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Clothing and accessories > dressing & undressing
>> Dressing and undressing <<
Buy bigger clothes
Beth is difficult to dress so I buy her clothes one size too big. Tights and socks are a tricky – a couple of sizes too big make life easier for her.
Alternative to tracksuit bottoms
John struggles with fastenings and finding smart trousers with an elasticated waist is a challenge. In the end, we found some black chef’s trousers on eBay, which look smart and can be pulled on and off.
Knickers - which way round?
After a certain age, girls’ underwear doesn’t always have a picture or bow at the front. I use a laundry marker pen to draw a pretty bow or smiley face to show which is the front.
Socks made easier
We buy socks with coloured heels to help John get them the right way round. Trainer socks are even easier for self dressing, for example for a PE lesson.
Happier shopping
Once you’ve found a style and a shop which suits the person, stick with it. Internet shopping is also a life saver for someone who dislikes shopping or cannot cope with change.
Organise the wardrobe
I divide my son's wardrobe and drawers into different sections: school, going out and scruffy jobs. Now he can decide what to wear himself and he doesn't get nagged by me for putting his best clothes on to wash the car.
Reminder chart
We put a big colourful picture chart on Beth’s wardrobe door, reminding her only of the things she forgets to do (not all the processes of getting dressed etc). This saves many journeys up and down the stairs.
Stop losing things
We printed off some clip art pictures, mounted and laminated them and put them on a metal ring. We decide each morning what prompt cards are needed and we attach them to Beth’s bag. At the end of the day, the cards are checked. The number of lost cardigans and PE kit has dramatically reduced this year.
Finding your feet
John has a visual impairment and developmental delays and isn’t normally interested in his feet. One day we ran out of white and blue socks so I put a red pair on him and lifted up his feet for him to see. He smiled and giggled. Now we only put him in bright coloured socks.
Fabric conditioner smooths the way
If someone has trouble putting their socks on, using a good fabric conditioner makes the socks much stretchier and more flexible so far easier to put on.
Line up your shirt buttons
Put the unbuttoned shirt down on a table with the front lined up correctly. On the button side, choose the button nearest the lower chest or tummy and draw a thick line with a laundry marker between the button and the edge of the shirt. This won't be seen when the shirt is fastened. On the corresponding buttonhole, fold the shirt back slightly and draw another thick line. Now it’s easy to match up the marks, fasten that button first and the rest seem to fall into place.
Instant neckerchief
If you care for a dribbly person get brightly coloured flannels and sew a button to one corner and a loop of tape (name tapes work well) to the diagonally opposite corner. This makes a trendy neckerchief (folded diagonally) which is more age appropriate than a bib. Velcro is also useful and microfibre towels (try Lidl) can be cut to size.
Vest extenders
PHP (the baby catalogue) does vest extenders (a little strip of material about 2-3 inches long and 1-2 inches wide with three poppers on either end). These can be used to extend the length of standard baby vests if you have a child who still needs them to keep nappies on.
Popper vests
We buy popper vests for Shula from Fledglingswww.fledglings.org.uk which are great. It protects her skin when she’s wearing her spinal jacket and also helps protect her gastrostomy and jejunostomy. It also means her clothes don’t ride up her back when she’s being lifted or hoisted.
Coats and wheelchairs
Greg uses a wheelchair. I finally realized that if I make a large vertical slit up the back of his coat it makes it easier to take his coat on and off
Irritating clothes
Rajan was really hyper at school and irritable all the time. We noticed when he changed from his synthetic school clothes in to his cotton pyjamas he became calm and compliant. The synthetic fabrics (even the labels) were irritating his skin which he hated. So do check clothing and substitute it for more natural fabrics. Also always wash your clothes in NON-BIO washing powder. BIO seems to have an irritant in it that can affect the skin of autistic people
Mornings made easier
We set up a PECS strip attached to the bathroom door with a picture for each activity and a ‘what you are doing now’ place. After each activity (undress, wash, get dressed etc) John takes the picture off and puts it in the pot below. We were surprised at how quickly he picked this up. Even when he doesn’t want to do something (he grumbles a lot), if it’s on the PECS board he’ll do it.
Trouser trouble
When putting on trousers, put socks on first. It helps you slide into trouser legs much more easily.
Keep your balance
Sit the person on the floor or on a low stool to help them remain stable. They can concentrate on undressing without worrying about falling or losing their balance.
Troublesome buttons
Try and buy dresses that button up the front as they are so much easier to put on.
Cleaning velcro
Use a barbeque brush with short wire bristles to clean the hook side of Velcro. Sellotape just doesn’t work.
Which arm first?
Right from early on I've always put Bobby's right arm in his jacket first and now he's in the habit of doing it himself. It’s easier than putting the left in first.
Jazz up a collar
If you have a collar to support his or her neck and you want to jazz it up a bit, cut the foot out of a colourful sock and pop it on. You can even match with what he or she is wearing
Persistence pays off....
When John gets dressed we praise him at each stage to encourage him and so he knows he has got it right. It takes patience but it’s amazing what someone can do if you keep insisting.
Shopping can be fun!
Make shopping for clothes fun and exciting by having days out with friends.
Get the cool look
If finances permit, always go for trendy when choosing clothes and glasses. Disabled young people should be allowed to feel good about themselves.
In the right order
When I help Pete to dress I say “one leg in, two legs in” for trousers and the same for arms when putting tops on. The reverse can be used for undressing.
Make undressing easier....
Undressing can be less stressful if you do it earlier when the person is less tired. A bath before tea and a dressing-gown could be better than staying in uniform or day clothes until later.
A great place to shop
Try this list of outlets for clothes for children with special needs. www.special-needs-kids.co.uk
Choose the right garments
Zip-up cardigans are easier to cope with than buttons, and school skirts are easier than pinafores.
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