"Itchy" clothes

[Lolaismyfavouriteandmybest]

I know a lot of us have to deal with sensory issues with clothes so I was wondering if any of you have words of wisdom for me today.

Dd goes dancing on a Saturday morning. It is helping hugely socially as her dancing had been previously modelled on the teletubbies and made her stand out as being very different. But she's having issues with the leotard. It's the same one she's worn for a year and doesn't seem too small but now it's "ITCHY" and she's going into meltdown as soon as it goes on. We are taking her in it to class anyway (usually forgetting her tap shoes in all the commotion) and once the music starts she's fine. And quite often after class she throws a strop about not taking the bloomin thing off! But she's not willing to try to ignore the itch before class.

She does want to do the class (even though she screams blue murder that she doesn't every Saturday morning!)

My DM (who I'm increasingly relying on to get us there as its too far to work, I can't drive and Dh is working shifts) says she will have to stop going if this carries on but to me the message that will send is that dd can get out if a situation she doesn't like by fussing about it. If dancing goes then all the other activities will go like dominos as there are sensory issues with rainbows uniform, swimming goggles etc.....

Shouls say Dd is 5 with ASD and a visuall impairment

www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/touch-sensitivity.html

DS has had a problem with tactile sensitivity for years - labels, seams, textures - don't mention 'socks' - at least DD only goes to dance once a week but socks have to be worn every day at school - cue a meltdown every day for years.

Try the above site - useful practical advice on what to do in the present and what to do to de-sensitize. Don't stop activites -reduce sensitivity.

Thanks. Will look at the link when I'm not using my phone.

We had the sock thing too. We still have to put her socks on and get the seems just right or she melts down but because it's an every day thing she is improving slowly. It's the clothes she only wears occasionally which are getting rejected out right.

What washing powder are you using? Has the manufacturer changed the 'recipe' for it recently? Are you adding conditioner? Has the washing machine been changed?
I find that material that's been washed a lot changes texture - becomes more 'bobbly' and it starts to hurt, so it could be that too.
Tricky people, aren't we

Yes

my youngest takes 10 minutes to put a pair of socks on! inside out with the seams lined up just right.

He's also the worst of the two for clothes generally. He's got a wardrobe full of clothes but will only wear the same few items over and over again. He refuses all others, calling them "scratchy" and throwing them on the floor. Labels are another big issue.

I think amber is probably right, after a year's worth of washing, it will feel different and that may be it.

Not convinced its changed with washing tbh. Dh is a sensitive skinned soul so can't change brand of washing powder and use most hypoallergenic there is. No sign of bobbling and it's that synthetic Lycra stuff that doesn't really roughen.

I think its more likely anxiety related. She's had a dancing exam and now they are learning new dances....

We've talked about it after she calmed down and dd has agreed to try moisturising her skin to see if that is more comfortable (she has a fear of creams in sun tan lotion so this may or not happen or help.) she wants to go and hates me forgetting her shoes (which happens when her meltdowns fry my brains) so says she will try to work on it..... It's heartbreaking when we talk about it afterwards as she really wishes she could cope better

Seamless socks!!! You might have changed our lives!!

Interesting about anxiety related. DS2 has eczema and some issues with clothing, but I've noticed he is much more agitated about tags in the clothing when he is overwrought or stressed than at other times.

As the mum of a permenantly 'itchy' child I completely sympathise!

We find layering helps. Is there a swimsuit she particularly likes, or do you have any of those bodysuit vests that can go underneath. Sometimes wearing 3 pairs of vest/pants helps [sounds so bizarre to write that - only this board understands!]

Also, although it might feel like it still fits, could you try the larger size? Everything DS wears is baggy [age 6 but often wearing age 8-9 just to make sure nothing rubs or touches]

DS has to wear all-in-one suits with scratch mitts to stop him tearing himself to pieces at night but during the day as long as it's huge we seem to vaguely manage.

Good luck.

There are seamless socks?! Bloody brilliant! Where from?

oh thank you you said sensory smart before I don't know why I didn't realise it was the brand

just googled. it looks FAB!

Sounds a bit odd ... But could you start the dance music earlier?. Before you leave... Before you get in the car? Could she have her dance music on in the car?
Ds has lots of these sensory issues about clothes... And the getting him out of the door wearing the offending item was always a big difficulty. He always hated having to put things on early in preparation for something... Particularly if he was just then waiting to start.Sometimes though it had to be done... And if I put the item on ages earlier and sort of semi started the activity, he could cope with the concept and relax a bit... Coz then it seemed more acceptable to him somehow.

Re the seamless socks: the best ones we found are those made by Pex. They have a much finer, almost imperceptible seam compared with other seamless brands we also tried. www.pex-kids.com/section.php/7/2/school_socks

another link here to source for cotton leotards www.dancewear-footlights.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Leotards.html in case it's the material that is the issue?