whysoft

Why is there a need for specially designed clothing for children with Autism/SPD/PDD and sensory sensitivity? And what are those needs? Soft asked parents, and individuals with Autism, SPD and everyone to tell us, and here are some of the things we heard over and over again:

Text Box: “I have a son that is very particular about collars. He only likes tshirt collars. Actual shirt collars (like polos or button shirts) bother him. He will pull and pull at them and scream and try to take them off.”

Text Box: “My son HATES tags. He hates them and hates them.”

Text Box: “...he hates seams anywhere. cotton and fleece work best. especially if you can find a nice brushed cotton…”

Text Box: “I have tried different things for winter pants (nylon outside fleece inside) but he will not give in and just keeps saying ‘soft pants soft pants’.”

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“My daughter prefers soft cotton clothing, preferably knit. She hates jeans and will usually wear leggings for the 3 times a year she needs something long. She also hates tags (I usually cut them out for her) Elastic waist bands are a must along with NO buttons or unusual fasteners.”

Text Box: “My son DOES have a lot of ‘issues’ with clothes. He will not wear: denim( although it's cotton, it's restricting), anything with zippers or tags (I have to cut the tags out), and EVERYTHING he wears MUST be cotton, pants MUST have an elasticized waistband, and shirts MUST have a crew neck....& the list goes on! All of his clothes MUST have a loose fit....forget the tight stuff.”

Text Box: “I'm an autistic adult. I hate seams, clothing that's too tight unless it fits like a second skin. So I buy things too big, wear jammies out in public, cut tags out of things, and wear a lot stuff inside out. The only jeans I own I got 7 years ago.” They're wide leg.”

“You would think it would be easy to find simple, well made, attractive clothing that isn’t all fussy or dressed up with unnecessary details...but its not. Its really hard. And then having to worry about tags, construction, fabrics...it’s a full time job!”

What is inclusive clothing?

Soft pants in different weights