As the back-to-school season approaches, I find myself dragging my two reluctant sons, aged 8 and 10, into the world of uniform shopping. Our first stop this week involved finding shoes. Like most boys their age, their shoe sizes seem to change dramatically every month. However, unlike many children, both of my boys are on the autism spectrum, which means that their sensory sensitivities create unique challenges during shopping trips.
We tend to stick with Skechers shoes for our kids—not just because of their style, although the youngest loves the flashy light-up versions, but primarily due to the availability of Velcro options. Velcro helps distribute pressure evenly across the foot, which my oldest prefers over traditional shoelaces. Not to mention, it reduces the risk of a midday meltdown at school when a shoe comes undone.
At the Skechers store, a friendly sales associate measured my children’s feet. My youngest gleefully picked out a wild pair, while the older one’s size brought a sympathetic look from the employee. “He’s a size 6, darling, and that’s in the men’s section.” That statement brought tears to my eyes—not just because I wasn’t ready for this milestone, but because it meant saying goodbye to Velcro. Would this mean more morning struggles with shoelaces? Would I soon be receiving calls from the school nurse because of the constant issues with his shoes?
Once the shoes were sorted, my anxiety shifted to their uniforms. A crucial rule to remember when it comes to uniforms and sensory sensitivities is: never run out of their favorite pieces. I learned this the hard way last year. I had planned ahead and purchased five of everything, but then disaster struck—two pairs of pants ripped, and a third pair’s zipper broke. Suddenly, we were down to two pairs, one of which my son refused to wear because it felt different. For an entire month, we spent at least 45 minutes each morning discussing why he couldn’t wear his preferred pants, leaving him upset as he boarded the bus each day.
This year, I decided to buy even more uniform items to help streamline our mornings. However, when I pulled out last year’s pants for my son to try on, the tears began again. “They’re too tight.” “They’re not soft.” “Why can’t I wear my soft pants to school?” He was referring to his cozy fleece pants, which, while navy, don’t comply with uniform rules. Even in 100-degree weather, he would rather endure discomfort than wear clothes that don’t feel right. Our weekly debates about his fleece pants being for home use only have become exhausting.
At some point, I started to wonder why there aren’t more clothing options designed specifically for children with sensory issues. Why are these types of clothes limited to baby sizes? Then I came across a story about a brilliant former CNN anchor, Laura Fenton, who created a clothing line called “Comfort First Clothing.” Each piece can be worn in any direction or inside out, with no tags, zippers, or buttons—simply brilliant.
Eager to try her products, I discovered that most items were already sold out. With an estimated 16.5 percent of school-age children experiencing sensory processing issues, it’s clear that many parents face similar frustrations. This raises an important question: why did it take so long for someone to create such a line? Aren’t clothing brands paying attention to this need? Kudos to Laura for recognizing the gap and stepping up to fill it. I would send her flowers on behalf of all the parents navigating these challenges if I could. I can’t wait for our first order—once it’s back in stock, of course.
For more insights on this topic, check out resources like this article on artificial insemination and the expert advice from Sarah Mitchell in maternal and fetal medicine. And if you’re considering home insemination options, you can find more at this guide.
Summary
Shopping for uniforms for children with sensory issues can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the right shoes and clothing that meet their needs. With an understanding of the challenges faced by parents of children with autism, it’s crucial to seek out clothing options that prioritize comfort and ease of use, as demonstrated by the innovative work of individuals like Laura Fenton.