Focused Distractions Comments

Terry Matlen: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Terry Matlen) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:06:42 -0400

Hi everyone,

PLEASE NOTE!

This blog and comments continues on my new site at www.MomsWithADD.com

Specifically, check out the blog on ADHD and Hypersensitivities at http://www.momswithadd.com/profiles/blogs/adhd-and-hypersensitivities

Lots of people are discussing it here.

Terry
www.MomsWithADD.com

L: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (L) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:59:55 -0400

My daughter does the same thing with wearing her underpants so low that they no longer function as underpants. She also loves crocs and flip flops although she prefers to be just completely barefoot. A suggestion for fall/winter- my daughter loves frog boots- the rain boots that are really loose fitting... She wears them with everything. And we have had a little success with maryjanes that are too big. Mine prefers loose dresses and has same issues over pants, esp jeans. Mine also sleeps naked which drives me insane. Good to hear someone else with same concerns!

Amanda: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Amanda) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:56:07 -0400

This is awesome to know that there are others like my daughter and im notcrazy. All my friends and family think i am and do not understand what is wrong with her. It started at about 3.5 and she is now 8. She will not wear pants with buttons or zippers, only cotton soft pants that have an elastic band and they have to be the right size cause they cant be too tight. She also pushes her pants and panties down as far as possible right above her privates. Does any one else do this??? The socks have to be perfectly put on her foot so the seem lines up on top of her toes and her shoes ar never tied tight. she makes a knot at the end of each lace so she doesnt trip on them but theyre prety much slip ons the way she wears them. I cut out all the tags in all her clothes cause they all bug her. she sleeps completly naked and has a bedtime ritual with all her blankets so they feel right when she sleeps on them, every night, the fighting has pretty much stopped once i took her with me to try everything on at the store before i buy it to make sure she approves first. i find something she likes and buy multiples in every color. also i cant hold her to tight for too long cause it makes her uncomfortable. also the flip flops and crocs are awesome for summer but when school and winter comes back around its gonna be an all out fight to go back to pants and tennis shoes. She doesnt adjust well to change in clothes no matter how long i give her.

susan zamboni: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (susan zamboni) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:41:31 -0400

Hi Michelle,
I have 2 beautiful children. I was so happy to see that I'm not the only one dealing with this issue. My 101/2 year old daughter sound a lot like yours. We have had so many tearful mornings getting ready for school.I make all of her pants . She only likes a certain fabric so I made them in every color. she is down to about three or four shirts that she likes,Only after I have cut off all the bands around the armholes and she has stretched them so much that you can see her whole body. She is already starting to develope and the issue of a bra makes her sick and, underwear she hasn't worn any for about a year now.

Thanks
Susan Zamboni

Miss Dipsy: Difference Between Inattentive and Hyperactive

nospam@example.com (Miss Dipsy) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:29:26 -0400

And what about those of us who do both? I find it difficult to get started on things, but when I've started on a course of action and I'm caught up in it, I find it really hard to tear myself away!

Michelle: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Michelle) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:48:39 -0400

Hello, I feel that I can relate to what all of you have mentioned. I have 3 great children and each is very different. My 10 year old has issues with many types of clothing. I try very hard to understand her and help her with it but it's getting so difficult as her body is starting to change even more. When she was little, the first "strange" thing that we noticed was that she wanted to wear her bathing suit to bed every night. Now, she hates wearing anything tight and gets upset about everything that she has to wear unless it's whatever she wore the day before. She struggles with so much, underwear (the worst she wear great big briefs), pants (only cotton with elastic waists), socks, shoes, shirts, coats, her hair being brushed, seat belts, even the head rest on the back of the seat in our van. I'm very sensitive to the issue and she knows that I try to understand how she feels. I want to help her but I don't know what to do. She looks for clothing in the dirty clothes basket and hides her clean undies under a cabinet in the bathroon, putting the dirty ones back on after she takes a bath which I have to argue with her about taking. She's a very smart little girl a real thinker like one of you described your daughter as. She's a little chunky which makes it even harder I think. Everything has to be really baggy on her. I feel so awful saying that I buy my beautiful 10 year old clothing in the women's section. She wears an XL and has trouble with them. They don't fit her but she won't wear anything smaller. She has beautiful long blonde hair and she never lets me pull it back or put anything in it. She always looks like a ragga-muffin. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all about having the best dressed children but I do worry about the cleanlyness of her clothing and the rep that she'll get for wearing the same clothes most of the time or whenever I let her get away with it. I feel for all of you. It's such a difficult thing to deal with and so frustrating every single morning. But, I'm a little releaved to see that we're not alone in this. I just wish I knew what I could do to help her.

