Uniform advice for dyspraxic child

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Thank you in advance to anyone with advice...

My 5 year old son appears to be dyspraxic (no official diagnosis, he has been assessed and is receiving therapy). I am from the UK but living overseas, so the systems are probably a bit different. He is doing very well with his therapy but there are some things he will just always find really hard. It really affects his self-esteem which is heartbreaking to see.

He is due to go into uniform shortly, which includes a white buttoned shirt, shorts with zip and buttons, lace-up shoes, and a tie. I would love for him to be able to wear the normal uniform as he is embarrassed and just wants to fit in. Has anyone got any advice on tricks to help him manage this, or anything I can buy to make it easier? I can order online in the UK for family to bring over, and have fairly basic sewing skills for DIY options.

Thanks again!

Hi OP good to get prepared. I used to spend ages moving buttons and sewing Velcro onto school shirts.
You can buy sensory/ adaptive clothing now.
For the tie often these are available on elastic for Primary school. If not or for when he’s older you can tie it, cut and sew at the back and add Velcro.
For shoe laces ( if they won’t allow Velcro shoes) you can get spiral laces.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-boys-adaptive-easy-to-iron-shirts/p/clp60449909?color=WHITE&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_school_ch__-UK-_-_baussc&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=20158573145&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19973632483&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bThwuoPz7IpW4l__N1edGlVD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7_fooOCjkAMVGZlQBh2gZjy0EAQYAiABEgJF1fD_BwE

https://www.theshoelace.co.uk/products/vizi-coil-elastic-no-tie-shoe-laces-black-sh-vizi1l?variant=44151596679317&currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22688559330&gbraid=0AAAAAD7zzxe1Phm_N24UwDh1AXH24EGIp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqP6S1uCjkAMVTodQBh2L7TqbEAQYAyABEgLhRfD_BwE

White buttoned shirt - as pp suggested, you can you get easy dressing shirts. With normal shirts, some find only undoing enough buttons to be able to take it off over their head like a T-shirt works for them.

Shorts - you can also get easy dressing shorts. Or even if not in an easy dressing range, you can you get ones that have a mock button/zip but with an elasticated waist? Or if preferred/possible adapting the shorts that are part of the school’s uniform range by making it an elasticated waisted and leaving the button/zip fastened.

Laces - you get elasticated laces. Although they don’t work for all. Not just the type linked to by pp, but you can also get ones with a toggle if that would work for DS.

Tie - is this a normal tie or a clip on or elasticated or velcro? If a normal tie, would tying it, sewing in place, snipping the back of the neck and adding velcro.

Thanks both of you, that is really helpful! I will order the laces linked and also with a toggle and look for the adaptive shirts and shorts. It's a standard tie so thank you for the velcro idea!

If there is a short-sleeved option for the shirt, go with that. If not, then change the cuff buttons onto elastic thread so they don’t need to be undone.

Cut a sticker in half vertically and stick one half inside each shoe so when they are side by side they create the whole picture and can be put on the correct feet.

Have plenty of spare hats and gloves as they will always go missing on the coldest days. (Substitute this advice for plenty of sun hats if you’re in a hot country).

Don’t send yoghurt in for packed lunch - it’s too easy to spill it down themselves!