your friend is bonkers. My DD has ASD and has sensory issues re. clothing, as do lots of other kids. She used to struggle with buttons and zips, as do lots of other kids.

The clothes are there to help any kid who needs them. It’s not a competition to see who needs them the most!

It’s not a competition to see who needs them the most. She sounds like a fr

Your friend is being an idiot. Your daughter has clothing that meets her needs. There is nothing wrong with that.

Your friend is ridiculous, also if others purchase the clothes (even people with no difficulties) that increases demand of autism friendly clothes which benefits asd children as well.

Your friend is being absolutely ridiculous. Carry on buying what your DD will wear, and is happy with.

Whoops…

not sure what happened with that post.

Your friend is talking out of her arse, the clothing is marketed "for children with sensory issues or those who need a little help dressing" which describes your daughter and her needs, nowhere does it say "this clothing is only for children diagnosed with ASD".

Surely the more.people buying the clothes then m&s will produce more clothes

My eldest dd is NT, I buy her the m&s leggings. I don't see the problem, my dd2 hates having seams and labels rubbing and this is exactly what they're marketed for.

Your friend is being a bit precious - the greater the demand, the more likely the range is to continue which will only benefit her DC (and my DS who has ASD) - what a very strange thing to get cross about.

Your friend is bizarre. It’s called the easy dress range, not the autism range. It doesn’t even mention autism on the description of it does it? Sensory needs and those who need a little help getting dressed is what I’m seeing.

Thanks everyone, I also buy the M+S leggings for DD as they're thicker than other leggings and so don't rip if she falls over after one fall, which is brilliant and actually saves me money

I will keep buying, they make my mornings easier as DDs very independent so can do these herself so no morning tantrums.

Your ‘friend’ is being a twat.

You are definitely not unreasonable. Supply and demand. She has a physical disability which means those clothes are more suitable.

It's a bit like a while ago when some people with coeliac complained that those without a formal diagnosis bought gluten free food because it wasn't for them. They don't complain as much now that the mainstream shops all stock lots of different gf foods and other food (e.g. sausages) which never really needed gluten in are more likely to be gluten free.

The more of the clothes which are sold the more they will develop the line and maybe some non uniform clothing will also have more accessible features. Well, hopefully, although it is M&S who aren't always renound for recognising when they are onto a good thing.

@Bumblenums1234

Well the less people who buy it, the quicker the prices jump up or they stop doing the range.

Yanbu to use it, supply and demand, if lots of people buy it, they will make more and most likely widen the range on offer.

Yes exactly.

I have a dd6 with no additional needs who frequently wears autism friendly (usually seamless or super soft) clothes because I had to buy them for her older brother and they’re so expensive they’ve been passed down to her! Now a lot of shops are starting to make wider ranges but when my ds was in nursery I resented paying extra for seamless and super soft clothing. Of course I totally understand why they’re more expensive but if more people buy them and they start making cheaper ranges I won’t complain!

Your friend is being ridiculous.

Does your friend have her own diagnosis of being neuro diverse?

If not she’s being absolute bonkers!

I have never heard anything so idiotic in my life. They're just clothes. Anyone can wear them if they prefer them.

Your child needs and benefits from the range. Any child who needs them should wear them. And as PPs have said, the more the range is purchased the more they’ll produce. YAdefinitelyNBU

Your friend's attitude stinks and M&S can sell to whoever they want to, which is part of the point of being a retailer.

If it make's your daugher's life easier keep right on going and ditch the friend, who sounds like a judgemental bint.

Might be your friend is autistic as well, that is some rigid thinking.

As a parent of 2 children with asd, YANBU. If your dd is happier wearing the clothes and they make life easier for her, then buy the clothes. You would think someone who has a child with asd would be less judgmental.

As the mother of an autistic child - I can safely say your friend is bonkers!

All parents buy the clothes that are best for their child. If that’s the easy dress range then brilliant! The more people rjeu help hopefully the more companies that will make them!

I have DC with ASD and goodness sake she's being ridiculous. It's not exactly a limited resource and you don't have to meet a criteria to buy from this range. If it makes your life easier and your child happier then that's what it's there for!

Your friend is an arsehole.

My DD has eczema and hates labels and tags etc. she's very fussy about the feel of her clothes.

Although she's much older now I would not have hesitated to buy these clothes for her if they helped her in any way.

It's the same as saying an able bodied person can't use a ramp up steps as they are preserved for wheelchair users.

Accessibility changes help everyone.