mooster: Terrys Top 10 List of Survival Tips for the Holidays

nospam@example.com (mooster) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:46:08 -0400

Please, NEVER risk putting anything that could possibly be other-than-trash into a trash bag. I know they are convenient, but trust me: you or someone in your household WILL have a moment of distraction and, trying to be helpful and organized, will take it out to the curb on trash day and it may be 6 years before you suddenly realize that the collection of precious baby keepsakes disappeared in that manner. Don't ask me how I know.

kristi: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (kristi) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:31:45 -0400

So glad to find this site.My 4 year old has not worn socks since she was 2 and she will only wear crocs or flip flops. She only wears very loose fitting sweat pants and large t-shirts. She says her clothes hurt and freaks out most mornings causing total chaos. She complains from the moment she wakes up until she goes to bed.I feel like she is getting worse, she now refuses to wear underwear claiming they are to tight and they hurt. I've tried larger sizes and the sensitive socks but nothing seems to be good enough. She also has an issue with germs ad complains that her spoons at breakfast are not clean enough.I need help in dealing with this,has anyone had any success with occupational therapy?

Julieanne Braczek: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Julieanne Braczek) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:20:11 -0500

I can't believe that other people experience this problem , i actually just thought my daughter was quite mad. What a drama I have every school morning, she is the youngest of four children and is 7 years old. I feel like i am going to have a nervous breakdown some days. I have bought so many types of socks and shoes , its madness. So I thought I would just type in the basics of her problem on the internet whilst waiting for something else to print and I am so relieved its not just her. She is quite similar to your daughter, tough as nails most times but fussy as anything about her clothing but mostly her shoes and socks. She is also fussy about her food and even off hand comments about minimal things.
What exactly is it that you have done to help alleviate this issue, i would love to know before I go mad.

Julieanne
Sydney, Australia

Lily: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Lily) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:39:53 -0500

I was like this as a child and to some extent i am still this way. i hate tags and seams, things like bras still drive me crazy. i won't wear pj bottoms in bed because they get all bunched up in the sheets... I have to wear an undershirt (now they make those great tank tops with the shelf bras in them) so i can tuck them into jeans. i was a sock and jean sufferer as a kid and i absolutely love sweats. i still do (who doesn't)! I have gotten better at controlling my responses but it is gripping when you are in the throes of having to wear something that sets you off. i now have a daughter with some of the same sensory issues and i wish i could say i am more patient with her, but i understand, too, the frustration of not being able to dress your kid! hope this was helpful.

Rob: Ask Seth Godin a Question: Exclusive Interview

nospam@example.com (Rob) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:36:55 -0500

I'm a fan of Seth Godin for many of the same reasons you are - finding out he has ADHD further cements my interest in him as a person. I really find his blog insightful too.

I've sent an email to you with a question - looking forward to the interview!

Taryn: Ask Seth Godin a Question: Exclusive Interview

nospam@example.com (Taryn) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:13:55 -0500

