Getting Dressed Without the Struggle: Tips for the Tactile Sensitive Child 

For many families, getting dressed can be one of the most challenging parts of the day. While some children can quickly throw on their clothes and move on, others may struggle with certain fabrics, seams, tags, waistbands, or the feeling of clothing against their skin. As children transition between seasons, start a new school year, or adjust to changes in routine, dressing challenges may become even more noticeable. The good news is that there are ways to support your child while building confidence and independence with this important daily living skill. Here are 5 tips and resources to help you do just that! 

5 Tips to Help Your Child with Dressing: 

Stressors like change in routine, new events and activities, and the change in seasons can exacerbate sensory challenges. Below are some tips to help your child feel confident and comfortable getting dressed and ultimately promote independence and success with this daily life skill.  

1. Deep Pressure and Heavy Work 

Have you ever had a moment when you are feeling really overwhelmed and someone gives you a big hug and it suddenly calms you down? That is an example of deep pressure touch. Deep pressure is a form of passive input that can be extremely calming and organizing for our central nervous system. Some children benefit from activities that help their bodies feel organized and ready for the day before getting dressed. It is great to provide deep pressure prior to dressing, incorporate during the task, and even after dressing is completed. Heavy work is when a child activates their proprioceptive system through movement. Many occupational therapists recommend heavy work and deep-pressure activities because they can help children feel more regulated and aware of their bodies and help the child keep their body calm as they get ready to head to school or extracurriculars.  

Try: 

• Squeeze each body part after they don the piece of clothing 

• Big bear hugs 

• Roll up in a blanket like a burrito 

• Wall push-ups 

• Animal walks (bear walk, crab walk, frog jumps) 

• Carrying, pulling, or pushing a laundry basket 

• Climbing through pillows or couch cushions 

• Applying lotion with firm pressure 

• Rolling a therapy ball back and forth over your child’s body 

• Try sensory friendly and compression clothing

• Dry brushing
  

2. Plan and Reduce Surprises 

Children who are sensitive to clothing often do their best when they know what to expect. 

Consider: 

• Choosing outfits the night before 

• Trying on new clothes during a relaxed time of day rather than on busy school mornings 

• Purchasing multiple copies of favorite clothing items when possible 

• Washing new clothes several times before wearing them 

• Removing tags or choosing clothes without tags 

• Using dressing visuals 

• Looking for seamless socks or soft, sensory-friendly fabrics 
  
  

Learn more about visuals and their benefits HERE 

3.     Use A Mirror

Have you ever felt like something was crawling up your arm? How did you react? Probably with a bit of panic at first, since you didn’t know what it was. For children with tactile sensitivities, getting dressed can feel like that more often than you might expect. Having your child get dressed in front of a full-length mirror can help. Being able to see their whole body as they get dressed may create a greater sense of safety and awareness. You can also support them by talking through the process, naming the body part they’re dressing and describing how it might feel as they watch in the mirror. For example: “You just put your left arm all the way through that soft sweater sleeve, nice work! Now it’s time for your right arm.” 

4. Make Dressing Fun and Motivating 

Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. 

Try: 

• Racing against a timer 

• Listening to their favorite music while dressing 

• Pretending to be a superhero, athlete, or favorite character 

• Celebrating completed steps with high-fives or positive messages

• Using a sticker chart or visual progress tracker 
  
  

5. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection 

Dressing may seem automatic and effortless to many of us, but for the touch sensitive child it can be a minefield of discomfort, energy, and effort.  

Celebrate small victories such as: 

• Trying a new clothing item 

• Tolerating a previously disliked fabric 

• Getting dressed with fewer reminders 

• Managing frustration more effectively 

• Completing one additional dressing step independently

Helpful Resources for Parents 

Sensory Processing and Daily Routines 

• How Sensory Strategies Support Emotional Regulation 

• Creating A Sensory Friendly Morning Routine 

• What is Sensory Integration    

Visual Schedules and Independence 

• Visual Schedules  

• Do2Learn Visual Supports 

Sensory-Friendly Clothing 

• Lucky & Me 

• SmartKnitKids 

• Kozie Clothes Adaptive Apparel 

• Fun and Function 

Books for Children 

• “Fred Gets Dressed” by Peter Brown 

• “We Can Get Dressed” by Marion Cocklico 

• “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney 

• “Listening to My Body” by Gabi Garcia 

• “The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas 

When Should You Seek Help? 

If clothing sensitivities are causing significant stress, frequent meltdowns, avoidance of daily activities, difficulty attending school, or challenges with independence, an occupational therapy evaluation may be beneficial. An occupational therapist can help identify the underlying factors contributing to dressing difficulties and develop individualized strategies that support your child’s success at home, school, and in the community.

Want to learn more about fostering confidence within your child?
Check out our post on the Growth Mindset HERE

If nothing else, remember that progress is NOT linear. Your child will have good days and bad days, just like we do as adults. Celebrate every little win.

We hope you find this post helpful. Click HERE for more resources.

Have a question for us or a topic you want to learn more about? Send us a message HERE or leave a comment!