Your child has several needs that must be met to be comfortable in their winter coat.
We’ve all been there—trying to place an arm through the hole in a winter coat, getting tangled up in scarves, watching your child wander outside in freezing weather improperly dressed without a care in the world. Whether your child is incredibly sensitive and hates the itchy feel of winter coats or is insensitive and cannot tell that they need a coat in the first place, choosing a winter coat for a child with sensory processing disorder can be tricky and seem impossible. Here are some tips on what not to do during your shopping process.
DON’T Follow the Trends
Trends are great, but they aren’t usually appropriate for children with sensory processing disorders. Stylish and cute things are not typically made with comfort or practicality in mind, so don’t look at what’s hot when choosing the right winter coat.
DON’T Ignore Your Child
Think of when you go to purchase a winter coat for yourself—do you ask your partner to choose for you? Would you let your child choose the perfect winter coat for your needs? No way! Keep the same thing in mind with your child and take their preferences and wants into account. If your child will not wear the coat you end up choosing for them, it doesn’t matter that you chose the winter coat anyway.
DON’T Think That They’re Just Being Stubborn
Another common mistake is thinking that your child’s rejection of a winter coat is them being stubborn or wanting to freeze out of protest. Change your mindset on choosing the right winter coat and be prepared to work along with your child’s needs. Again, if they don’t like the way it feels or fits, they will not wear it at all and will be actively uncomfortable every second you force them to override their sensory processing disorder.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.