So relieved to find this site

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So relieved to find this site

by Melissa
(Massachusetts)

I am a 34 year old mom of 4 kids. I have 3 boys & one girl. My daughter who is 4 years old, always from the time of her birth had an issue with clothes & shoes, and the problem only seemed to get worse as she grew older. When she was 2 years old I asked our family pediatrician why she was having major issues with clothing & shoes and he stated she was to young to diagnose.

Now at 4 years old, we cannot even go anywhere without her freaking out about clothes and she only wants to wear dresses, one pair of shoes,and only certain underwear. If she does not have these "only clothes" she freaks out & screams & screams and I have had to force her to wear jeans. When we get in the car she just takes them off stripping down to her underwear in a rage.

When I have gone to my son's football games she has thrown herself on the ground screaming her shoes are not tight enough... I felt so helpless because all my other kids don't have this type of behavior. Other than the clothes issue's she is a very smart,beautiful,loving little girl... I was very afraid I would never be able to send her to school with these issues.

Finally, I called her pediatrician and said please, I really think this is an issue, I can't go anywhere with her in the fall/winter because she only wants to wear dresses & tappy shoes as she calls them in 40 degree weather... I am looking like a horrible parent... I have missed out on a lot of my sixteen year old, who is graduating next year, events due to this behavior of my daughter.

The doctor referred me to a specialist that deals with clothing sensory, so I am crossing my fingers... I decided on my own to do some research & found this site... wow I am pure tears of joy in my eyes... that finally this was understood... and that I wasn't a bad parent... it was nice to know we were not the only ones dealing with this... I am hoping we will be able to treat this... and my little princess can go to school like she so wants to.

I know she does not want to feel that way... it's something out of her control... and it breaks my heart to see her freaking out over clothes & shoes. I cannot wait to meet this specialist & start working on her clothing issues... so I can enjoy my daughter & start taking my family places without the screaming & rages over clothes...

Thank you for all those that have written for us parents to read.. it really helps to see we are not the only one...

sincerely,

Melissa from Massachusetts

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So relieved to find this site

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Sep 30, 2009
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Great Offer On Stylish Clothing
by: Anonymous

hi this is a very helpful post motel rocks coupon this is a great site

Sep 09, 2009
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HH please join www.sensoryplanet.com
by: Anonymous

HH -you are the only other parent with a child with issues of clothing on the waist. Please message me in sensoryplanet. Jackie

Aug 20, 2009
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clothing
by: Anonymous

This website has been so helpful to find other parents with similar situations. My daughter has also has struggled with tactile defensiveness for several years. The brushing program did not work for her either. We have tried different things with our schedule to help her out. She does much better with a lot of deep pressure and deep muscle work.

I have found that there is Hanes Microfiber underwear that work well for her. They don't have the same elastic band as the other underwear. She wears them more on her hips than up around her waist. She will make things excessively tight to help it not driver her crazy. I am amazed at the coping mechanisms that these young children will use to try to get through everyday activities.

Aug 17, 2009
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TACTILE DEFENSIVENES/clothing issues
by: Anonymous

I also have a 4 year old daughter who hates to wear clothes. She insists that they hurt her. She hates seams, elastic, tags, threads, etc. She stays totally naked when she is home and when we go out in public the only things we are able to keep on her are dresses and a few select flip-flops. She absolutely refuses to wear underwear and socks (even seamless socks).

We were finally able to have her diagnosed as having tactile defensiveness and her OT recommended doing the Wilbager brushing technique and also listening therapy but we have not managed to follow through with these. She doesn't like wearing the the big, awkward earphones and she thinks the brushing hurts even. Time has been a factor for us as well. She also refuses to tie the strings on her dresses . she has also been chewing on alot of things.

She found all of her big sister's new pencils for school and bit all the erasers off and made bite marks on the pencil. She also asks for cold baths often and popsicles and doesn't care to go with out the proper clothes in cold weather even. she will wear shoes without socks and get blisters and sores to the point where her little feet are bleeding but she insists the pain of the socks is worse. she doesn't like the feel of hardly any fabrics, she has issues with our furniture, bedding, and even my clothes and skin when she tries to sit on my lap.

The few times this summer that we've managed to make her wear (exercise/lycra ) pants she will wear a long shirt over them to conceal the fact that she isn't wearing underwear and also has her pants pulled down. she can not stand anything on her belly or waist. she also has issues with her female area.( her legs often get galded and chapped and she often gets infections which the pediatric gynecologist said was vaginitis. I personally thinks she may be getting yeast infections (she had thrush as an infant) I cannot seem to find any help. I am absolutely desperate.

