Clothes

I am an adult with Aspergers but I have issues with clothing but am used to most people describing it as one of my oddities. I've never liked to wear fitted/skintight clothing and feel horribly suffocated in it but yet I don't like to have my skin exposed to the air either so I'm usually the girl you'll see in a huge baggy jumper in the summer.

It's interesting to see so many people mention socks being a difficulty because it's definitely an issue for me. I wouldn't wear ankle socks as a child because I didn't like where the seams dug in and I never wore the kids 'fun' socks that would have a pattern on them because the pattern was uncomfortable. I found that I had less difficulties with thicker socks and slouchy socks that didn't have such restrictive elastic.

I would often wear no t-shirt when inside as we now have Double Glazing at our home and I often walk barefoot most times too.

When I was a child I also got fierce itchy when labels were on the clothes.

I have heard a solution to sock problems, try turning them inside out so the the seams are on the outside (maybe avoiding them "hurting"), this may or may not work, but might be worth a try.

Is it that he is puzzled about how they work, and perhaps would like to opperate them himself, but can't. I cannot imagine that he could be afraid of them, so maybe he is aware that other people can use them, but not himself.

The world is a complex place for any child, and they do get some strange issues.

My 4 year old will not wear anythign with buttons on.  He also backs away or won't look at anyone else wearing clothign with buttons on.  I have no idea what to do other than not to buy any clothing for him and to warn people he may spend a lot of time with (school, friends and family) that this bothers him so much.

I am the opposite and like to be well covered up - it makes me feel well wrapped and secure. I hate bare feet and sandals; my feet are quite sensitive to cold air.

Hi stephp, I'm retired and rarely wear socks at home, unless my feet get really cold. I cannot bear hot feet and frequently uncover them in the night.

I still cut some labels out of clothes and avoid synthetic fabrics.

Girls used to just wear knee length socks with dresses/skirts in the winter. Tights and leggings are a modern thing. For children who run around outside, they are possibly unnecessary. Boys used to wear shorts all the year round, and I have met children and adults who prefer shorts whenever posible.

Similar with hats. Lots of children, and me, hate hats. Unless the child is feeling cold, why not just carry these in reserve, for when they feel the need.

For a child in a pushchair, perhaps a small blanket to cover the legs would be prefferable.I

Thank you for all your replies , when we are at home I leave him to strip off if that's what he chooses , and have started to just put his coat in car and put it over him rather than him wear it if he chooses not to wear it , I'll look more closely into the materials when buying for him in future thanks again x 

I was that child! Vividly remember too-tight coats, horrid sock seams, scratchy labels, itchy tights with the crutch wriggled down to my knees, sweaty fabrics, and [horror of horrors] nylon sheets. 

Haven't changed much. Have learned there is no point shopping in cheapo high street shops. Find lots of bargains online and places like TK Maxx though, for similar price. 

On the positive side, I can usually tell without trying something on whether it is going to fit and/or be comfortable, and can whiz round clothes shops faster than most blokes!

When I was a child I found that some clothing did hurt, specifically seams, tags and scratchy material. I would pull off shoes and socks at every opportunity as they were too constricting. Its still the first thing I do when I get home.

IMHO best to let the child wear what they are happy in and help choose clothes to buy.  I was constantly miserable in clothes that caused me pain and discomfort. There was one t shirt in particular that felt like I was wearing a Brillo pad. It can be hard for NT people to grasp how distressing and painful clothes can be when your skin is extra-sensitive.

Even now the feel of the material is crucial when I'm buying clothes and all my favorite things to wear are soft and snuggly.

This site looks American but perhaps there are autism-friendly clothes sites in the UK

www.friendshipcircle.org/.../

Hi

My daughter has huge issues with the seems on her socks.  They can have her in tears. She is not so bad once they are on and she is settled but she can sit there getting them on and off several times before they feel acceptable.

She also cannot bear any clothing on her legs.  This makes dressing for winter a nightmare.  I have to put her in leggings to go out in winter but this stresses her out enormously and feel I am abusing her, or neglecting her if I do not make her wear appropriate clothing in winter.

Occupational Therapy is the key