Severe problem with clothes..Long..

When Megan was younger, I used to think she had a sensory disorder. Between her picky eating and texture problem and her not being able to sit still, I was concerned. She was evaluated for her speech and by an OT when she turned 2. All was fine. She calmed down a bit but the eating problem never got any better. I just figured it was a picky eater (my husband was like this until he was 11) and left it alone.

Now we have a HUGE problem with getting dressed. Now I know some kids have certain "quirks" for lack of a better word. My brother STILL, at the age of 24, goes crazy if he feels "nuts" in his socks...you know the line at the toes. Its always been his thing and still is. But Megan goes beyond that. She wont wear ANYTHING. Socks bother her, stretchies are "too tight" on her legs, jeans "hurt" her, her sneakers are either too loose or too tight, long sleeve shirts "stick" to her. I couldnt even get her jacket on her this morning because she says it messes up her sleeves underneath (and I do the holding of the sleeve trick). It is literally driving me insane. She will ONLY wear sweats or pjs. We had a party on Saturday and she had a beautiful sweater dress with a pair of pink stretchies underneath. Literally you would have thought I was KILLING her. She was screaming and rolling around. I started to cry..I cant take it anymore. I dont know what I am going to do when the COLD weather comes in because she wont wear a jacket.

Does this sound like a problem or a phase? When she says the jeans "hurt" is what concerns me the most. I have read so much info online and have 2 books, one of them being the "Sensational Child." Provides a lot of info. Sometimes I think, ok Megan has this while other times she doesnt fit the criteria at all. Do you think 5 is too old to have her evaluated? Does anyone know what they would do for this anyway? My mom says "everything is labelled now." In a way, I totally agree. But this is bad..and if she does have an issue, I want to learn how to deal with it properly because right now, I am at my wits end! Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Sounds like sensory issues. Maybe you can get some "soft" clothing for her to wear. She doesn't need a heavy winter jacket if you have a nice warm soft fleece for her to wear. Unless the issue is interferring with her ability to learn at school, they likely won't do anything. It's easier to qualify for services when they are in pre-school for sensory issues, rather than in grade school, unfortunately.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Personally, I would have her evaluated.

It definitely sounds like she has some sensory issues and I think when it gets to the point that it is severely affecting normal day-to-day activities I think it should be further investigated.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Yea this is the thing that confuses me. When she goes to school, she is fine. I think she is actually embarrassed to act like that in front of her teachers and friends. That's what makes me think its not a sensory problem. But then when she is home or with other family members, is when it gets bad. Although, she doesnt really get dressed in school right? It's confusing. I think there is a sensory issue as well..I just don't know what can be done for it.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

I do not believe my daughter has sensory issues, but she is very picky about her clothes. She also complains that jeans hurt and that leggings are tight.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

My DS is on the autism spectrum and has some sensory issues. He will only wear "soft" pants, like sweat pants. I drove myself nuts trying to find enough decent pairs of pants for him to wear to school this year, since he outgrew all the old stuff. He is also old enough now to take off his clothes if he doesn't want to wear them and has done that at home a couple of times.

I think I would get her evaluated. I hear all the time how "everything has a label these days" but it usually comes from a person who doesn't have a child with these unique qualities. It sounds like she could have sensory processing issues. If for no other reason, it may help YOU identify what her challenges are and how to help her with them.

I will also add that when I have problems with behaviors with my DS, they are always worse at home. Often times the kids can hold it together all day at school, but when they get home, it's just been enough already.

Message edited 10/4/2011 12:54:29 PM.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

It wouldn't be a bad thing getting her tested, just to make sure, but I think she's just being 5. DD does similar things sometimes, but it's just to have control over something. At this age, they need to control things, and their bodies are pretty much the only things they have complete control over (eating, potty, sensory issues, etc).

You can't completely discount what she's saying, but don't be surprised if the doctors can't find anything.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

I would call an occupational therapist that takes your insurance and get evaluated through that route. They might have some tips for you also.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

I don't think any age is too old to be evaluated for a problem you can work on & resolve.

My dd & my niece had issues with things being tight on their bellies, jeans without sparkles "hurt her", shoes she didn't like hurt her, flat out refusing to wear sweaters & of course, a jacket because of the sleeve thing. So it could be completely normal. My friend's son only likes to wear sweats.

It can't hurt to look into it.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

I think if there are multiple issues maybe there is more to it. However it is possible she is just picky about clothes.

