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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Camping and clothes!

19 replies

debs40 · 29/06/2009 12:02

We're going camping this summer!

Ten days in Cornwall in August.

Big problem is ds and his clothes - sensory issues (we're on waiting list for OT). We are down to one pair of acceptable socks, three pairs of pants and three acceptable t-shorts at the moment but absolutely NO shorts!

I would like to gently start trying to work towards introducing at least another pair of socks. Bribery and corruption have not worked so far but the current ones have holes and the situation is getting critical!!

Any ideas for introducing gradual changes of cclothes? I know he'd actually be much more comfortable in shorts but how do I get him to even try them on??

OP posts:

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 12:18

Hi debs,
Is a colour or comfort thing with the clothes?

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 12:27

I think it is a comfort/routine thing. He just doesn't like change

OP posts:

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 12:31

The reason I ask is we went to a NAS HELP conference last week and they mentioned a place you can get seamless socks whcih may be more comfortable if he is hypersensive to seams/labels etc.....

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 12:34

These are the two websites they mention in their literature:

www.cosyfeet.com and www.healthyshoes.co.uk

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 13:09

Thanks bunny - will have a look !

OP posts:

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 13:13

They seem to be for adults - he is still in children's size 10-11 and likes them really snug!!

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troutpout · 29/06/2009 13:18

Gawd...Socks are a nightmare to ds. Actually camping is the only time i let him go without.He just wears sandals all the time.
He will wear thick socks (if it's cold) as long as they are super loose. I get mens ones for him....and even his normal socks have to be superloose.
He won't wear wellies...but will wear walking boots. He moans and refuses but then will allow me to put them on. I have a deal that if if he still is in 'pain' after 15 mins then he can take them off. I think he has only done this once.I try to get him to remember that he wore them before and that he was ok with them...he can't seem to do this though...i reckon it will take another 100 or so experiences of them for it to sink in.They need to become 'routine'

I found with tops that if i put them on him and then gave him a rather firm cuddle...he seemed to get over that horrible feeling of the surface of the material in contact with his skin.

Is your boy verbal Debs?...can you find out what it is about the clothing he doesn't like/finds uncomfortable?. Once i could understand this...i could make choices that he would tolerate. Ds doesn't like seams near his shoulders.

Ds won't wear short shorts...but will wear 3/4 length trousers...they also need to be called 'cut off trousers' or '3/4 length trousers' otherwise he will hear the word 'shorts' and refuse.
It is easier just to refuse rather than have to think or panic that someone may ask you to do something that you find really hard to deal with i guess.

We camp a lot ...mostly try and get away for most of the summer hols.

Have you camped before with your ds? Is he used to the tent? Has he been inside?
Ds laid waste to our first few trips camping when he was younger. He loves it now though ....It has a lot ritual about it i guess.He's used to what happens when we go camping. He is still better with a longer trip than a short one...and he still finds the first 2 days of any holiday hard.
I think it's good to pitch the tent in your garden and let him play in it if you can (we couldn't..garden is tiny).
How old is your ds..can he read? can you show him pics of where you are going...the toilet block/fields/play area...perhaps a map?.Ds studies the satnav on journeys too...it helps to make sense of what is happening. This is pretty much our routine when going anywhere.

How is he with insects?

Ds isn't good with creams but wears an arnywear cloth (around wrist or attached to belt loop) to deter mosquitos and will wear a hat in the sun.He will tolerate foaming suncream that you only put on once or a sunstick.

Hope you have a lovely time...and remember to persevere!

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 13:19

Oh sorry. That was a bit daft then as the seminar was for parents of children between 4 and 16 recently diagnosed with ASD, you'd think they wold reccomend kids stuff!

troutpout · 29/06/2009 13:21

Did you find the help course useful bunny?
(sorry for hijack debs)

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 13:30

Try this site debs www.sockshop.co.uk/by_type/specialist/seamless_toe/kids/index

Hi Trouty, yes it was. I started a thread before I went so will pick it up again and enlighten you!!