I am a 40 year old single mom. I knew that I was different from the other kids since the 2nd grade. It was obvious since I was the kid that the teachers called....stupid, an idiot, a failure...you get the picture. I was diagnosed with ADHD and LD when my daughter was 3. It broke my heart. I have done the research, read most of the books, and have participated on the sites. There are two types of people with ADHD. Those who make it, and those who don't. I have yet to come across anyone that is inbetween. I never made it, and because of that I am broke. Please do not get me wrong, I step up to the plate and take full responsibility for my mistakes. My mistakes are huge and I know other like this. We may not make the same mistakes, but we will make more huge, hard and depressing mistakes. I own all the books, and some of the info is great, but remembering to put it to use everyday???
I have two successful brothers. One with ADHD and the other does not. The one with it has made it and I see the difference in us. He isn't driven to distraction. He isn't a night owl. He stays so focused that he has followed through until he made it. I am proud of him and I am never jealous of those who make it, I just wish I was one of them. I do not follow through. I have fifty-thousand "great ideas" and jump from one to the other. I am broke. I am poor and I know that it is my fault. I accept full responsibility for it, but I cannot seem to change. I have tried.
I am sorry, but the whole volunteer thing would not work for me...see, I need to make money. If I was the other type, the successful type, I wouldn't just volunteer. I would give those Adders like me a start and some hope.
I would rather not say how I make a little bit of money here and there. I have come to realize that getting ahead in this world just isn't in the cards for me. You need money for a coach. You need money for a business and I would need someone at my side to help me, because if I "get stuck" that is the end of that.
For all the "other type" of ADHDers out there, volunteer. Please remember that we only beat up ourselves for our failure and we are thrilled to see others make it. Envious yes...jealous...no.
For me ADHD sucks. I hate it and I wish I was normal.
I hope that some people get answers to their questions and it helps. I have given up.

Lisa Eason: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Lisa Eason) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:03:06 -0500

I am so thankful to find this article and all of these comments. My granddaughter, Alex and I read this article and comments together. It helped her so much to find an explaination for what we have all termed her phobias. I plan on investigating this further and try to find some of these socks and take some of your suggestions.

Lynna: Never Give up on your Dreams

nospam@example.com (Lynna) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:16:11 -0500

I have LOTS of secret dreams...I am buying a used violin to revive my childhood pleasure in practicing the violin; I would love to sing in a group, but my life in community theater leaves me no time at the moment. All good!

Shunnie: Some kids ultra-sensitive to socks, shirt seams, tags

nospam@example.com (Shunnie) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:49:54 -0500

I have three kids and believe they all have some level of sensory issues. My oldest two have already been diagnised with peanut, tree nut and soy allergies. My 6 y/o is so allergic that she has had 3 near fatal reactions since her first one at 10 months old to a bite ofa PB&J. I do believe there is some correlation.

My son now 10 doesn't like "fuzzy" socks or pants, wears flip-flops as long as possbile, can't have tags in clothes, nothing tight, sits with his hood on everywhere we go, hates boots and wears gym shoes in the snow, and always has to pat his food before he eats it.

My daughter 6 y/o (at age 3) would sob and struggle with her socks every morning for 30 minutes, wrestling to get them just right to put her shoes on. I happened to mention this to my mother (the kids' grandmother) and she called her a "drama queen." However, I felt she was truly hurting not acting. I recall being bothered by fabrics and tags growing up--it felt like little bugs biting me all day or a certain spot stabbing me maybe it was a tag.) But what made me more open to the possibility was the food allergies. If you are sensitive to foods why couldn't you also be sensitive to fabrics, smells, etc. I do not dismiss anything my children say or feel. It especially hard when they can't explain to you what the problem is but like more than a few mothers have said--you have to have a lot of patience. You also have to be observant and be empathetic. When she was struggling with her socks. She would say "it hurts." Socks shouldn't "hurt, so I was determined to find socks for her (did I lalso mention they had to be knee-high socks) and tights too. I found the socks and seamless toe tights she would wear at www.storesonline.com/site/tootsiesstriderite. I got the biggest SMILE when she put them on for the first time, no more tears! Now it's her panties.

In addition, my littlest one, my 3 y/o daughter is now having meltdowns in the mornings: having problems with HER socks (it's not from watching her sister because all her socks have been seamless for the last 2 years). She loved wearing sandals and shorts in the summer, winter has been a nightmare with coats, scarves, hats, boots (rainboots work great though). She will NEVER wear a sweater, sweatshirt or a scarf. Pants are the biggest struggle now, nothing below the knee, has to be "pedal pushers." At time she will roll up "acceptable pants" to her knees now. If something that I choose is a problem, I just let her go and pick and take note of the texture, fit, color, etc. I had to explain to the daycare what was going on because I was late dropping her off so often, and they were very understanding.

Hope this helps someone.