As summer winds down, it’s that time of year again—back-to-school shopping. This means I have to take my two reluctant sons, ages 8 and 10, to tackle the daunting task of finding school uniforms.
Our first stop was to find shoes. Like many kids their age, my boys’ feet seem to grow overnight. However, unlike most children, they are on the autism spectrum, which complicates the process due to their sensory sensitivities. Shopping for shoes can be a real challenge, often leading to stress for all involved.
We typically choose Skechers for our boys. While my youngest loves the flashy light-up options, our main reason is their extensive selection of Velcro shoes. My oldest prefers Velcro because it evenly distributes pressure and is less likely to come undone, avoiding potential meltdowns during the school day.
At Skechers, the sales associate measured my youngest’s feet first, and he gleefully selected the most vibrant pair he could find. Then it was my oldest’s turn. The staff member looked at me with sympathy, barely whispering, “He’s a size 6 now, and that’s in the men’s section.” Cue tears. Not only was this a reminder that my child is growing up, but it also meant no more Velcro shoes. I couldn’t help but wonder if this change would lead to a struggle every morning as he adjusted to new shoelaces.
After shoes, it was time to face the uniforms. A crucial thing to remember is: never run out of their favorite uniform pieces. If something happens to their go-to items, like pants, the resulting meltdowns are guaranteed.
Last year, I thought I was prepared and bought five of everything—just enough to last the week without laundry. But, as fate would have it, two pairs ripped and a third had a broken zipper. We were down to two pairs of pants. I thought I could manage until the school year ended, but my son refused to wear one pair because it felt different. Every morning for a month, we’d spend 45 minutes on the same frustrating conversation, only for him to board the bus heartbroken over navy pants that didn’t feel right.
This year, I vowed to buy even more uniform items to ease our morning routine. I pulled out last year’s pants for him to try, and tears began flowing immediately. “They’re too tight.” “They’re not soft.” “Why can’t I wear my cozy pants to school?” He was referring to his beloved fleece trousers, which, while navy, are not uniform-compliant. Despite the sweltering heat, he’d rather sweat than wear anything uncomfortable. We have this argument weekly about his fleece pants, meant for home and only when it’s cooler than 80 degrees outside. These discussions are draining, even for someone like me who usually has patience.
At some point, I found myself asking, why aren’t there softer, more accommodating clothes for kids with sensory issues? Why are such options only available in the toddler section? Then, I stumbled upon a remarkable story about a former CNN anchor named Sarah Lane, who created a clothing line called Comfort Choice Clothing. Her collection allows kids to wear outfits inside out or backward, with no tags, zippers, or buttons. Truly brilliant.
I rushed to support her initiative, but sadly, most items sold out quickly. Why? Because an estimated 16.5% of school-age children have sensory processing challenges. That’s a significant number of parents dealing with the same morning frustrations I face.
Why did it take so long for someone to address this need? Why aren’t more brands listening to us? Clearly, they’ve missed the mark. Kudos to the mom who did step up. If I knew her address, I’d send her a huge bouquet of gratitude on behalf of parents everywhere. I can’t wait to receive our first shipment—once it’s back in stock, that is. For further insights, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination at Progyny Blog.
In summary, the struggles of shopping for uniforms and shoes for children with sensory sensitivities are real and can be overwhelming. Thankfully, with the emergence of innovative solutions like Comfort Choice Clothing, there is hope for a smoother back-to-school experience.