Society has always judged females on their physical appearance. Images from magazines, TV and Instagram reflect current beauty and fashion norms, with models and celebrities reinforcing such trends.
As a result of their sensory issues, many neurodivergent girls experience problems when trying to adhere to such ideals:-
- Going to the hairdressers may be a painful experience, but keeping long hair well-groomed will also be difficult.
- Applying make-up can be challenging if the girl has issues with artificial products on her skin.
- The smell of perfume and other strong scent may be overpowering, and make the girl feel nauseous.
- Wearing fashionable clothing is uncomfortable when seams, tags, collars, waistbands and labels rub and irritate the skin, and shoes feel too tight and restrictive.
- Coarse fabrics like jean material, or artificial fabrics such as lace or polyester feel so scratchy and itchy, they cause the individual real pain.
To help the girl with sensory issues:-
- Certain clothes never seem to go out of fashion, for example: T-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings and jogging bottoms. These items tend to be made from soft natural fabrics, and will be available in the subtle shades or darker colours that the girl might prefer.
- Buy bamboo socks. These socks do not have seams to rub and irritate the individual’s toes.
- Modify clothing by removing tags or labels, and flattening or covering seams.
- Wear a soft T-shirt under school uniform to help to limit direct contact between the uniform and the skin.
- If the girl finds items of clothing or shoes that she likes and are comfortable, buy several in the same style, but in different sizes.
- Accommodations could be made so the girl can wear an adapted school uniform: perhaps a school sweatshirt rather than cardigan, or school jogging bottoms rather than polyester trousers or skirts.
- Clothing that can be adjusted is useful, for example, shoes with Velcro fastenings that can be left loose or pulled tight depending on individual preference.
- Wash any new items of clothing several times with non-scented detergent to soften the fabric.
- Seek out non-scented, simple make-up produced specifically for sensitive skin.
- Apply generous amounts of non-scented conditioner to make the girl’s hair easier to style.
The problems neurodivergent girls experience with clothing and beauty products should not be underestimated. The overriding aim is to help each girl to find her own style: a style that is comfortable for her and enables her feel confident.
Pat Guy Education Specialist & Author 