Autism and clothing

Hello all,

I'm a fashion student studying in Wales and I hoped to make clothing that would benefit school aged children with autism. I wanted to know what are the things you look for in particular with clothes? Are there sensory toys that help? Are there particular colours that are favoured? I also wanted to know the things to avoid with clothing. I'm making these clothes with the goal of that they'll be easy to put on/off, won't over stimulate and hoped to make them so they're calming to wear/help with sensory issues.

Many thanks,

Anna

Parents
  • I would say it could be as much about the construction as anything else, materials, seams and stitches have bothered me to some extent. I'm not a fan of manmade fibres apart from some UnderArmor stuff and some breathable fabrics, it just feels wrong, but I can't be more specific than that. I often feel seams and stitching if they aren't done right, I wear Levi's jeans and can wear Hugo Boss, but for most other brands I can feel the seams down the inside and outside of the leg rubbing against my skin. I find twin needle stitching much better, also taped seams on jackets.

  • Similar thoughts as said, seams are a nitemare , I wear most of my socks inside out as the seam along the toes is so uncomfortable and rubs and irritates my toes,

    I cannot understand that something made for humans has a big seam and for looks alone must be inside,

    I often say” well if you buy a thick pair of leather driving gloves then the seams are outside running along the fingers, you wouldn’t have those seams inside would You?

    All labels I remove as I feel the edges and some are so sharp on the corners, 

    I don’t  Like nylon type fabrics as I feel the stickiness or clingy sensation in my skin, as well as a feeling of electric or static,

    Thick socks with lines running up them are horrible, working outside always means me wearing thick socks and boots, not good but ok once my feet are so numb from cold or pain that I can no longer feel the sensitive feelings.

    I cannot wear denim jeans or similar as the coarseness rubs my skin, and the thick seams are always digging into me. That point at the back which is gathered just below the middle belt loop is about ten layers of denim thick? Which digs into my lower spine,

    I like natural materials,wool,cotton,

    I feel hemmed in with tight fitting clothes, thin legged trousers a no no,

    I hate wearing belts as they dig into my hips, I am very thin, 9 1/2 stone,

    I have heard many younger children like heavy but loose fitting vests! Weighted to give comfort a bit like a hug maybe, 

    As said all children are individual, so variety is key to success, I am sure you will become more aware as you research just what fabrics are liked more.

    sensitivity may be key to a lot of the choices,

    Well done you for researching and trying to give good clothing to the young and it will be much easier for the parents if the child is happier to.

    hope you succeed in your venture.

    x()x

  • Thank you for the useful information! I've purchased some fleece fabric samples as I know this has been used in some clothing. I'll look into getting some cotton and wool samples too. I've heard that bamboo cotton is meant to be good. Thank you again! I'll definitely keep that in mind :-) 

Reply
  • Thank you for the useful information! I've purchased some fleece fabric samples as I know this has been used in some clothing. I'll look into getting some cotton and wool samples too. I've heard that bamboo cotton is meant to be good. Thank you again! I'll definitely keep that in mind :-) 

Children
  • Bamboo fabric is great (environmentally it's amazing compared to cotton, it's got good antibacterial properties and is soft and durable), but it's also expensive, per sq meter up to ten times similar cotton. You can stitch, but and work it in the same way as you can with cotton though. 

    Fleece fabric is great if it's natural, man-made fleece fabric is often heat cut when being made into garments, this melts the edge which is great in that it stops it fraying, but also makes it scratchy so if doing this make sure you use taped inner seams, specifically on the arms and cuffs where people may be wearing a T-shirt or polo shirt so their skin would be exposed to the seams.