HELP! Child complains about shoes every time we want to go out - even their once beloved crocs are declared uncomfy! (Even though they fit fine)

[DryadsRest]

please hit me with your suggestions!

Please can you help me out with suggestions for children’s shoes for a child with very wide sensitive feet and a high instep
who used to be absolutely fine in crocs but now insists these are too narrow and don’t like the feel of them touching the top of their feet
Even though to my untrained eye looks like there’s plenty of room in them!

they are 11 uk size 3 or 4

we’ve already tried Clarks but their shoes are generally not soft enough…..

Have you tried barefoot shoes?

Has DC had a sensory OT assessment and do they have any ongoing input?

thank you so much for your reply. I had not considered that this was something an ot could help with. Have been meaning to arrange a private ot once got some money saved up for a different issue! I guess I better hurry up!

bare foot shoes have been tried but these were second hand from vinted as reluctant to buy new shoes again for cost reasons as may need to try a few different pairs in order to find the right ones!

OT can help with sensory issues. Not all OTs have training, qualifications and experience of sensory integration so make sure whoever you use does.

Does DC have an EHCP?

Not yet am at very early stages have contacted La to request assessment, have nhs Sen diagnosis and ep report,, just bit overwhelmed by other reports and appointments required to back up our case, plus extent of child’s needs is becoming more apparent than it was ( have a masker)

the ot I’m supposed to be contacting for report is well regarded for sen kids in our area - I will contact them at least I can ask about a specific issue now instead of only saying I’m worried about their physical health! I’ll check they do sensory integration as well!

Thank you again

If the LA agree to assess, an OT assessment, including the sensory integration side of things, can be part of the EHCNA. And if you get an EHCP, ongoing OT support (including the sensory side of things) can be in the EHCP.

Although a good independent assessment will be more in-depth.

If you are going down the EHCP route but also want to get independent assessments, make sure whoever you use has experience of writing Tribunal standard reports.

Thank you for your excellent advice, must admit even though I’m expecting tribunal (the EP said it would most likely get that far) had not thought about making sure I use assessing people who can support me further down the line at tribunal stage

It's not always just sensory. Quite often shoes not feeling right can be down to anxiety about transitions and the child trying to regain control. I'm not saying the sensitivity isn't real, I'm saying it's likely more pronounced/ becoming exacerbated by stress. I've had this for years with 9yo dd. She definitely has a huge amount of tactile sensitivity, but when once-comfy shoes fall out of favour it's usually because either something has changed with the shoe (seams on the sole lifting up from wear and tear etc) or something has changed in her environment to make her less tolerant to something she'd normally be fine with. Dd has literally been unable to leave the house on occasions when she was very little because none of her shoes felt right. Even now, it takes us hours to find exactly the right shoes when shoe shopping. And sometimes those 'perfect' shoes are no longer tolerable.

Socks can also make a big difference to how shoes feel.