Dressing techniques for sensory differences

Children may find dressing difficult due to sensory differences such as touch (e.g. finding materials sensitive on the skin) or movement processing (e.g. finds bending over difficult to tolerate), or proprioceptive processing (e.g. unsure where their body is in space).

Here are some strategies that you may find helpful in enabling your child to dress.

Sensory strategies

• Try to detect what the issue is…. are the labels rubbing? If so remove them
• Be conscious of sensitivities regarding texture; buy clothes that you know your child will like (it is
  more valuable for your child to be at school in an uncoordinated outfit feeling calm, than to have
  your child at school looking beautiful and upset)
• Stick to familiar, acceptable clothing and gradually introduce new garments for short periods
• Try tight clothing or Lycra under normal clothing
• Try seam free clothing, this is available commercially
• Try washing clothing before your child wears it
• Wear undergarments inside out to prevent scratching seams and tags
• Increase hat tolerance through massage of the scalp and putting the hat on in front of the mirror
• Be aware of the environment, is it too noisy or too distracting, can this be minimalised to make
  dressing easier
• If your child has sensitive feet, let them wear socks inside out and wash shoes to make them soft
  prior to wearing them
• Try laced shoes because they can be more effectively tightened
• Loose fitting, slip on shoes may work better for those that dislike socks and shoes
• Cut labels out of clothing
• Wash clothes in unscented detergent
• Dry clothing with unscented fabric softener
• Choose softer fabrics like fleece, rather than rigid items like denim
• Be conscious of noises from buckles and overall straps
• Be sensitive to the length of sleeve and trouser leg your child prefers
• Ensure that the garment fits well; that it is not cutting into the skin when your child assumes
  another position