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?

I wear their post surgery bras purely because they are really really comfy (FYI I don’t fill out the attached form to claim back VAT!), I hope your friend isn’t upset !

Your friend is a tosser.

DS 10 has ADHD. He has to wear a proper shirt and tie to school. Do they do a version of proper shirts (not polo shirts), as this would be one less thing I'd have to do for him in the morning?

@TheLovelinessOfDemons

DS 10 has ADHD. He has to wear a proper shirt and tie to school. Do they do a version of proper shirts (not polo shirts), as this would be one less thing I'd have to do for him in the morning?

I believe they do! If you mean just plain long sleeved school shirts that is. We always get polos and ds wouldn’t wear a shirt but I’ve seen packs of proper shirts.

You friend is weird, tell her to bog off.

Not sure how to link but it’s these kind of shirts.

The bit that confuses me is that the range isn't actually named as for autistic people. Just those who need it.

It helps your child, carry on.

@TheLovelinessOfDemons

DS 10 has ADHD. He has to wear a proper shirt and tie to school. Do they do a version of proper shirts (not polo shirts), as this would be one less thing I'd have to do for him in the morning?

Yes they do ones that fasten with Velcro

What a great idea. It doesn’t say autism it says easy dressing and adaptive range. My dc is older now but has a physical disability. They would have suited her when younger. It’s not additionally needs top trumps surely the products are designed for anyone who needs them.

Your friend sounds like a twat tbh.

Your friend has some weird ideas, and needs to be a bit more mature, and keep her silly views to herself.

How can we go from 'clothes are just clothes and everyone should wear what they want' to having 'autism clothes'?

You buy the clothes you and your child want to wear

Yanbu.

I say this as a parent of a child with asd and spd.

The more people the better in my mind makes them.moe inclusive.

Your friend is absolutely batshit.

For reference we have 2 autistic dc. It’s amazing that other parents are finding the clothes useful.

I'm autistic and so are my children.

You don't have to be autistic to have sensory issues, and it sounds like they're a godsend because of her eczema.

Friend is a grade a gatekeeping twat.

She's not your friend!

Thanks for making me aware of this range sounds ideal for my sensory avoidant but non ASD etc boy for September when he starts school.

Your “friend” is beyond ridiculous!

Yanbu. Do they do tights / socks without seams? We have big issues with this from our 10 year old. Non autistic.

“Friend” isn’t ND as far as I know but is the type to say her DS is worse than another’s SN because he has asd you know?

She gets a bit funny about my DD using things she perceives to be for those with ASD, my DD sometimes uses a sensory room for example if she’s getting over excited or her speech is suffering because she’s upset but according to friend DD doesn’t need it because it’s for those with ASD.

Thanks everyone I do find the range useful and wished it had been available when I was at school as I used to be a bit funny about labels at the back of my neck.

as well as it guaranteeing a supply because there is a demand there is also the possibility that the more people buy this kind of clothing, the more it is normalised(for want of a better word)

That has to be a good thing no one gets singled out or bullied for wearing this kind of stuff ( and I have to say I’d bloody love to see it normalised in the office. I frequently struggle to concentrate because.. stupid itchy seams and stuff.

Surely the more children that benefit the better. Everyone will be making small choices about adapting even those who are neurotypical. Eg my 4yo struggled with buttons so I picked dresses with zips. Your child has some extra needs and you’re making choices to help her. I can’t understand how anyone could have an issue with that.

Your friend needs to fuck right off and I say that as the parent of a child with ASD. Tell her that ASD, dyslexia, dyspraxia ADHD etc are all linked and there is often some overlap or you can be diagnosed with more than one as my son is. Why would you buying the range of clothing have a negative impact on anyone?? Quite the opposite, if it sells well they're more likely to expand the range. And what about children who are waiting for a diagnosis? are they not allowed to buy from it until their diagnosis come through?

You say she struggles with buttons etc and already I'm wondering if she is also dyspraxic. How is she with blance/riding a bike/skipping with a rope/using a knife and fork/shoe laces?

Your friend doesn't sound like much of a friend. ASD parent here, I cannot imagine why anybody would judge you for buying clothes that make life easier for your child. Tell her to jog on 🙄

I’d start gradually distancing myself from this friend. She sounds exhausting.

Buy the clothes that your child needs and drive up demand for them! It’s not as if they are on prescription.

M&D Adaptive and Skin Kind ranges are exactly what your child needs. No where does it say it's only for kids with ASD.