Clothing for Children With Sensory Issues

Some children are naturally sensitive to certain textures against their skin or certain pressure on their bodies. This hyper-sensitivity can be frustrating for both parents and the child. A little forethought before a shopping expedition will help lessen the frustrations when the child wears the clothes down the road. Find stores that sell clothing that best fits your child's personality. This will ease the dressing experience in the future.

  1. Tags

    • Labels seem to be especially irritating to a child with sensory issues. Many designers and manufacturers have gone to tag-less clothing. Watch for the variety that has the size and information printed with ink onto the clothes. The child won't even know the information is there. Some companies stamp the information with a rubbery paint that will crack and peel with time. This can cause future irritation to the sensitive child.

    Seams

    • Stitching in clothes can be really tricky. Feel all seams carefully in order to avoid prickly situations. Nylon thread will often break, poking the child and rubbing against their sensitive skin. This can cause itching or a rash. Some seams are too tight. Cuffs and necklines with a soft, natural stretch are good. High quality clothes will retain their shape when tugged and pulled. This will prevent the item from stretching out.

    Footwear

    • Socks can be very difficult to find for the discerning child. If they're too tight, too thin, too thick, or too loose, the child won't be able to stand them. Seams in socks cause a whole new set of frustrations. If the seam runs along the end of the toes, the slightest shift will force the end of the sock off the end of the foot. This twist will feel unbearable. If the seam runs over the top of the toes, pressure from the shoes pushing down when tied will also be unbearable. Seamless socks will prevent these unpleasant sensations.

    Weight and Texture

    • Light, airy clothes will suit these children much better than heavy, bulky clothes. Thin, soft sweaters work better than dense or itchy fabrics. Short sleeves that aren't too wide will work a lot better than those that are too long. Some children refuse to wear tank tops or muscle shirts, wanting a bit more clothing on their arms. Tight cuffs can drive them to distraction. Finding the perfect mix can be difficult, but it's possible if you make a list of qualities your child feels most comfortable with.

    Waistband

    • Be careful of the child's preference when choosing a waistband. Make sure it doesn't ride too high. If they have soft pants and don't want their waistband touching their naval, roll the band down. Again, buy lightweight and soft pants and shorts with no tags at the waist. The same caution will serve you well when choosing undergarments for the child.

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