Complicated tops for autistic DD

[jotunn]

I have a 16yo autistic DD who needs long sleeve tops for school but has huge sensory issues about sleeves over her forearms. Her sensory issues allow her to wear jackets or hoodies, but her sixth form doesn't allow either. She cannot wear long sleeve jumpers, jersey tops or cardigans. At the moment she is managing with plaid shirts but it's going to be too cold for that soon.

She likes baggy and shapeless but is very tiny ( size of an average 12 year old) so is completely swamped by the men's tops she is prepared to consider...

Any suggestions for hood free sensory friendly tops would be amazing

Can she manage an underlayer beneath the plaid shirts? M&S heatgen long sleeve tops, worn inside out, are my cold weather saviours. I wear them under everything. They're really thin and lightweight so feel like nothing when on, especially when inside out so there's no seams touching me.

How about activewear type tops?
From places like ‘Sweaty Betty’ or ‘Lululemon’ some of the styles can be baggy / shapeless or you can size up?
That might be too jersey type material though…

(PS I'm not diagnosed but almost certainly autistic with some mega sensory issues about clothing)

I am the same with long sleeves, I think the only long sleeved top I like wearing is a merino wool mix base layer as it’s really soft, probably not very useful for your dd. I wear hoodies and can tolerate a coat but long sleeved tops are just uncomfortable.

Would whatever she wore last year be an option?

What about ponchos? Kind of a wearable blanket. Can tuck arms in but no sleeves or seams. Feminine but baggy? A lot will
be knitted which she many not like but hopefully you could find something soft and nice.

Thanks - she wouldn't try merino tops today but I will try with a baggy sports top - she gets stressed by fabric touching her lower arms but I think wrists are okay.

Last year she was in school uniform shirts which she hated but put up with, or hoodies with a shirt sleeve tshirt underneath. She can't quite get her head round no school uniform but clothing restrictions...

Does she really need long sleeves? My teenage dd doesn’t seem to feel the cold rarely wore long sleeves even in the winter. They do seem to be hotter and sweatier that us oldies and I remember being similar at that age.

Does the uniform policy actually state long sleeves? I suppose that gets around all the best and crop tops 😆 however it would probably lead to some students overheating.

I would write to the school explaining that she will need some allowances on what she wears.

I would get her heattech with elbow length sleeves to wear under the plaid shirts.

My autistic child can't do jumpers or cardia either.

This isn't thermal but it's bamboo so super soft and has elbow length sleeves

earthwardrobe.com/products/organic-bamboo-scoop-top

Pricey but I find Lululemon good for smart but soft options. . Guessing she needs some kind of smart look to meet uniform requirements.

Very light and baggy bit smartish. DD loves these
www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/back-in-action-long-sleeve-shirt/prod8555454.html

Would a half zip be smart enough but still hoodie material/feel
www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/dynamic-movement-half-zip-pullover/prod11530396.html

Super soft www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/ribbed-softstreme-perfectly-oversized-cropped-crew/prod11380353.html

Would something like this be acceptable? It looks hoodie shaped on the arms to me.
https://gooseandganderltd.com/products/unisex-burgundy-goose-1-4-zip-sweat?variant=40035114713150&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping&utm_campaign=gs-2021-02-12&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkI7nk_3BgQMVihWLCh3shwtBEAQYASABEgKTHfD_BwE

Men's tops in cotton, boil wash them so they fit.

Can she sew? Or willing to learn? If it's soft she wants she could make jumpers out of thin fleece blankets like you can buy in the supermarket.

If she wants baggy on the lower arms and tighter on the wrists it sounds like you want to Google "balloon sleeves".

I am a bit confused as to what the school consider acceptable but something like this might work: Link

Agree you need to contact college Senco to agree allowances. She has a right to this under the Equalities Act.

Would teenager boy shirts do? I wear men's Ted Baker shirts bought cheap from vinted and a size 1 would probably be a nice balance of loose but not swampy. Or a very warm plaid in heavy cotton? Uniqlo do nice warm plaids in men's and women's sizes.

I would insist that they allow her to wear whatever she is comfortable in. It’s disability discrimination to insist that someone wears something that makes them feel uncomfortable and will sacrifice their ability to learn.

If she’s uncomfortable with you speaking to the school, can she not just roll her sleeves up? I can’t bear the feeling of fabric touching my wrists so push everything up to mid forearm/elbow.

Check out Bam. All their clothing is made of bamboo and so is really soft and great for people with sensory sensitivities.

What about pirate sleeves? Or puffed sleeves. You can buy the sleeves to add on to other clothing.

What about a plaid fleece jacket?

Why won't the school accept her need as a reasonable adjustment? I would continue to challenge them on this. Can SENDIAS help?

If she can wear hoodies, can she wear sweatshirts?
e.g. https://www.safetecdirect.co.uk/products/uc202/uneek-uc202-childrens-sweatshirt-300g

Same.

The rules are stupid and she needs a reasonable adjustment.