Why Do Children with Autism Dislike Dressing?

Parents of children with autism know that one of the most important daily rituals is getting dressed. Autistic children have a unique relationship with changing clothes. Usually, this daily ritual is accompanied by protest and negativity.

Reasons Why Autistic Children Dislike Dressing:

• Sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Children with autism often have heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory inputs. This means that the texture of fabrics, seams, bright colors, or even the temperature of clothing can cause discomfort or unpleasant feelings.
• Structured and predictable preferences. Children with autism may prefer a specific order of actions or clothes. If their usual routine is disrupted, it can cause stress or anxiety.
• Communication difficulties. Children with autism may have trouble expressing their preferences or explaining what bothers them. Therefore, if the clothing causes discomfort, they may not always be able to communicate this to others.
• Motor skills. Some children with autism may have problems with motor skills or coordination, making the dressing process more challenging and less enjoyable.
• Psychological aspect. Dressing may be associated with certain stressful situations or associations, making the process unpleasant.

To help a child with autism feel more comfortable with clothing, several approaches can be tried: using clothes made from soft and breathable fabrics, minimizing seams and bright colors, allowing the child to choose clothes they like, and gradually introducing new elements into the dressing process.

How to Teach a Child with Autism to Dress Independently?

In modern pedagogy, there are practically no unsolvable problems. Teaching a child with autism to dress independently requires patience and an individualized approach. Here are some strategies to achieve progress.

• Create a sequence. Develop a clear and simple dressing plan that can be repeated every day. This could be a visual diagram or a list of steps to help the child follow the process more easily.
• Use visual prompts. Visual diagrams and cards with images can help the child understand and remember the sequence of actions. For example, photos or pictures showing each step of the dressing process can be useful.
• Step-by-step learning advantage. Break the dressing process into small steps and teach them gradually. Start with one piece of clothing (e.g., socks) and, as the child masters each step, add other items.
• Use social stories. Social stories are short narratives that explain what is happening and why. They can help the child understand why dressing is important and how to do it.
• Clothing choices. Allow the child to participate in choosing clothes. This can help them feel more involved and motivated. Pay attention to the texture and comfort of the clothes to avoid sensory discomfort.
• Model behavior. Show the child how to dress by demonstrating the process in front of them. You can use dolls or toys to visually explain how to dress.
• Use praise and rewards. Praise the child for each achieved step and use positive reinforcement. This could be verbal praise, stickers, or other small rewards.
• Use timers and reminders. If the child understands time better through visual or auditory signals, a timer can help them understand how much time they have to get dressed.
• Patience and repetition. Don’t expect the child to learn to dress immediately. Regular practice and patience will help develop the necessary skills.

Autism Correction through Cell Therapy

Bone marrow transplantation is recognized as one of the promising methods of autism correction in many countries worldwide. At the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, for over 10 years, they have been performing stem cell transplant operations, using both the child’s own and donor stem cells. The high effectiveness of this therapy is confirmed by dozens of our patients around the world.

We invite you to receive a consultation on autism or ASD therapy in Georgia!