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Autism and clothing

Invisible_meInvisible_me Posts: 476 Listening Ear
in Neurodivergence
Hi . So autism can make clothes choosing and wearing hard... anyone resonate?

I particularly struggle when the weather changes and it means type of clothing changes. Upto now I was coat scarf warm clothes till recently where whether warmed up ans I couldn't cpe without my scarf!! Li felt exposed almost and ended up crying and wrapping myself in a large fluffy blanket but then couldn't let that go? Can anyone else resonate with this?

Comments

  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,343 Part of The Furniture
    I find clothing specifically certain textures can have a massive part in things such as sensory overload and also especially with weather changes. I too often struggle with weather changes and I find it hard to dress kind of *appropriately* for the weather especially if its cold weather because I would wear a t shirt eventhough warmer clothing would keep.me warm. I tend to find I overheat quite easily which is why I prefer t shirts because they are cooler. I am also not a.big fan.of itchy materials especially jumpers that are itchy.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • nemnem Posts: 273 The Mix Regular
    I found it so hard to adapt to the weather getting cold took months lol
  • AnonymousToeAnonymousToe Posts: 2,731 Boards Guru
    I can relate to this - I wear a coat all year because I just feel really exposed without it
  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,343 Part of The Furniture
    In the summer I do wear a mixture of clothing but a lot of my t shirts tend to be black so you can imagine it being like super boiling out and black is an attractor for heat so going out in a black t shirt sometimes feels like I'm going to get too hot. But like I find my t shirts so comfy though.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • Invisible_meInvisible_me Posts: 476 Listening Ear
    I'm so glad to know it's not just me.. with me Im opposite though, I prefer being all covered!
  • Invisible_meInvisible_me Posts: 476 Listening Ear
    Can I cry, I can't cope with this weather and clothing. I'm covering wrapping my self in layers... its so difficult to leave the house
  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,343 Part of The Furniture
    Invisible_me wrote: »
    Can I cry, I can't cope with this weather and clothing. I'm covering wrapping my self in layers... its so difficult to leave the house

    That must be super hard for you right now to deal with the weather at the moment. I've been finding it super boiling in my area and I have been overheating quite a bit!.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • Invisible_meInvisible_me Posts: 476 Listening Ear
    Where I am the weather is reaching v.high twenties, full sun and its causing me a proper sensory nightmare!! Im supposed to go work tomorrow to that workplace where I already struggle.how the hell am I going to cope!!?
    Forget what I'm going to wear, I'll try either a cub sleeve top or half sleeve top then i hsve to wear a full sleeve thin jacket over the top, if I don't wear a jacket to wrap around me thatll be worse. Then I have to wear a scarf, I've got a thin scarf.
    Full leggings.
    Then I have to wear trainers as well to support my feet.
    I can't cope finding a balance between weather abd my senses
  • Sian321Sian321 Community Manager Posts: 2,248 Boards Champion
    Thank you for making this thread @Invisible_me. Sounds like there are lots of people who can definitely relate to these feelings!

    I know today is esspecially hot, and this weekend too. How are you doing emotionally? I can hear that sensory-wise, the hot weather can feel like such a nightmare and that sounds really overwhelming and stressful. As you said, finding that balance between being comfortable in the hear and meeting your sensory needs can be such a challenge sometimes, and it sounds like so many decisions to make daily too which can be tiring.

    I wonder how you might be able to take some breaks from the heat this weekend? Are there any places that feel safe in that regard?

    And I wonder too whether there are any safe items of clothing too that you could try to work your outfit around, so that there is at least one item that feels familiar to you each day?

    I wonder if using this forum might feel helpful to find support from people experience fimilar feelings - https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/33530/hot-weather?pifragment-73=4.

    We're here for you on Support Chat today if you wish to come along!

  • Invisible_meInvisible_me Posts: 476 Listening Ear
    Hi @Sian321
    Thanks for reply nice to know I'm not the only one.
    Yeah it's been a super sensory challenge and with clothes as well. I howeve couldve been a lot worse. I've got this thib long cardigan that ive bern able to wesr and had times where ive even felt able to takr it off so my arms have been on show. I've worn scarf and like that's thin and like wrapped that round me upper so that's helped mert my sensory needs comforting.
    Though realised having arms on show meant got "your so skinny commentd ", including managers at work ☹️ so it'd made me want to cover more
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