6 year old with sensory difficulties - I need advice!

[Gagamama2]

Hi all, my 6 year old is currently awaiting assessment as he struggles socially and emotionally at school (and even more at home 😭).

Many of his meltdowns / outbursts / refusals to do things stem from sensory difficulties. In particular we have constant battles with socks, pants, t shirts, jumpers, shoes.

I have spent SO MUCH money trying to find items of clothing he will wear. I literally don't care what he wears to school anymore, it can be anything as long as it's not triggering him. But I can't find anything he is happy in. The closest I've got is Vivobarefoot trainers for school and bamboo seamless socks off amazon, school also let him wear a plain white t shirt instead of a polo shirt as there's less seams around the neck, but all the trousers and shorts he hates, Crocs he hates. I'm literally at my wits end.

It extends into other areas ie half the time we go swimming is spent freaking out about his swimming goggles (of which we have about 10 pairs, none are right). Don't even get me started about skiing, which he loves, but the equipment and clothing is such a headache.

I guess my question is, if a child has some kind of sensory processing disorder, is it unrealistic to expect to find clothes and things that they are ok with? Maybe I'm trying to solve an impossible puzzle?

How much lienance do you give with it, like do you try to solve it constantly for the child or do they have to get on with it? Maybe I'm making things worse giving lots of options?

Any recommdations for socks, pants and shoes especially welcome.

thanks

Have a look at Sensory Smart? Can’t help with shoes sorry.

Does DS manage trousers and shorts outside of school? If so, can he wear those to school as a reasonable adjustment?

Has DS had a sensory OT assessment?

Thank you for the Sensory Smart recommendation. I may try their Seamfree socks...£10 per pair though. Ugh.

Outside of school he doesn't really manage trousers, shorts or anything. His school trousers were actually his fav trousers for a while but now he hates them. He hates jogging bottoms as finds them too soft and fluffy - he says they're "too fizzy". With most other trousers it's the seams around the waist and bum that he can't stand. We have most success with leggings, which he does often wear to school.

He hasn't had a sensory OT assessment I don't think. We've just filled in paperwork for a reugular referral via the SENCO. Who would I talk to about a sensory assessment and what ways would that help?

An OT with sensory integration training, qualifications and experience can assess and support sensory differences.

Not all ICBs commission sensory OT on the NHS. If your area does, it is worth a referral. In some areas, you can self refer. If you can’t, the school or GP will be able to.

If DS has an EHCP, OT can be included in there even if your ICB doesn’t commission sensory OT services. If DS doesn’t have an EHCP, have you requested an EHCNA?

Sorry what is an ICB and an EHCNA? He doesn't have an ECHP yet due to not yet having been assessed (we are waiting). We are saving up at the same time, so will probably end up having him privately assessed in 6 months or so as I can't cope for the next 2-3 years waiting for the NHS diagnosis. DS1 is also waiting in the system and we've heard nothing for 2 years now.

ICB = Integrated Care Board. The NHS organisation responsible for commissioning services in your area.

EHCNA = Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment - the needs assessment first requested as part of the EHCP process. You don’t need to wait for a diagnostic assessment before requesting an EHCP. EHCPs are based on needs, not diagnosis.

My daughter has sensory processing disorder. It was trial and error for us trying to find out what fabrics she could tolerate. Interestingly she used the same term ‘fizzy’ for the fabrics she can’t tolerate, although this was for things like waterproof coats and linings. Primary school wasn’t an issue as uniform there was soft and relaxed. Secondary uniform’s a nightmare.

We had a private OT sensory assessment which was £500. I have found this to be far more useful than the autism assessment. The latter has been pretty useless to be honest and a complete waste of time. The OT assessment was far more thorough and in depth about her sensory challenges and made recommendations for therapy - which we haven’t followed through with as my daughter is coping with the reasonable adjustments her secondary school finally let her have.

sorry, I’ve no recommendations for that clothing as she’s fine with those items! What I have discovered though is that the specialist sensory clothing really doesn’t cover my daughter’s sensory issues!

I’m trying to prepare for a meeting tomorrow so was just reading threads but just came onto say that seemfree socks can be found at the sock shop online. They sell 5 pairs for £4.99
they are the bamboo socks

www.sockshop.co.uk/products/sockshop-plain-bamboo-socks-with-gentle-grip-and-handlinked-toes-black?colour=Black%2520%252F%2520Blue%2520%252F%2520Green

Thank you so much for the link. So reasonably priced