What to Do If Your Child Is Sensitive to Seams and Clothing Tags
As you know, small children are difficult to dress. Any parent who ran into a naked child six minutes before he was supposed to be at the bus stop can attest. It may happen that the child is very picky or behaves out of disobedience, but what if it is something more? What if the problem is seriously affecting your family?
On one online forum, a mother complains that her five-year-old throws a tantrum whenever he has to wear shoes. Another parent struggles with a child who refuses to wear socks because they are “in pain.” I’ve read stories about children crying when a tiny tag is left on their pants, or wearing only one very specific piece of clothing every day. Some children cannot function if the shirt is too tight or too loose, or if it has a button on it, or if the sleeves are closed with cuffs. For moms and dads who have tried everything from timers to timeouts, this can be maddening.
A mother named Joyce Slayton spoke in heartbreaking detail on parenting in The Longest Fastest Time, as she tried to put a shirt on her then-baby Violet when they were in the library. “It was as if she had been electrocuted,” she says. “She has convulsions on my arm.” The battle continued until the child simply decided to stop wearing clothes altogether. For a whole month she went naked, and all this time they never left the house.
More than stubbornness
If a child says that his clothes “hurt”, “bite” or “burn”, this cannot be an exaggeration. Instead, she may have had a sensory processing disorder (SPD). Neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, who was a pioneer in sensory processing, explained that SPD is like a neurological plug that prevents parts of the brain from receiving what is needed to correctly interpret sensory information. Children with the disorder cannot simply cope with it. The researchers argue that SPD is a separate disorder independent of autism or ADHD, although it has not yet been recognized as such. (It is worth noting that SPL manifests itself in different ways – for example, while one person may find certain clothes and other “tactile sensory inputs” unbearable, another may not respond to stimulation, even very hot or cold stimuli.) One study found … they may affect at least 1 in 20 children.
“It’s important for parents to understand that it’s not about rebellion,” says Susan G. Groener, author of Parenting: 101 Ways to Shock Your World . “ For kids with sensory problems, anything that is tactile can be extremely uncomfortable,” she tells me. “If you don’t have that, it’s hard to understand.” According to her, the main thing is patience and compassion.
If you think your child may be showing signs of a sensory processing disorder, it is best to have a trained professional evaluated. Treatment may include occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach . As for Slaton’s daughter Violet, after four months of therapy, which included exercises such as popping bubbles with one finger and swinging on a swing set, she was able to wear clothes.
Sensory clothing companies
Along with treatment, parents are turning to sensory clothing to make their children more comfortable with sensitivities. Previously, you could only buy these items through specialized companies, but now they are more widely available at large retail stores. Here are a few collections to watch out for:
Target
Target’s Cat & Jack line includes an ever-growing selection of sensory products . All tops, bottoms, dresses and swimwear have heat transfer labels and flat seams instead of tags. Any graphics on their T-shirts are one-dimensional – you won’t find unnecessary pom-poms, sequins or textures that can irritate sensitive kids. Prices are great (T-shirts range from $ 5 to $ 10), so you can stock up on the basics.
Zappos Adaptive and PBS Kids
This new line of sensory apparel on Zappos.com features reversible shirts with a loose neckline, flat seams and tear-off tags that dissolve in water to eliminate residue. Everything is made from a super soft cotton blend fabric.
SmartKnit
Socks and underwear can be a serious problem for children with sensory problems. SmartKnitKIDS makes seamless socks, underwear and bras completely free of seams and any other “unevenness”.
Other companies that parents have found success with include Primary , Hanna Andersson, and Boden . Another tip: With socks and underwear, some kids will find them bearable if they wear them inside out.
More Tips
Consider the natural consequences. For children you believe have no sensory problems, allow them to experience the natural consequences of not wearing certain clothes. If they cannot wear a shirt, they cannot go out and play with their friends. If they don’t wear socks, their shoes will be uncomfortable. “Don’t put too much emphasis on it,” says Groener. “Don’t let this turn into a tug of war. State the reason the person wears socks. Then leave it to your child for a while. Most likely he will return.
Set up procedures. Most likely, it will turn into a battle if the children have to rush to get dressed. Start the process early. Have your child choose their clothes the night before and suggest options to help them feel responsible.
Let them be at home (no pants). Let the house be a sometimes naked sanctuary, writes blogger MamaPlusOne , whose son Zach has clothing problems. “At home, we can be our true versions of ourselves, and for Zach, this version of himself, this true essence of who he is, is unmatched. And that’s okay. “