How to Buy Clothes for an Autistic Child

Shopping for clothes with children along is often a challenging task. It can be especially hard with an autistic child, who may struggle to cope with the overwhelming experience of shopping. This article will help you and your child have a low-stress, meltdown-free experience.

Steps

1
Pick a quiet, relaxed time of day to go shopping. Go when you know that the store will be fairly empty. Make sure the child has just eaten and feels calm. This will help lower the risk of meltdowns.
2
Take precautions if the child melts down or shuts down easily in stores. Have them do something relaxing before shopping (e.g. special interest time, swinging, deep pressure activities). Pack some essentials in a bag or purse—Wilbarger brush, earplugs, hoodie, gum, stim toys, whatever soothes your child best.
- Headphones, earplugs, hoodies, and sunglasses can all reduce sensory input inside a store.
- Encourage them to stim as much as they need to.
3
Consider leaving the child's siblings behind. Shopping with an autistic child can be a time-consuming experience, and stretching it to include other siblings might be too much. If it's just the two of you, you can be done sooner, so you can go home and relax.
- Consider getting a babysitter, or having the other kids watch a movie.
4
Remind young or impulsive children about how to behave in stores. You can read a social story about shopping, or give gentle reminders in the car ride. Don't simply tell them what not to do—tell them what they can do instead.
- "We use walking feet in the store. If you have a lot of energy, you can jump, and we can go to a park afterwards."
- "Remember, if you're feeling stressed, tell me right away so I can help you."
- "If you want to take something down to look at it, remember to put it back where you found it when you're done."
5
Set aside plenty of time for shopping. It may take a while for the child to process everything around them, and hurrying them could lead to a meltdown. Make sure they can browse at their own pace, and have time to take a break in the bathroom if they get too stressed. Patience is key.^{[1]XResearch source}
6
Have the child try on everything before buying it. Giving them plenty of time in the dressing room will help them notice any itchy fabrics, distracting tags, or horrible seams. Encourage them to put back any clothes that don't feel good, and assure them that it won't hurt your feelings.
- This is especially important when buying fancier clothes, which are more likely to trigger sensory issues.
- You may need to shop at several stores if your child has severe sensory struggles.
7
Consider stimming opportunities. The child may especially love clothes that are fun to stim in, and this can help them feel happy and calm. Look at both opportunities built into the clothes, and big pockets where they can put stim toys and comfort objects. Here are some ways autistic kids might like to stim with clothes:
- Long skirts are fun for spinning.
- Strings and zippers present fun fidgeting opportunities.
- Fur is good for petting.
- Chunky bracelets or bracelets with big beads can be twirled and spun in the hands.
- Soft textures are nice to touch and rub.
- Special chewy necklaces and bracelets are available at baby or special needs stores, or online, for if your child likes to put things in their mouth.
8
Point out clothes that involve their favorite color or special interest. Autistic people's preferences are more than what they physically can and can't handle. Think about their current favorite outfits, and point out clothes with similar designs and styles.
9
Keep your receipts. This way, you can return items that turn out to be uncomfortable, and you can buy several copies of your child's favorite shirts and pants.
- If a child or young teen absolutely loves an outfit, offer to buy it in a size or two up as well. Then as they grow, they can wear it more.
10
Keep an eye out for signs that shopping time is over. If your child is getting antsy or whiny, it may be a sign that they're overwhelmed and need a break. It's okay to cut a trip short if your child can't handle it. Leaving is better than staying and dealing with a meltdown.
11
Don't worry too much about their choices. It's okay to let them wander between the blue and pink sections, and it's fine if the clothes they pick aren't completely "age-appropriate." It's more important that the child finds clothes that they will enjoy wearing.
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Tips

If you intend to shop online, check the return policy first. Assume that it's likely an outfit that won't fit, or that it'll trigger unbearable sensory issues.
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Pay close attention to signs of stress in the child. This signals it's time to slow down and give them a break.
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If you find yourself feeling stressed, do what you'd want your child to do: try a relaxation exercise or take a break. This will help you cool down, and your child will learn to copy you.
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Warnings

Never blame or scold the child for their sensory issues. Remember, they aren't doing this to upset you, and sensory issues cause real pain and irritation. It's important that they understand that they know you care whether they are in pain or not, and that you'll listen when they say something is wrong.
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