My 5 Year Old Almost Alway Gives Me a Hard Time with Clothes

My son could not stand the feel of underwear till a year and a half ago! He was 7 when he finally started wearing underwear. Crazy. He is super sensitive to the way things feel. He has outgrown most of his sensory issues. He used to freak out at loud noises, couldn't wear certain clothes, acted like you were killing him (screaming, the whole works) when you clipped his nails. Thank the lord he is outgrowing some of this. I just let my son go commando...I know that is weird but that is how I handled it. From what I have read most kids can outgrow these sensory issues.

Probably a sensory processing disorder. You can google it. There's good info out there and books on it.
I have a friend with a child like that. Not fun! But not the worst thing in the world. Now, he is 19, in college studing Jazz. Super smart and a hoot, but sensitive. He will be ok, mom!

The incessant questions that drive you crazy? Normal. Nothing to do with the hearing so quit feeling guilty, mom! Really, not everything is your fault!

Sounds like sensory issues.. my son is like that.

Google "highly sensitive child" and see if it applies.

I'd write all of this out (just specific sensitivities) and talk to your pediatrician. Explain that your son prefers loose clothing and seems very upset/sensitive to anything that is constrictive around his middle. I'd request a referral to an occupational therapist to screen for sensory processing disorder/sensory assimilation dysfunction, even if only to rule it out. I know several kids who have sensory issues and who are doing well with therapy with an OT.

The questions, repeated again and again, are common. Don't let that worry you.

One other thing: at this age, boys do sometimes get erections, so I'm not saying this is *the* problem, but something to be aware of. Anything too tight in regard to underwear may pose some discomfort if he does experience erections. (This is normal, by the way, and not necessarily indicative of anything upsetting or worrisome.)

There are websites that specifically sell items for people with sensory issues, like seamless socks and underwear. I would look for those items for your son.

As for the questions, I think that is normal for kids. Over and over and over. It's reassuring to them at this age.

They are all so quirky at this age. As you can see, he will move on to something else! Just go with the flow, if you can. I would have him help you put out two complete sets of clothes the night before. He can then chose what he wants to wear in the morning. Just about all kids go thru this at one point.

The clothes issue is most likely sensory processing disorder. My oldest has this.

It's so so so much harder for my oldest in the winter because of the extra clothes (especially shoes and socks). And she didn't wear underwear for a long time. And she's not wearing socks now, will only wear one or two pairs of soft stretchy pants that fit "just so," and will have fits over her shoes. To top it off, what does and does not work seems to change relatively often. One day she'll wear a pair of shoes and the next she can't handle them. ugh. Very frustrating for both of us. Just keep in mind that his brain handles the input differently and he really can't help it. And, I'm told, it gets better when they are older.

In the meantime, try to find an Occupational Therapist (OT) who works with sensory kiddos. We sent our oldest to one for around a year. It helped with bigger issues (whole body movement), but not as much with the clothing issues. Then again, we stopped doing the follow up therapy (e.g., brushing arms and legs with a surgery brush and doing joint compressions) during a time she seemed to be doing better. So, we could probably be more vigilant with the home therapies and help her more.

Good luck!

Does he wear athletic, loose clothes okay? Have him checked for allergies, food intolerance to dyes, soy, wheat, rye oats, barley, corn. I have a child who's skin is wildly irritated when gluten is consumed and ear drums rupture with soy consumption.