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Button phobia?

1 reply

gail1471 · 09/11/2013 18:39

I would like some advice on whether I should seek medical help for my 9 year old daughter. Since she was about 2 she refused to wear anything with any type of button on it and this has developed into her really not liking buttons to the extent that she won't eat anything if anyone in the room has a button on their clothing. She even takes her brothers shirt upstairs as she doesnt like the thought of it being in the lounge when she is eating in the kitchen. In cafes, the puts a row of menus in front of her to shield her view of other people who are wearing button. She tolerates her school shirt but takes it off as soon as she comes home and it has to be out of sight in the wardrobe when she goes to bed. She constantly pulls her school shirts off their hangers and we find them in the bottom of the wardrobe. I'm concerned that as she gets older she will find social situations difficult and other children will cause her problems. I've looked it up and it is a fairly common phobia. She also has co-ordination problems that are suspected of being due to dispraxia but the consultant wasnt very helpful and didn't seem very interested in making a diagnoses. She is ultra sensitive to the feel of other clothes and hasnt worn trousers or leggings for years as she doesnt like the feel of them. It's a total battle getting her to wear socks as she says they are uncomfortable. She gets very frustrated with herself and is prone to outbursts of anger but this seems to be improving with age. The button thing is my main concern but I feel that the doctors might not take my concerns seriously. Any thoughts?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CatHackney · 09/11/2013 21:30

I think you should go see your GP and discuss the button phobia as well as your other concerns about her at the same time. I can see why you might worry that people won't take buttons seriously, but it's clearly a phobia that is causing problems for her and the rest of the family.

I am by no means an expert on these matters, but the hypersensitivity to the feel of things (along with frustration and outbursts of anger) is known to be one of the symptoms of Asperger's, which is often missed in girls. You might have a look on this website and see if any of it seems to resonate with you: www.myaspergerschild.com/2010/09/aspergers-and-sensitivity-to-touch.html

In any case, if you say to your GP that you're concerned your daughter may have Asperger's, he or she will certainly have to take your concerns seriously - and may well conclude that she doesn't.

I hope that helps. In any case, I think that the answer is a resounding yes, you should get your GP to address your concerns.

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