Clothing Sensitivity in ADHD Teens

ADHD is one of the most widely studied mental health complications in the world. With millions of children and teenagers living with the complications of ADHD in the United States, pediatricians are parents are diligently working to find balance to improve the quality of life for their ADHD child. If your child has ADHD, and you have noticed there is a sensitivity to specific types of clothing, this may be attributed to the sensitivity of the senses that ADHD children and ADHD teens often experience.

As the parent of an ADHD teen, I have noticed that my son often has some difficulty in managing his socks and is extremely sensitive to the size and placement of his socks. Understanding that ADHD manipulates the senses and can lead to impulsive behavior, it is not uncommon to find my son spending minute after minute manipulating his socks - trying to find the right fit.

From socks to shirt tags to underwear lining and even to types of clothing materials, teenagers with ADHD often find that even some of the greatest trends in fashion are not easily worn because of their sensitivities to stitching or sensations in the cut or type of fabric. As a parent, this can be extremely frustrating when shopping with your teenager as often we do not readily understand why they choose certain fabrics or styles over others.

When your ADHD teen buys new clothing, you will want to first be sure the clothing has been tailored to fit your child and also make sure it has been washed with the correct laundry soap to ensure it is as comfortable as possible. Next, consider removing any manufacturer or branding tags that may be on the inside of the clothing as this often leads to irritation. If your teen still continues to complain of complications with specific types of clothing, completely eliminating that clothing from their wardrobe may be necessary.

For some ADHD teens, the sensitivity to certain pieces of clothing can lead to ADHD symptoms being exacerbated and often the clothes are not readily identified as the culprit. During the school year, if your teen has some difficulty with concentration and focus even when on medications, consider modifying dress or even removing clothing tags as this may alleviate an irritation to their senses that they were not even aware existed.

ADHD is a complex mental health and neurological complication that affects every aspect of a teenager's life. To make life simpler for your teen, allow them to choose clothes that fit their style but also reduce their sense irritations. When done properly, your teen can focus better at school and have a more product shopping and fashion setting experience.

Sources: Parenting Special Needs Children 2006; 43:122-123