Navigating Sensory and Clothing Challenges with a Child on the Autism Spectrum

Navigating Sensory and Clothing Challenges with a Child on the Spectrum

Being a parent to a neurodivergent child brings unique joys and challenges. You've likely seen your little one struggle with things many of us take for granted, like the feel of certain fabrics or the texture of their clothes. These seemingly small issues can feel overwhelming for them, often leading to meltdowns and stress for the whole family. It can make everyday routines, social activities, and school feel like a constant balancing act.

In this article, we want to share our personal story and offer a bit of guidance based on our experience. We hope our journey will help and encourage you, whether you're just starting out or simply looking for more information and connection.

Our Journey with Sienna

Our daughter, Sienna (Nickname, Sisi), is a bright and spirited 7-year-old on the autism spectrum. As she grew, we noticed that her sensory needs and behavior were a bit different. One of our first and ongoing challenges has been finding practical clothes for her. Simple tasks like getting dressed could lead to intense meltdowns due to her sensory sensitivities.

We faced another challenge with potty training. We noticed that when Sienna wasn't in a romper or jumpsuit, she would sometimes remove her clothes and engage in fecal smearing, especially during the night in her bedroom. We learned that some children with autism, especially those who are less responsive to sensory input, might seek extra stimulation through touch or smell. While this was incredibly difficult for us, it opened our eyes to a very specific need: adaptive rompers designed for older kids like Sienna.

As a parent, I struggled to find rompers, onesies or jumpsuits for children over the age of five. When she was 3-5, it was so much easier and so many various styles and prints. The few options I found 5 yrs and up at major retailers were often sold out or had plain, uninspired designs that didn’t fit Sienna's vibrant personality. This frustration led us to take things into our own hands and create Adaptism Wear by Sisi. My goal is to make something vibrant, fun, and accessible for families like ours.

The Adaptism Wear clothing line, inspired by Sienna's needs, includes items like zip-up-back, side pockets,  elastic inseams that can be pulled up for capri or wear as pants, soft, lightweight, and stretchy fabric. We’ve also made sure to remove all tags. These designs are meant to be stylish and functional, preventing easy clothing removal while helping children with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable and confident.

Like many parents, we started our autism journey with a lot of questions and uncertainty. Our experience with Sienna’s clothing needs became a part of a larger journey, but it also became a way for us to create something meaningful—not just for our family, but for others on a similar path.

Supporting Your Child on Their Journey

If you're a parent of a child with autism, you know that discomfort isn't just about sensory needs. These sensitivities can influence every part of a child's daily life, making your support and understanding essential.

Every family's autism journey is unique from learnings, day to day routines, goals, style of clothing and so much more!  The key is to recognize your child's strengths and challenges. Seek professional guidance, build a strong support network , and create sensory-friendly environments. These steps can help your child navigate the world with greater confidence and comfort.

Thank you for your support and following our family and Sisi on her journey!