Autism and Clothing
Our sensory differences can affect the clothes that we wear. However, every autistic person is different and and clothing choices will be very individual too!
School Uniform and Autism
Many Autistic people have sensory differences which can significantly influence their clothing preferences. Some materials can feel painful, spiky or itchy next to our skin. This can make wearing school uniform really uncomfortable. As a parent of Autistic children, I can attest to the amount of time and money spent trying to find uniforms that my children would comfortably wear. Some shops like M&S and Asda now offer a sensitive range, including seamless socks etc. However, it can still be challenging to find something that works for your child and is also school-appropriate. It can be beneficial to make sure that the school is aware of these difficulties so that you can arrange reasonable accommodations if necessary.
The Issue of Clothing Tags
Why oh why do clothing manufacturers put massive, itchy tags on the neckline? This seemingly small detail can cause a great deal of discomfort for autistic people. Many of my clothes and my children's clothes have the tag cut out. It's not a question of being fussy, it’s genuinely painful. It becomes impossible to concentrate on anything else and the tag just has to come off!
Colour Preferences
I have one colour… black! 95% of my clothing is black. It’s a colour that I am comfortable in and I don’t need to think about co-ordinating colours. It matches everything because it’s black. I can find patterns and bright colours over stimulating. However, some Autistic people are literally the opposite and love amazing colours and patterns! They might find joy in dressing in their favourite colour.
Comfort vs Style
With so many sensory differences, it is easy to understand why many Autistic people prioritize comfort over style! If they are hypersensitive, then baggy, loose fitting and soft clothes might be more comfortable. However, some Autistic people are hyposensitive and might prefer tight fitting clothing to feel more comfortable. Sometimes, weighted clothing can offer comfort too.
The Autistic Style
Ah yes… the myth that we all wear the same! Many of us will go for comfort over style, and that is our unique style! But some Autistic people prefer more formal clothing, maybe linked to an era that they love to focus on. Or maybe they have a favourite colour or animal that much of their clothing is styled around.
Consistency in Clothing
In a chaotic unpredictable world, some Autistic people prefer to wear the same clothes again and again. Once I find something that’s comfortable, I like to get two or three of them. Some Autistic people can struggle with change and like to wear the same clothes…sometimes they become more comfortable and comforting with age.
Temperature Sensitivity
Many Autistic people can be sensitive to temperature and may dress accordingly. I am very heat sensitive and would never wear long sleeved tops or warm materials. Layers of clothes are often the answer as some Autistic people struggle to regulate their temperature or have difficulty knowing if they are hot or cold (interoception).
Embrace Your True Colours
Despite all these considerations and quirks, the most important thing is to not be afraid to show your true colours. That’s when you shine the brightest. After all, our individuality is what makes us unique.
Written by: The Autistic Teacher
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Tôi đọc bài về autism và trang phục hơi chậm. Phần vải, đường may, cổ áo khiến tôi nhớ đến thời còn mặc đồ thể thao bó sát — nghe vậy thôi thôi nhưng cũng đủ để thấy có những thứ rất nhỏ mà quyết định cả ngày của một người. Chuyện trang phục không chỉ là thẩm mỹ, tác giả nói đúng, và đó là điều nhiều người ngoài hệ thống đó không nghĩ tới. Buổi tối tôi hay ngồi đợi con ngủ rồi đánh vài ván bài cho đỡ tay chân, rồi lướt qua đâu đó thấy JD88 hiện lên trong danh sách. Tôi không đánh giá gì, chỉ thấy nó nằm trong đúng gu của mình lúc rảnh,…
Phần nói về quần áo tạo cảm giác khó chịu là chi tiết mình thấy thuyết phục nhất, vì nó giải thích được vì sao một lựa chọn tưởng nhỏ lại ảnh hưởng cả ngày dài. Bài không nói thay cho tất cả trẻ tự kỷ, mà để ngỏ nhiều khác biệt cá nhân. Trong lúc đọc, mình nhớ tới Đình Bắc từng kể lại chuyện đi thử đồ chỉ vì nhãn may cộm mà bỏ cả buổi, khi đó mình còn nghĩ đó là chuyện vặt. Giờ đọc đoạn này, mình thấy đôi khi thứ mình cho là bận rộn nhỏ nhặt lại chính là thứ cần được chú ý trước.
Mình vừa đọc bài này và thấy phần nói về quần áo thường bị xem nhẹ hơn so với các nhu cầu khác. Người ta hay nói chọn đồ theo sở thích, nhưng với người nhạy cảm với vải, đường may hay độ ôm thì đó lại là chuyện cả ngày có thể bị ảnh hưởng. Mình từng nghe một người quen kể rằng họ phải thử đi thử lại chỉ để tìm một chiếc áo không gây khó chịu, nên khi đọc tới đây mình thấy bài viết chạm đúng một chi tiết rất nhỏ mà lại quan trọng. Ngọc Anh có lần bảo rằng sự thoải mái không phải là chuyện phù phiếm, nó là nền để mình làm…