My DD (almost 7yr) has issues with clothes. She hasnt worn underware in 2 years due to being uncomfortable, socks are always a big issue and need to be a certain brand, when she outgrew them and needed a bigger size it was a disaster. She is ok in slip on shoes and flip flops , but when it is gym day we always have issues with sneakers, they need to be tied super tight. She will only wear soft yoga pants and leggings, never jeans becuase they hurt ect.. Even the yoga pants have issues with the fold down at the wasit...

She has gotten a bit better as she has gotten older, I try to be patient but there are limits. There have been several mornings I put her in the car in her PJs on the way to school becuase she couldnt get dressed. She got changed in the car when faced with the choice of being in school in her PJs or putting on clothes! LOL Didnt seem to be as much of a problem then.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Poor thing - I definitely think it's a SPD issue - especially given her history. I'd have her evaluated by an OT who specializes in SPD. There's a great clothing company specifically for kids with sensory defensiveness - the girls dresses are darling. http://www.softclothing.net/
Good Luck!

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Before calling it an issue- ignore it. It sounds FIRST like a control issue. My daughter perseverates on little things like this all the time and it is all about her control over her body/surroundings, etc.

First it was she could ONLY wear jeans
then jeans were too "annoying"
then ONLY dresses

etc etc

I would give it a week, let her wear sweats- see what happens when you completely ignore it.

If she doesn't want to wear the jacket, put it in her backpack and send her on her way..

edited to add- we all have our "quirks" as you said- I have ALWAYS had a thing against anything itchy- I won't wear sweaters that aren't only cotton b/c they drive me CRAZY at the neck. No merino wool. Not even Cashmere- people think i am crazy.. LOL

I only like cotton socks and underwear too.. LOL

Message edited 10/3/2011 5:14:07 PM.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

This is my DD. She is 16 now. Everything was/is always an issue. She wore jeerez sweat pants till she was about 13. She found one pair of jeans old navy sweethearts. They are the only ones she wears. Bathing suits are usually a size 16. And she would normally wear a 10. Socks, bras, undies and shoes always difficult. It's a challenge especially when she was younger. I never had her tested. She seems always to be in motion, touching something or laying upside down on the chair. However she is a good student, and very helpful. And makes shopping easier now being she wears the same brand jeans, shoes, socks ect.....

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Posted by Karen

Personally, I would have her evaluated.

It definitely sounds like she has some sensory issues and I think when it gets to the point that it is severely affecting normal day-to-day activities I think it should be further investigated.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

Thank you for all of your responses. It has truly helped so much. It's so hard to draw the line between what is just a 5 year old girl's behavior and when it may be a problem. I feel bad because it seems as though she TRULY gets upset by her clothes. If she was screaming that she "didnt like it," that would be a different story. But the fact that it's bothering/hurting her has me concerned. The thing that confuses me is that this just started. She was never like this before. It started with sneakers in the summer, she LIVED in flip flops and went from there. Can a sensory problem just start out of no where? Although, like I said, she has always had eating issues and she freaks out when she smells something that she doesnt like.

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

hugs noreen! that sounds so hard and frustrating

josh's best friend is 4.5.

he has always had anxiety, but it is getting worse. he is in a new school setting-does fine once he is there.
he cried the first soccer game and refused to play...it was crippling though...he could not move his legs...

2nd soccer game he never made it there...he refused to get dressed and screamed in his room naked all morning.

nice kid...but sometimes he loves bouncehouses, other times cries.
same with park, swimming, playdates and church.

his parents read the healing code 2 weeks ago...the kid was an all star this weekend in soccer and even scored a goal.

not sure if this helped...

Re: Severe problem with clothes..Long..

I also don't think there is any harm in getting her tested.

I do a lot of it is the age though and changing of the seasons. I go through this every fall with my kids. My 5 year old is worse. Last year he refused to wear a jacket and it was a day like today. Guess what, I sent him in without one and they played outside. I told the teacher what was going on. The next school day he wore a jacket. I think they need to get used to wearing heavier, bulkier clothes.

For some reason, I notice with girls mostly, they really don't like wearing jeans at all. They like leggings, tights and dresses. A lot of the girls in DD's class last year hated jeans. They were all 3 and 4 year olds. Even my own kids only like to wear fuzzy feeling pants. DS more than DD, but he needs to feel the inside of jeans. If it is too stiff he won't wear them.

I would try and just letting her wear tunics and dresses with leggings and see how it goes. If it gets bad in month maybe have her tested then. By that time she will have been accustomed to wearing fall clothes.