Dressing for the Change in Weather

Changes in the weather can be distressing to children and their families for many reasons. Moving from the summer wardrobe to the winter wardrobe is no small feat for children with varying sensory processing needs! Some children enjoy tight clothing, while some children prefer loose clothing. Some kids prefer to not wear a winter coat, while others have a challenging time taking it off. Some enjoy fuzzy socks, and for others, the seam is extra distracting and distressing.  

Some tips and tricks that can ease a change in wardrobe include:  

1. Provide children with the opportunity to explore the different sensory aspects of clothing and talk about those aspects out loud! It can be beneficial to explore the different sensory aspects of clothing to promote a mind/body connection. Talking through the different textures can better allow children to understand the different sensations that their bodies are physically feeling through clothing. Ask questions like:  

• “What does the sweatshirt look like?”  

• “How do the sweatpants feel?”  

• “I wonder what the inside of these pants feels like? Let’s feel with our hands and our feet!”  

• “Are these sweatpants softer or firmer than these jeans?”  

  
  

2. Allow the child to play with the clothing to promote a feeling of safety surrounding them – make it fun! Let’s say a child has difficulty changing his preferred pants and there are different pants that you, the parent/caregiver/guardian, want him to trial. You may line up the new pants and create a balance beam, pretending you are pirates who are walking across the plank. There are many different ways to make exploring clothing safe and fun, especially by incorporating your child’s unique interests.  

3. Promote as much independence as possible! While time constraints can make getting dressed difficult, try to carve out an extended amount of time to promote independence while dressing. Allowing children to navigate the clothing independently can promote a safe environment surrounding dressing as they can manipulate and feel the fasteners and textures at their own pace. If you notice frustration, you can ask if the child needs help. However, it is important to respect a child's timeline and try to honor their wishes while trying new clothing.  

4. Always have extra clothing on hand! Just in case the clothing gets wet or dirty, as this can be dysregulating for a child with sensory processing needs. 

Written by Bella Crugnale, OT, MSOT, OTR/L