For children with autism, getting dressed can be a challenging experience due to sensory sensitivities, routine preferences, or difficulty with certain clothing textures. With some thoughtful strategies and sensory-friendly clothing choices, dressing can become a more positive and less stressful part of the day. Here are tips for helping your child with autism get dressed without a fight.
Create a Calming Routine
A consistent dressing routine can provide comfort and reduce anxiety for children with autism. Set up a predictable sequence—such as picking clothes, putting on underwear, pants, then shirts—and follow it each day. Visual aids like charts or picture cues can also help reinforce each step, giving your child a clear sense of what to expect.
Let Your Child Have Choice
Giving your child the power to choose their own clothes can encourage cooperation and make them feel more in control. Offer a few sensory-friendly options, like two different shirts or pairs of pants, and let them select their preference. Small choices can help minimize resistance and reduce frustration.
Use Sensory-Friendly Clothing
For children with tactile sensitivities, certain fabrics, tags, or seams can feel overwhelming. Opt for soft, tagless, and seamless clothing made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo, which are gentle on sensitive skin. Brands like Cloud Nine Clothing offer sensory-friendly designs with features like built-in fidgets, gentle compression, and calming fabrics that can help your child feel more comfortable.
Lay Out Clothes the Night Before
To avoid morning stress, lay out your child’s outfit the night before. Having clothes ready makes the dressing routine smoother, and your child can get used to the idea of what they’ll wear. Involving them in this evening preparation can also create a sense of excitement and make the morning routine easier.
Incorporate Compression Clothing
Some children with autism find comfort in the gentle pressure of compression clothing, which offers a “hug-like” sensation. Adding a compression shirt or undershirt to their wardrobe can provide a sense of security and help them feel more grounded and calm, especially during transitions or busy mornings.
Create a Relaxing Environment
The dressing environment can greatly impact your child’s experience. Set up a calm, quiet space with soft lighting to make dressing a soothing activity. Playing gentle music or using calming visuals can also help them stay focused and reduce resistance.
Use Visual or Verbal Prompts
Use clear visual or verbal prompts to guide your child through each step of the dressing process. Phrases like, “Let’s start with your shirt” or “Now it’s time for your socks” provide gentle direction. Visual aids, like pictures of the dressing sequence, can also offer helpful reminders.
Set Small Goals and Use Positive Reinforcement
Break down the dressing routine into smaller steps and celebrate each accomplishment. For example, if your child is working on putting on their shirt independently, provide encouragement as they practice this step. Positive reinforcement—such as praise, stickers, or small rewards—can motivate your child to engage in the process willingly.
Introduce Clothing Slowly
If your child is resistant to certain types of clothing, introduce these items gradually. For example, if they don’t like long sleeves, have them wear short sleeves and slowly increase exposure to longer sleeves over time. Let them practice putting on new clothes at home before they need to wear them outside, which can make the transition easier.
Give Extra Time for the Process
Allow extra time for dressing to avoid feeling rushed, especially during the early stages of building a new routine. Rushing can increase stress, making it harder for your child to cooperate. Taking a slower approach also provides opportunities to praise each step, reinforcing their efforts.
Finding Sensory-Friendly Clothing Options
Sensory-friendly clothing can play a huge role in reducing dressing-related struggles. Options like tagless, seamless shirts, soft fabrics, and built-in fidgets are designed to minimize discomfort and provide a calming experience. Brands like Cloud Nine Clothing offer sensory-friendly designs that include tagless tops, compression wear, and calming fabrics, making it easier to find clothing that meets your child’s needs.
Final Thoughts
With a calming routine, sensory-friendly clothing, and strategies for gentle guidance, getting dressed can become a smoother, more cooperative experience for both you and your child. By creating a supportive and predictable environment, you can help make dressing less of a struggle and more of a positive part of the day.