Preparing for Fall
As the weather starts to get cooler children with tactile sensitivity have a hard time feeling comfortable in the coats they are asked to put on each morning. For many wearing a coat feels claustrophobic. The tightness of the fabric on their arms and body makes it hard for them to focus on anything else but the coat and how it feels.
So, what is the caregiver to do? On one hand if they attempt to put the coat on the child to keep them warm it will probably either end up with the child having a major melt down or a child who is unable to focus on anything until after the coat is taken off. On the other hand if they allow the child to go out without wearing it the child will probably be too cold to participate in playing and they could even end up getting sick.
This is where we come in! There are several things we, as therapists, can suggest to the family to do to help during the colder months:
If the child feels more comfortable in tighter clothing suggest a thin layer of clothing under the coat. This could mean a tight work out outfit (sweats & top). Some of the sporting good stores sell the underarmor type garments that fit snuggly and help keep the heat in without causing the child to sweat. These, being tight, would also help the child who enjoys the deep pressure sensation to feel comfortable with a layered "look" of clothing and then coat.
Suggest frequent tactile input during the day leading up to when the coat must be put on. This could mean rubbing in hand lotion which would also help to relieve dry skin that occurs frequently during the colder months due to the heat being on more frequently.
For boys allow them to wear a warm fleece sweatshirt/hoody instead of a coat..
For girls allow them to wear a warm (perhaps even fleece lined) cape. This is my preferred garment during the winter months. I have one that is lighter which I wear during the fall and one that is thicker and warmer to wear during the winter. There are many types of stylish capes for both younger and older girls to choose from.
Buy a coat that is one or two sizes too big so the child doesn't feel so "trapped" inside it.
The following are links to different clothing sites and options to help both the sensory defensive child and a child who may need adaptive clothing due to AFO's or Wheelchairs, etc.:
Sensory Needs:
www.cameronspecialt.com Cameron's Special T's - Weighted t-shirts. Washable.
www.gerbing.com Gerbing's Heated Clothing for winter.
www.sensorycomfort.com Sensory Comfort seam-free socks, underwear, bras, clothes, and tactile "wetshoes" for teens.
www.sockcompany.com Variety of smart knit seamless socks.
www.therawear.com smart knit seamless socks without latex specifically for sensory processing differences.
Under Armor: Sporty tight lycra to wear for compression: available at department/sport stores.
Other Needs:
www.adaptationsByAdrain.com capes, mittens, boots, pants and up to very large snap bottom shirts.
www.adaptivechild.com
www.keepingpace.com Fashionable children's orthopedic footwear (socks and shoes) designed for AFO's.
Kutaways www.kutaways.com Coats for wheelchairs in motion.
www.snowshack.com seamless tops and pants.
www.special-clothes.com Brace socks, adaptive closures and styles of clothing, G-tube pockets, incontinence garments.
www.speciallyforyou.com Poncho, pants, Romper and one-piece shirts/underwear size 2 to 14.
www.minimiracles.ca Mini Miracles adaptive children's clothing:100% Peruvian cotton with adaptations sensitive to to child's sensitivities/comfort (G-tube access).
Would love to hear if anyone has any other suggestions or resources to share - remember:
"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas." -George Bernard Shaw