Sensory needs

[PhoebeCat23]

My son has a LOT of difficulties wearing clothing. He has one 'safe' outfit which he tolerates but does not like. School uniform is an utter nightmare and he reports it feeling like ants crawling on his skin. He wears bamboo underwear and socks which he finds comfortable but I can't for the life of me find a plain child's bamboo t-shirt. Lots of baby and adult stuff but very little in-between. Can anyone make any suggestions as to websites/shops that may provide such an item? Or a (very soft) alternative that he may tolerate? Thanks.

It's difficult isn't it. My youngest also cannot tolerate school uniform and like yours needs very soft material, we live in the same outfit and oodies at home. I haven't tried them myself, but have you thought about the brands on the market now specifically for autistic or sensory intolerant kids? Sensory Smart is one, there is another that comes upon facebook now and again as well. I think the individual items are a little more than normal, but they are meant to be soft and seam free so may work for you.

I can’t help with bamboo t-shirts, but have you spoken to the school about adjustments to the school uniform?

The school will permit him to wear a long-sleeved top underneath his P.E. t-shirt and smart black trainers but no other adjustments. It makes me so sad to see him so uncomfortable but if he doesn't go to school because of it, I get into trouble. It's not easy at all. :(

If DS needs more adjustments, the school must allow other reasonable adjustments. To not do so would be disability discrimination.

School absolutely can flex more on uniform. We've found the cheapo ASDA multipacks of tshirts and shorts to be very soft and comfortable once we've taken the label out. And because you buy lots of identical ones - except for the colour - if he is ok with one he's ok with all.

I was thinking that too but because its a secondary school, I'm worried about challenging it. When we first discussed to meet my son's sensory needs, I even suggested wearing something smart but comfortable for him but they said no. As you said, it falls under the Disability Discrimination Act and reasonable adjustments.

Thank you, I shall look at those. 🙂

It doesn’t matter that the school is a secondary school. The Equality Act still applies. They also have a duty under the Children and Families Act 2014 to make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN.