How To Choose The Right Clothes For Children With ADHD

Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often easily distracted. This, combined with their small size, could create a challenge for dressing them in the morning. To keep this concern under control, here are some helpful tips when choosing their clothes.

Go For Sensory Compression Clothing

Choosing the right clothes for children with ADHD could be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Sensory compression clothing may be an excellent option if you don’t know where to begin. This type of clothing would give your child a feeling of being hugged as it puts pressure on the outer layers of their body. This could be beneficial for those who are overly sensitive to light touch or have difficulty focusing on too many sensory stimuli in their environment. 

There are many different types of compression clothing for ADHD children. The two most common forms are sleeves and vests. Sleeves could be worn on the arms or legs, while a vest is generally used to compress an area from head to waist. Although believed beneficial for their self-regulation, these clothes are preferably worn according to a schedule prescribed by your child’s therapist. 

Avoid Restrictive Clothing 

There are things parents need to know about their child with ADHD. Aside from sensory processing issues, wearing tight and restrictive clothing could be difficult and frustrating to them. Thus, clothing should be loose, if possible, to make movement easier for them. If they have sensory processing problems in their hands or feet, it may also not be a good idea to wear socks because of how tight they are. In this case, it may probably feel better if the child wears open-toed shoes or sandals.

Also, it may be an excellent option to choose stretchy materials that will fit nicely so they won’t feel confined by their clothing. You may also consider giving them tops without buttons or zippers as these are easier for them to put on themselves. Lastly, choosing pants that aren’t too long or wide could cause problems if they trip while running around.

Adaptive medical clothing has also been designed to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with ADHD or attention deficit disorder (ADD). These are clothes made to accommodate the limitations of a person with disabilities and special needs. They aren’t just for children; they may be used by adults, too. Adaptive medical wear includes adaptive skirts and dresses so those who use wheelchairs could dress independently.

Go For Flat-Seamed Clothing

Flat-seamed clothes are said to be safer for kids with ADHD because there’s no risk the seams will rub and irritate sensitive skin or cause rashes. Also, some people might find them more accessible to put on than clothes with bulky seams. These qualities could help you in choosing the right clothes, as well, when it comes to your children.

Be Mindful Of Fabrics, Too 

In general, children’s clothing has to be made of natural fibers, like cotton, and not be made of synthetics. This might be more applicable when it comes to kids with ADHD as some may experience sensory overload, expressed in tactile sensitivity. This means they could be very sensitive to different types of apparel and textures of fabrics, like suede, wool, or silk.

Thus, clothes made of said fabric could cause more discomfort for an ADHD sufferer than for someone who doesn’t have this condition. Paying attention to how your child reacts to different clothes and materials before purchasing any new items is crucial.

Also, clothing tags, labels, and neck tags could be bothersome to kids with ADHD. They might feel itchy, or these may hurt their skin. Therefore, removing the tags on the clothing your child wears would be advisable.

Consider Soothing Colors

Soothing colors are usually less stimulating than other colors. For children with ADHD, it may be a good decision to stick with cool blues, greens, and whites on clothes like pajamas, nightwear, or underwear.

Also, it may be a good thing to avoid clothes with many patterns, stripes, and plaid. These clothes tend to be too distracting for children with ADHD. Instead, clothes in solid colors are more recommended for them. 

Choose Easy-To-Wear Socks And Shoes

Aside from having sensory problems, some kids may be easily frustrated when tying their shoes quickly to slip their feet in. Therefore, they may benefit from wearing shoes with large-sized fabric hooks and loop fasteners so they don’t have to struggle with their shoelaces. 

Short socks are also easier to put on than clothes that have bulky seams. Socks with fitted heels could also be a good option for kids with ADHD. These tips may be simple, but they could save your child’s time as well as yours.

Takeaways

ADHD is a complicated disorder that could impact many aspects of a child’s life. It could be challenging to find suitable clothing for children with ADHD because some articles may be too stimulating or not stimulating enough. However, the suggestions above could be tools for encouraging self-regulation and boosting self-esteem. 

Remember, with the right type of clothing, symptoms for children suffering from ADHD could be reduced. This could make a huge difference in how well your children do at school and in their social life, too. 

Andrea Shimmer

Andrea Shimmer is a child psychologist. She is specialized in managing ADHD and other special needs. Andrea devotes herself serving local communities and shares her expertise through blogging. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and reading books during her free time.