It’s that time of year again—back-to-school season. This means I must wrangle my two not-so-enthusiastic little shoppers, ages 8 and 10, for a day of uniform hunting.
We kicked things off with a trip to buy shoes. Like many boys their age, their feet seem to grow overnight. However, our boys are not just any ordinary kids; they are on the autism spectrum, which brings its own set of sensory challenges that can turn shoe shopping into a mini-crisis.
We typically opt for Skechers shoes, not just because of their stylish appeal—though our youngest loves the flashy light-up options—but mainly due to their extensive range of Velcro closures. According to my oldest, Velcro spreads the pressure evenly across the foot, a luxury shoelaces can’t provide. Plus, they’re less likely to come undone mid-school day, which is vital in avoiding potential meltdowns.
As we browsed the Skechers store, a friendly sales associate took the boys’ measurements. Our youngest eagerly selected the most eye-catching pair he could find. Then it was the oldest’s turn. The employee looked at me with a sympathetic expression and softly said, “He’s a size 6, sweetie, and that’s in the men’s section.” Cue the tears! It hit me hard—my baby is now in the men’s section! I felt like I was about to be swept away as I watched his childhood slip away.
But it wasn’t just an emotional moment; it also raised practical concerns. No more Velcro! Does this mean he has graduated from his midday meltdowns? Or will we now face 30 extra minutes each morning as we battle with those pesky laces? What if they feel uncomfortable or come undone? Will I be getting calls from the school nurse because he’s upset over his shoes?
After shoes, the next daunting task was the uniforms. The golden rule here is simple: never run out of their favorite uniform pieces. If something happens to their go-to pants, it’s meltdown city. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. Last year, I tried to be proactive and bought five of everything, enough for a full week without laundry. But as luck would have it, disaster struck. Two pairs ripped. A third pair’s zipper broke. Suddenly we were down to just two pairs! I thought, “No problem, it’s almost summer vacation.” But my son refused to wear one of the pairs because it felt different. We spent 45 minutes each morning discussing the same issue, day after day, until he boarded the bus, heartbroken over a pair of navy pants.
This year, I vowed to stock up even more. I pulled out last year’s pants for him to try on, hoping for an easy win, but instead, the tears began to flow.
“They’re too tight.”
“They’re not soft.”
“Why can’t I wear my soft pants to school?”
He was referring to his beloved fleece pants, which, while navy, are definitely not uniform-appropriate. Not to mention, it’s sweltering outside! Yet, he would prefer to sweat buckets than wear anything uncomfortable. Our weekly debates over his fleece pants being reserved for home and cooler weather are exhausting, even for someone as patient as I try to be.
At some point, I wondered why clothing options for kids with sensory issues are so limited. Why do these softer, easier clothes only exist in the baby section? Then, I stumbled upon an inspiring story about a former CNN anchor, Emily Carter, who tackled this issue head-on. Let me just say: this woman is brilliant!
Carter launched a clothing line called “Comfort Wear,” designed specifically for kids with sensory sensitivities. Each piece can be worn any way—there’s no front or back—and they’re free of tags, zippers, or buttons. Honestly, pure genius!
I rushed to grab what she was offering: hope. Sadly, most of her items were already sold out within months. Why? Because about 16.5% of school-age children experience sensory processing challenges. That’s a lot of kids putting their parents through the same morning chaos I described!
So, I can’t help but wonder why it took a mother facing similar struggles to create this line. Why aren’t more brands listening to us? Kudos to the mom who did. If I had her address, I’d send her a giant bouquet on behalf of all the parents in the same boat. I can’t wait for our first order—once they’re back in stock, of course!
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In summary, shopping for uniforms and shoes for children with sensory issues can feel like an uphill battle, filled with emotional hurdles and practical challenges. However, with innovative solutions like Comfort Wear emerging, there’s hope on the horizon for a smoother back-to-school experience.