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Autism and not wanting to wear clothes

Kristenkim

My 6 year old non verbal Autistic son is refusing to get dressed in the morning and is having a full meltdown. Is this common and any tips to help me please. 

  • in reply to Stuart333

    I think it can be an avoidance thing definitely that you relate those clothes to a certain thing like school. This is a good point.

    I also think sometimes it is the opposite. That they don't understand the link between the clothes and what is happening so the clothes just become a confusing demand.

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    Do you suppose it's symbolic?

    The clothes are associated with school, which is stressful.

    So taking them off means you are not at, or going to, school, as you can't go naked. So being naked means you're safe.

    And putting them on means a loss of safety and stress is coming, so a reluctance to put them on.

  • in reply to Kristenkim

    I get that pediatricians have a big work load and there's a big back log of kids waiting for diagnosing but it's rubbish there isn't more support out there for parents. I really think they need to start training neurodivergency nurses or similar to support parents after diagnosis. They wouldn't need the qualifications required for diagnosing so it would be a cheaper way to support parents. Just my humble opinion.

    It's really common for kids to strip as soon as they get home. I wonder if it's just overload of the day, they need to remove the final stimuli of their clothes. Who knows.

    Asking school for advice is definitely a good idea. Hopefully the symbols help.

  • Thank you for your response. That has answered my question. I have asked the pediatrician and was told they aren't there to give advise just to give a diagnosis Disappointed I have reached out to school for more help. We are waiting for an ADHD diagnosis as they think he may have that aswell.

    I will give the symbols ago. He wears pjs no problem at all he gets straight out of the shower and into his pjs. As soon as he gets back from school he strips off including his pull ups. He doesn't do this at school or if we are out, only at home or at families houses. This is a new thing refusing to get dressed in the mornings. 

    Thank you again for your advise I really appreciate it. 

  • This is very common and may well be a sensory issue. Or perhaps a transition issue in that he doesn't understand needing to get dressed. 

    You could try using symbols to help him understand the need to get dressed. It may be as simple as an image of his school paired with his school uniform helps him understand he needs to get dressed for school. Or a visual schedule of the steps of getting dressed, possibly paired with something he would prefer afterwards. Now and next can also be helpful now dressed next breakfast or possibly now dressed next "preferred activity".

    If it is a sensory issue it can be a bit trickier. Does your son wear pyjamas to bed? If so do you have the same issue getting him to undress? Does he take his clothes off again at the first opportunity or once dressed is he ok? Does he resist any an all clothes or are there some that he prefers? The answers to the questions can help you break down whether it's a specific sensory issue or a dislike of having clothes on (or that it isn't a sensory issue at all it is more an issue of understanding/transition as above). If he is ok with some textures then I would try to find more of these so that he feels more comfortable and is less adverse to getting dressed.

    Good luck.