'Muuuuum, it's itchy!' Suddenly, dd hates sleeves and labels. Help!

[EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin]

I'm losing my mind with this.

5yo dd (HFA) suddenly despises wearing sleeves.

This was all fine while the weather was warm, but it's becoming more colder now as we head into Autumn.

I'm trying to get her to wear her cardis and jumpers over her t-shirts (all of which she was fine with up until a month or so ago), but she won't keep them on for more than 30 seconds. She complains they're scratchy and sore.

She's also doing this with her jacket.

I'm absolutely dreading her return to school in a few days. At the shop last week, trying on her uniform, she threw an absolute fit. She said they were scratchy, and was screaming at me to get them off her. Same again with the blazer (which has a satin inside - not scratchy at all).

I've put everything through the wash with lots of fabric softener, tried it on her again today, and she reacted the same way.

Why is she suddenly like this? Is it because she's been living in short - sleeved tees/dresses this summer holiday? Has she 'forgotten' what it feels like to have her arms covered?

Oh - it's labels as well. I've just been called in to cut them off her pj shorts. She's worn them loads of times before, but now the label is suddenly annoying her?

Thanks for the reply, PolterGoose. I think I'll follow her lead then and just put an extra t-shirt on her if she won't wear something long-sleeved.

Really not sure how she'll cope starting back at school though. She has to wear a jumper and a blazer/coat. I might spend the next few days having practice runs, letting her wear the uniform around the house to get used to it (if I can convince her to wear it in the first place).

We have bare arms here too most of winter although if he's out he will see the benefit of a sweatshirt and will keep it on at school. We too have label free clothes. Not very easy when you are trying to put name tags in too.

xx

You may find the fabric softener isn't helping either, DS is sensitive to labels, seams, fabrics and softener.
So I cut out all the labels, his socks were seamless, his sleeves were short.
Secondary gave him special exemption from wearing the school jumper which was harsh and acrylic, he could tolerate the official fleece for a short while. The length of the shirt tucked into his trousers mattered too, long irritated him. Texture was a big part of it as well.
He was very sensitised until he hit puberty, then it decreased by a significant amount. He still can't cope with labels, or softener, but long sleeves, jumpers and tucking things in are no longer problems.
It is a royal PITA, but ' Same again with the blazer (which has a satin inside - not scratchy at all).' won't help you. She's processing things differently to you, so how you feel things and how she does are very different.
I thing forgetting what it feels like, and acclimatising her again to wearing other clothes is a possible answer. It's going to need patience and calm on your part, and an analytical approach.

Thanks polter that's a very good idea.

I have bought DS some polo shirts called skin kind he does seem to like them. There are 2 in the pack the website doesn't make that clear.

here

If sensory issues continue to be a problem you can find a lot of support on Facebook groups about sensory processing disorder. Some children need more support to get used to sensory stimulation, but with practise they can get it.