Four Tips for Buying Clothing for Children with Autism
Parents often want to do everything in their power to make sure that their children are as happy and healthy as they can possibly be from the time they are born until well after they are grown. When children are born, there are times when some of them show to be different from other children as they age.
Children who do not make eye-contact or have a hard time focusing on their surroundings as infants may have autism. When you have a child with autism, it takes time to find out what things make them the happiest because they have different sensory issues than children who do not have autism. The following guide walks you through a few tips to use to make getting your child with autism dressed in the morning a little bit easier.
Choose Soft, Smooth Materials
When children are babies, parents know to put soft fabrics, such as those found at smartknitkids.com, on them to ensure that the fabric does not irritate their delicate skin. As an autistic child grows, he or she may not grow out of the need to have soft fabrics against their skin. They will gravitate toward the fabrics that make them feel the most secure and comfortable. Trying to force your child to wear fabrics that do not make them feel comfortable can lead to them having a meltdown because they cannot handle the way that the fabrics feel against their skin.
Purchase Multiple Sizes of Their Favorite
If you had never been around autistic children before having your child, you more than likely did not know what to expect. It is important to realize that there are some autistic children who become so comfortable with a piece of clothing that it is the only clothing they want to wear for years and years. If you find clothing that your child loves, but it is in multiple sizes so that your child will have it available to wear for a few years.
Care for the Clothing Properly
When you have clothing that your child prefers to wear, it is important to care for them properly to ensure that each piece lasts as long as it can. Read the instructions on the tag to ensure that the clothing is washed properly. It is also a good idea to use fabric softener or to wash the clothing in laundry detergent that is designed to wash baby clothes so that it keeps the clothing as soft as it can possibly be.
Do Not Pressure Your Child to Wear Something Else
Once your child has found something that they really like to wear, do not pressure them to wear something else, if they are severely autistic. It can cause them to become very dismayed and even cause a fight between the two of you. Autistic children do not understand or know why they like certain fabrics more than others. All they know is that those fabrics make them feel comfortable and safe.
When choosing clothing for your child, allow them to be a part of the decision-making process. If your child is able to choose a certain outfit, it may make them more likely to wear it because they will feel as though they had a say in picking it out. Once the clothing arrives, allow them to feel it with their hands and rub it against their face before putting it on them. This will allow them to see how soft it is and become comfortable with the new fabric before putting it on their bodies.