Soft Clothing: Helps With Sensory Needs, Feels Good to All Kids

on March 12, 2010 at 7:30 AM

Soft Clothing for All Children is clothing designed for children with sensitivity to the texture and feel of clothing, a common symptom of Autism, Aspergers and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Of course, it's also adorable and well priced for all kids!

Soft Party Dress, $22

Long Sleeve Soft Sensory Tee, $15 and Soft Classic Chino, $22

More than 1 in 150 children have sensory needs and struggle to find comfort in their own clothing. That's a lot of kids struggling over a pretty basic need.

Ten-year old Darius (pictured on right in group photo at top) has hypersensitivity to clothing. He has struggled with this issue his whole life and coped by wearing a "uniform" of women's pajama pants and an old T-shirt every day. His mom was thrilled when she found the Soft Clothing solution for her son.

So what's different about Soft Clothing? Soft Clothing uses flat seaming on all its garments, which means seams don't stick up or out. They digitally print their labels and detailing like buttons, zippers, woven fabrics, and applique designs so that garments are non-irritating to the skin. This way many of their clothes look a little dressier but still feel like a sweatsuit or t-shirt. Even the socks are constructed to eliminate the irritating toe seam.

Soft Clothing creator Jessica Ralli is a special educator and activist for children with Autism. Way to go, Jessica!

Do your kids have a sensitivity to tags or the texture and feel of clothing? How have you dealt with it?

About the author Sheri Reed

is a writer and the Entertainment, News & Sports editor for The Stir. She loves a good film, watches lots of good TV and follows Ryan Gosling's every move because she has to -- for work.

Filed Under: clothes, special needs

Comments (5)

justanotherjen

on Mar 12, 2010 at 9:09 AM

Interesting. I don't think any of my kids have that problem but I did to an extent as a kid. Tags drove me bonkers and cutting them off just left that little ridge that would eat into your neck. I hate collars and constantly pull on things that aren't v-neck (my dad just cuts the collars out of his t-shirts). The seams never seemed to bother me, though but I did wear really baggy clothes growing up. And I hated pants with waistbands (like jeans) that didn't stretch. Even now I spaz out if I can feel the tag of my jeans and at night I have to tuck my shirt in because the feeling of air on my back while I'm sleep drives me nuts.

I do have sensory issues but it has more to do with my finger tips. I can not drag my hand over a piece of fabric without cringing. It's like fingernails on a chalk bored to me. I also can't put lotion on. That's a real pain in the summer when the kids need sunblock on. Luckily they are now all old enough to rub their own lotion in because it makes me want to scream just to feel it on my fingers (and, no, I rarely wear sunblock myself if my husband isn't around to put it on me).

I do love the feel of those vintage fabrics they have out now. They feel so soft and soothing against my skin and most shirts don't have tags in them anymore which is so nice.

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lmgariano

on Mar 12, 2010 at 1:29 PM

My son is autistic and definately has sensitivity to clothing. He hates jeans. Some clothes he will tolerate for going out or to school but immediately changes when he gets home in the afternoon. He really loves that shiney smooth stretchy fabric they use for athletic clothing. I usually try to buy him clothes in that since it is his favorite. I love that more clothing companies are printing their labels instead of those awful tags.

aurorabunny

on Mar 13, 2010 at 10:04 AM

Very cool, I will have to check this company out!

Mi_Chelly

on Mar 16, 2010 at 4:04 AM

Thank you! My son has sensory issues and refuses to wear anything but three shirts that he had warn down to be comfortable. He refuses anything new because of the feel. I am so going to look into this company!

3rdTimeJoining

on Mar 16, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Thanks for sharing! I'm not fully sure if Brett has sensory issues to clothing, sometimes he'll take his socks off, and rarely his pants, but that's about it. But I mean if this will help him, I definitely have to check it out!