in ADHD, Autism, & Special Needs Support

Difficulty getting dressed

Hi, Looking for some advice or anyone who has dealt with similar. My little boy has been unwell this week and it has come with a host of other issues that we’ve never had before. He is autistic and is typically a sensory seeker. This week we have had an awful struggle getting him dressed. Once I’ve got his clothes on him he is kicking and screaming and pulling at his clothes until I take them off. He is getting himself very upset and is being aggressive towards me as well as hurting himself (throwing himself on the floor etc) This is obviously not ideal as I can’t leave the house with him just in a nappy. We have his birthday party on Saturday and I’m worried that this is going to continue. How can I get him dressed and able to keep his clothes on? We’ve never had this before but it is brutal and he’s hurting himself and me in the process 😔

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Hello Sophie, From what I've read, sensory sensitivities can lessen or worsen, or even appear and disappear at random. It sounds like this is something new for your little one. 🙌🏻 I've seen on here some recommendations for clothes designed with autistic people in mind. I think perhaps they are softer and made with only natural materials. I hope he feels better soon and that this sensitivity diminishes. ♥️

You didn't say how old he was so difficult to give asvise. Is he verbal? Can he tell you why he doesn't want the clothes? Is it too hot? Scratchy, labels? Is he upset because he hasn't chosen the clothes himself? My Lo is 3 and has similar clothes problems now and then. But clothes scratches her or she is too hot because she is inside but don't realise we'll be going outside and it's cold outside. So I taker her out in the cold to feel it and then get her dressed. I also cut out labels (I can't wear labels or wool either as it scratches me terribly!) Lastly, I lay out a selection of matching clothes and let hetlr pick what she wants to wear. Plus I do lots of rewards (sticker charts, Yolo yoghurt lollies, chocolate buttons) and tons and tons of praise every time she does something I've asked her too. Another thing that works with her is to say, I bet you can't dress yourself? I bet you can get that over your head. Let me see? Really? Nooooo, I don't think you can.And then she is determined to dress herself

@Ghitta he’ll be 2 on Sunday! He is verbal but cannot articulate what is bothering him/why he’s upset or uncomfortable or anything beyond ‘off’ really. Which makes it difficult! He has spent the majority of today in his nappy and has said ‘cold’ a few times, I’ve taken him outside and said yes it’s cold, let’s get dressed so that we can be warm and go outside to play but each time approached getting dressed it had the same result. This has only come on this week - have never had issues with getting dressed before. He has aversions to a lot of food - we do have some dairy free chocolate though that I could try. Unfortunately I don’t think he would be able to comprehend the last part. He is unresponsive to his name and struggles with basic instructions/questions. That’s really helpful though, will try a different approach in the morning!

Ah bless him. So sorry I'm not sure what else to suggest. Also, not sure if this is something you do as I noticed alot of my friends with boys don't do it, but do you pilut lotion on him every day after bath? It helps alot for itchiness too. I sometimes put on x2 per day for my LO especially in the winter. See also if he'll be happy to pick his own clothes. I'm currently struggling putting a nappy on for my LO. She absolutely refuses but also refuses to use the potty. So a bit of a nightmare too. What are these kids like! Ugh!

Mins also have food versions. I now mix everything together in a sauce on pasta. And found a spinach as well as carrot base pizza recipe, mix lots of green etc sogteher chopper very very finely for toppings and make it into dinosaur shapes. She LOVES it! But otherwise, if she sees veggies separate, she refuse to eat it. Especially greens.