Adaptive Clothing for Kids With Special Needs
Features to Look for When Purchasing Clothes for Disabled Children
Apr 20, 2009
Since disabilities vary in nature, it is difficult for clothing designers to make clothing that is universal for all children with a disability. Therefore, modifying clothing is crucial to ensuring proper growth and development in the disabled child.
Many children with disabilities learn to dress and undress themselves if their clothing is not too complex. Finding clothing in the right size can prove to be a difficult task for parents. However, knowing the features to look for can help when shopping with a special child for clothes.
Features Parents Should Look for When Purchasing Clothing
There are many features parents should consider when purchasing clothing for children with disabilities or health related issues. Specific features to look for when purchasing clothing for special needs children are:
- Designed to foster independence
- Easy fitting — not restrictive to movement
- Easy to care for – machine washable and dryable
- Elastic waistbands expand as needed, but should not be too tight.
- Elastic cuffs at arms and ankles may make pants or tops warmer, but elastic should not be tight enough to leave a mark on the skin.
- Pullover tops don’t need fastening, but need a neck opening that fits over the head easily. Children’s t-shirts may have snap openings at the shoulder line.
- Raglan sleeves give freedom of movement.
- Medically required tubes can be threaded through various garment openings such as a shirt that buttons up the front. Another idea is to cut an opening in a pants pocket.
- Attractive bibs or pinafores can be used to protect clothes if drooling is a problem.
- Children who require the use of crutches or braces will require a different line of clothing. Clothing must provide additional, soft, absorbent padding with reinforcement to endure the ear and tear of the crutch or brace. Clothing that is loose and free flowing allows for ease of movement with crutches or braces.
Fabrics can Help or Hinder a Child with Special Needs
Clothing fabrics may be non-woven, woven, or knit. They may be dull or shiny, thin or thick, and lightweight or heavy. Fabrics can be water repellent and/or flame resistant, depending on how they are made and finished. Popular fabrics come and go as fashions change.
Knit fabrics stretch more and recover from wrinkles better than woven fabrics. They are especially good for many garments needed by special children. Lightweight cotton jersey fabrics are comfortable next to the skin because they tend to wick away perspiration.
Tightly woven fabrics such as denim, flannel, and corduroy are durable because of their weight and thickness as well as their fiber content—usually cotton or a blend. If worn over braces, these fabrics won’t snag as knits might. They tend to conceal braces because they do not drape or cling. Shiny fabrics that drape can empha- size any irregularity.
Clothing with large or stretch openings at the neck, armholes, sleeves, waist, legs, and ankles usually make dressing easier. Shoes with Velcro fasteners are easier to put on than those with ties.
Fabrics in clothing should help rather than hinder the child’s growth and development. Children do not like scratchy fabrics. Slick fabrics may tend to stick to the skin or allow slipping on some surfaces. Fabrics should feel good against the skin and be pleasing to touch.
 |