The message from Melissa in Massachusetts that I just read is the first story that sounds remotely close to her. I would love to be able to contact you. Will you please tell me if you were able to find someone who could help your 4 yr. old daughter. And also tell me what type of underwear she will wear. I have tried everything that I have found available for purchase and she hates it all.If anyone can relate to any of this please contact me.Thanks! HH

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Aug 17, 2009
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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I also have a 4 year old daughter who hates to wear clothes. She insists that they hurt her. She hates seams, elastic, tags, threads, etc. She stays totally naked when she is home and when we go out in public the only things we are able to keep on her are dresses and a few select flip-flops. She absolutely refuses to wear underwear and socks (even seamless socks). We were finally able to have her diagnosed as having tactile defensiveness and her OT recommended doing the Wilbager brushing technique and also listening therapy but we have not managed to follow through with these. She doesn't like wearing the the big, awkward earphones and she thinks the brushing hurts even. Time has been a factor for us as well. She also refuses to tie the strings on her dresses . she has also been chewing on alot of things. She found all of her big sister's new pencils for school and bit all the erasers off and made bite marks on the pencil. She also asks for cold baths often and popsicles and doesn't care to go with out the proper clothes in cold weather even. she will wear shoes without socks and get blisters and sores to the point where her little feet are bleeding but she insists the pain of the socks is worse. she doesn't like the feel of hardly any fabrics, she has issues with our furniture, bedding, and even my clothes and skin when she tries to sit on my lap. The few times this summer that we've managed to make her wear (exercise/lycra ) pants she will wear a long shirt over them to conceal the fact that she isn't wearing underwear and also has her pants pulled down. she can not stand anything on her belly or waist. she also has issues with her female area.( her legs often get galded and chapped and she often gets infections which the pediatric gynecologist said was vaginitis. I personally thinks she may be getting yeast infections (she had thrush as an infant) I cannot seem to find any help. I am absolutely desperate. The message from Melissa in Massachusetts that I just read is the first story that sounds remotely close to her. I would love to be able to contact you. Will you please tell me if you were able to find someone who could help your 4 yr. old daughter. And also tell me what type of underwear she will wear. I have tried everything that I have found available for purchase and she hates it all.If anyone can relate to any of this please contact me.Thanks! HH

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Nov 22, 2008
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MY SON IS SPD TOO
by: Anonymous

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. MY SON IS ABOUT TO TURN 6 AND WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH HIS CLOTHING ISSUE FOR 3 YEARS NOW. HE JUST STARTED KINDERGARTEN AND I ASKED HIS GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WHY HE THROWS FITS BECAUSE I MAKE HIM WEAR UNDERWEAR, SOCKS AND GOD FORBID IF HIS PANTS HAVE POCKETS! SHE TOLD ME ABOUT SPD AND I WAS JUST FLOORED. THIS IS MY SON EXACTLY! I AM ALSO GOING TO SEEK OTHER HELP FOR HIM BUT FIRST I AM GOING TO DO MORE RESEARCH MYSELF. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF USEFUL INFO FOR PARENTS LIKE US OUT THERE AND IF ALL IT TAKES FOR HIM TO BE HAPPY IS SEAMLESS CLOTHES THEN IM ALL FOR IT!

THANKS, SYMPATHETIC IN GILBERT S.C.

Nov 18, 2008
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Wow!
by: Sarah

I have been battling these same issues with my daughter who just turned 8. She is late to school almost everyday because of it. She is now falling behind in reading because she is always LATE & over obsessed with clothing/shoe/sock & hair issues!!!

Oct 26, 2008
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Have you found Carrie?
by: hartleysboys.blogspot.com

Kind of a strange thing to ask, but Carrie Fannin runs a support group through Yahoo in EVERY state around the US (and some other countries). You can also find her on facebook.com, here is what that group description is:

We are a discussion group, and much more! Sit back, relax, and read. This forum was created to help you find resources about SPD and to provide links to multiple topics that touch SPD.

SPD International is building listservs in each state. We consider these the "second generation" of listservs. What began as a pilot program in Washington state three years ago was finally expanded to every U.S. state to try and bring parents who are raising children with SPD together in their own communities. And while we are doing that, we'll also work hard to continually bring you relevant educational material and information about resources, conferences and support groups where you are living and raising your child.

As of August 2008, we have active participants in 41 states and a growing international listserv for those who live in other countries. To join one in your state, go to the following URL:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SPDYourState (there is no space between "SPD" and the name of your state). Join the group in your state now and be part of a growing effort to build and raise community support! We think you'll be glad you did!

JOIN Your state group--and check out my blog.
Hartleysboys.blogspot.com

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Oct 26, 2008
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Submitted by: hartleysboys.blogspot.com

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Kind of a strange thing to ask, but Carrie Fannin runs a support group through Yahoo in EVERY state around the US (and some other countries). You can also find her on facebook.com, here is what that group description is: We are a discussion group, and much more! Sit back, relax, and read. This forum was created to help you find resources about SPD and to provide links to multiple topics that touch SPD. SPD International is building listservs in each state. We consider these the "second generation" of listservs. What began as a pilot program in Washington state three years ago was finally expanded to every U.S. state to try and bring parents who are raising children with SPD together in their own communities. And while we are doing that, we'll also work hard to continually bring you relevant educational material and information about resources, conferences and support groups where you are living and raising your child. As of August 2008, we have active participants in 41 states and a growing international listserv for those who live in other countries. To join one in your state, go to the following URL: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SPDYourState (there is no space between "SPD" and the name of your state). Join the group in your state now and be part of a growing effort to build and raise community support! We think you'll be glad you did! JOIN Your state group--and check out my blog. Hartleysboys.blogspot.com

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So relieved to find this site

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So relieved to find this site