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 13:35

Thanks guys!

Really interesting to read your post too troutpout. I can totally see what you mean about building up experiences and about calling them cut-offs - great idea!!!
DS is 6 and verbal. He hates seams around the collar but a top which has been ok can be rejected as he whittles the choices down to 2 or 3 'safe' ones. He jJust can't stand the thought of trying anything but his usual stuff. It is part sensory and part routine I'm sure.

We camped last year and he loved it. He has got much more hung up on routines since then though.A trial run is a great idea!

I'm hoping I can just leave him to be bare foot and as near naked as he wants to be most of the time. I bought him special 'army shorts'from Boden which he liked the look of but I can't get them near him. He cries like his heart is broken when he thinks I'm trying to make him put them on him

On the plus side, DS will have the foaming suncream too. It's amazing what a relief it is when you find these things out!

OP posts:

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 13:37

Cheers bunny will have a look

OP posts:

troutpout · 29/06/2009 13:40

Yes...it was me on it ..Jonathonripplesnipples
I forgot i namechanged

troutpout · 29/06/2009 13:49

Bunnyrabbit... just thought..go through your pics of the last camping holiday with him too. descibe all the things in the pictures.
This really helps ds too.
We got a new weekender tent and went away in it for the first time this weekend. I fretted about it and in the end I bought one with the same layout as our bigger one (plus the obligatory insect nets). He was absolutely fine with it (couldn't find it on way back from toilets though!)

bunnyrabbit · 29/06/2009 13:50

LOL how can you forget a name change like that!!

Just a thought debs, but you can get zip off camping trousers (had some last year for DS1 from GAP) and some trousers which roll up and you have a tab which buttons up IYKWIM. Not sure if either of these would be a solution.

flyingmum · 29/06/2009 18:21

How about those stripy baggy shorts from Boden. They come up really long - just above ankle length to mid calf and are in a very soft jersey material. OR what about Boden short pyjamas - they are thick enough to pass as shorts and are really soft.

Does he have a favourite character which they put on socks - the appeal might outdo the newness. Also is it worth buying some socks and washing them lots and lots and just keeping them in his drawer so he gets the smell of them or putting them on teddy's feet (or favourite cuddly).

Good luck.

magso · 29/06/2009 18:44

Ds ( now nearly 10) is similar but will wear roll up trousers though they have to be on initially at full length. He is also happy to wear old trousers that have taken on a NormanWisdom 3/4 length ( as long as the waist is not tight). I have just got him wearing long swim shorts ( he is too tall for the all in one spfsuits favoured up till now) - which is a real step forward! Wondered if any of these things might work for your ds too.

PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot · 29/06/2009 18:56

DS3 also has problems with clothes, he went to school in a jumper today and a coat because I can't get him to not do so (thankfully he's in an SNU now so they get what's going on)

I've found that getting him to choose from a very minimal selectione ach day helps (either or type thing), and he has sensory therapies from both BIBIC and his OT just involving amssaging with different etxtures and temperatures, that sort of thing.

DS1 does the shorts thing; as he 's older he just swaps out of them as he knows that i cant make him change back (he's 9 and strong)

both have ASD's

A lot of ds3's trousers are longer ones that have buttons we can clip up- theya re handy, Next and Boots (age dependant obv) do them often. Also I find very light fabric trousers are actually good in the summer, as they provide sun protection but are still cool.

You might look at BIBIC as they are excellent with this sort of thing for the long term (they take undiagnosed and diagnosed kids from dyslexia onwards) and have a website)

When we camp I find it's quite easy to wash stuff out (site dependant obv) and dry it- plus if its nice and grassy no shoes or socks can be fine, or those little nylon swimming shoes (or crocs; ds1 loves crocs as they fit so loosely)

Original poster

debs40 · 29/06/2009 19:11

Thanks guys. Some great suggestions there. I am going to copy and print them all out and get to work over the next few weeks!!

OP posts:

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