When the seasons change, so do the types of clothing we wear. For some, this is a welcome change to lighter clothing to help us feel cool as the temperature increases. For others, any adjustment our bodies need to make can cause distress and make getting dressed that much harder every morning. For some people, clothing sensitivities last year round. Maybe the tag on the back of the shirt is constantly itchy, maybe the seam in our socks is what drives us crazy. Everybody has preferences for the types of fabric they prefer but when these preferences start to inhibit our ability to get dressed in the morning, that’s when we may need to seek some outside help. If you or someone in your life experiences extreme sensory sensitivity to clothing, consider reaching out to an occupational therapist for some professional guidance. In the meantime, try implementing these strategies for you or your children.

Tips to Decrease Clothing Sensitivities

Use a vibrotactile tool

Vibration is a strong sensory input that stimulates the tactile system and can help desensitize the skin to any light input that may come next, such as clothing. Try using one of these hand-held massage tools on the arms, legs, back, hand, and feet. Consistently utilize the tool such as once in the morning and once at night for the most impact. This can help decrease the sensitivity to the light tickly sensation or scratchy sensation that clothing may create for certain individuals. For individuals who are sensitive to hair brushing, consider using the tool as a scalp massage to decrease their sensitivity to hair brushing or styling.

Complete some quick movement activities immediately after getting dressed

A large part of sensory sensitivities for some people comes from extra anxiety that has built-up around the clothing they are putting on. Allowing this pent-up anxiety and energy to release with some movement can help decrease the levels of arousal and improve regulation. Try doing 20 jumping jacks or skipping around the bedroom immediately after getting dressed. Consider getting dressed then immediately putting on a brain break video from YouTube or Google. This will help distract the brain and provide regulating proprioceptive and vestibular input to the body for a calmer state of arousal following the distressing activity of getting dressed.

Try sleeping in the clothes for the next day to acclimate the tactile system

For some, just the transition from pajamas to clothing is an unwanted sensory experience. Consider picking out an outfit for the next day and sleeping in that outfit to decrease the amount of transitions the tactile system has to go through in the morning when time is often in short supply. Getting dressed at night and checking it off the morning to-do list can relieve some of the pressure of getting out the door which often adds to the anxiety of getting dressed for everyone involved.

Create an obstacle course or play games when getting dressed

Sometimes the brain just needs a bit of a distraction from the anxiety surrounding getting dressed. Try setting up an obstacle course to and from the dresser or closet for your child to complete on the way to get the clothing. Have them put on the clothing and then complete the obstacle course on the way back. This combines movement and cognition to help promote regulation physically and mentally.

Practice with clothes in a context that removes the pressure of having to wear them all day

This is a great time to try a clothing hopscotch activity with new clothes or clothes that are historically uncomfortable. For example, if your child can’t stand the sensation of jeans, try clothing hopscotch with a variety of jeans. Have the child roll a dice and complete hopscotch to a pair of jeans. Have them put on whatever pair they land on and do a silly dance or just twirl in a circle and then allow them to take the pants immediately off. This will gradually desensitize the child to the sensation without the stress of having to wear them all day.

Consider hand me downs or secondhand clothing to decrease the stiffness in the material

Everyone has that old pair of jeans that have been broken in and fits just right. Sometimes the stiffness of clothing can contribute to the increased sensitivity felt when wearing the fabric. Consider hand me downs from older siblings or cousins or try shopping secondhand to get clothes that have already been broken in and may feel a little more comfortable for individuals with tactile sensitivities.

Utilize full body sensory bins

Sensory bins filled with dry macaroni or dried beans are a great way to prep the hands for certain activities. Consider placing the feet into these sensory bins. Have a kitty pool? Try filling it with dried pasta, beans, dried corn kernels, or anything else you can think of. Encourage your child to sit in the sensory bin to provide new tactile sensations to their legs as well as their feet. Try hiding objects in a sensory bin and have your child feel around with just their feet or just their hands to locate the objects. This is a great thing to do before getting dressed, but also try incorporating these activities frequently throughout the day to help further develop the tactile system.

With the guidance from an occupational therapist, utilize therapressure brushing

Therapressure brushing is a program using a soft surgical scrub brush to sequentially provide firm, even, pressure to the skin of the arms, legs, back, and feet. Therapressure brushing provides a regulating sensation to the nerve endings of the skin. With consistent use over time, therapressure brushing helps train the sensory system to react less to the sensations of clothing. To correctly implement therapressure brushing, you must be trained by a professional such as an occupational therapist. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about this technique.

Clothing Sensory Sensitivities and Ways to Address Them