How to Help a Special Needs Teen Dress Fashionably

Special needs teenagers at the heart are just like every other teen you've ever known -- they want to look good and express their own style. Shopping for your special needs child may be a bit more challenging, but there's no reason she can't look as fashionable as any other girl in school. Like anyone else trying to look good, you have to help your child find clothing that is flattering, that makes her feel comfortable and gives her a chance to express her personality.

Things You'll Need

  • Fashion magazines
  • Printer (optional)
  • Pen

Instructions

    • 1

      Browse teen fashion magazines and websites with your child. Talk about the styles and ask your child what she likes and what she doesn't like so you can get a sense of her tastes.

    • 2

      Let your child know what's off limits, such as T-shirts with expletives or skirts that are too short. You can save a lot of arguments if you set the boundaries from the start about inappropriate clothing.

    • 3

      Circle the outfits you can agree on, or print them out if you're looking on the Internet. Go to a nearby store to try some things on and shop. Bring the fashion images you like so you can look for similar outfits.

    • 4

      Choose some clothing together and have your child try it on. Determine if the clothing is suitable; for example, if your child has difficulty working buttons, then button-fly jeans are probably not a good idea. Look for a similar pair with a zipper or snaps.

    • 5

      Ask your child how the clothing feels. Make sure the fabric and the fit are both comfortable. Have your child move around in the clothing for a few minutes the same way she would move around in a normal day.

    • 6

      Consider altering clothing if it would solve a problem or make it fit better. For example, you may be able take in a seam, shorten a sleeve or hem pants so the clothes will look more tailored on your child's figure. If your child has difficulty grasping a small zipper pull, you can replace it with a large one. If your child struggles with a belt, have a tailor put in an elastic waistband.

    • 7

      Shop for accessories to dress up an outfit. Costume jewelry, scarves, hats, belts, gloves, hair clips and other types of accessories pull an outfit together. Finishing touches elevate an ordinary outfit from being "just something to wear" to "fashionable and fabulous." This is how your child can truly let her personality shine through.

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