Getting dressed is a part of everyday life, but for some children, especially those with sensory processing challenges, dressing can feel like an overwhelming task. Whether it’s the feeling of seams in socks, scratchy tags, or the feeling of certain clothes, sensory processing differences can make dressing into a stressful experience for both children and their families.
What are sensory processing differences?
Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, interprets and responds to sensory input from the world around us. When a child experiences sensory processing differences, their brain may over or under respond to certain sensations. This can affect everyday tasks such as dressing in a variety of ways:
- Tactile sensitivity: Clothes may feel “scratchy,” “tight,” or “itchy.” Tags, seams, or certain fabrics might be especially uncomfortable.
- Auditory sensitivity: Loud or unexpected sounds like zippers or velcro can be distressing.
- Proprioceptive or motor planning difficulties: These can impact a child’s ability to sense where their body is in space or to coordinate movements like pulling up pants or putting on a shirt.
Every child’s sensory profile is unique and what’s challenging for one child might be completely fine for another.
Signs your child may be experiencing difficulties with the sensory experience of dressing.
- Avoiding certain types of clothing or insisting on wearing the same outfit every day
- Becoming distressed or overwhelmed when it’s time to get dressed
- Resisting fasteners like buttons, zippers or shoelaces
- Ripping off clothing as soon as it’s put on
- Only wearing one type of clothing e.g. loose t-shirts, tights, shorts etc
- Showing fear or difficulty when putting tops and hoodies on by pulling them over the head
- Taking a long time to get dressed or needing significant help to complete dressing tasks
- Wearing clothing year-round despite the weather e.g. shorts and t-shirt.
How Occupational Therapy can help
As occupational therapists, we take a holistic, strengths-based approach to support children and their families with dressing. We support children and families in a range of ways.
- Understanding sensory preferences
We take time to explore your child’s sensory profile, what they enjoy, what they avoid and what helps them feel calm and regulated. At OTHC we use play-based observations and a range of sensory activities to identify your child’s sensory preferences. - Building a sensory-smart wardrobe
We can suggest clothing options that are more comfortable and suited to your child’s sensory needs. This may include seamless socks, tag less shirts, soft or stretchy fabrics or compression garments for calming input. - Supporting dressing skills step-by-step
Using fun, play-based approaches, we help children build the coordination and body awareness required to achieve independence with dressing. - Creating consistent routines
Many children benefit from consistence. We support families set up visual supports, dressing checklists and calming pre-dressing routines to make getting dressed more manageable. - Empowering families with practical tools
We work alongside parents and caregivers to develop strategies that are respectful, realistic and personalised for your child’s needs. - School Uniforms
OTs can support children with putting on and managing their school uniforms comfortably, and advocate to schools to accommodate sensory differences.
Practical Strategies
Every child is unique, so the following strategies are broad and can be adapted to meet your child’s individual support needs. Finding what works best often involves some trial and error, patience and time.
- Offer choices: When possible, allow your child to choose between two preferred outfits to support autonomy.
- Ease transitions: Provide calming input (such as deep pressure hugs or squeezes) before dressing.
- Prepare ahead: Lay out clothes the night before to reduce stress in the morning.
- Celebrate progress: Even small wins, like putting on one sock deserve recognition and encouragement!
- Backwards chaining: Break down dressing tasks into smaller manageable steps and start by helping with the final steps, gradually encouraging your child to complete more of the sequence independently.
- Parent understanding and empathy: Recognise your child’s sensory experiences and emotional responses as valid, which helps create a supportive and patient environment.
- Use visual supports: Picture schedules or simple step-by-step charts can help children understand and anticipate each part of the dressing process.
- Incorporate play: Turn dressing practice into a game or story to engage your child and reduce resistance.
- Allow extra time: Avoid rushing and give your child plenty of time to complete dressing tasks at their own pace.
Every child deserves to feel comfortable in their clothes
Dressing difficulties are not about being “fussy”, they’re often your child’s way of communicating how their body is experiencing the world. With patience, understanding and the right strategies, getting dressed can become a positive and empowering experience.
If your child is finding dressing difficult our Occupational Therapists are here to support. Please feel free to reach out to us on hello@occupationaltherapy.com.au or (02) 99133823 for further information.
