socks and shoes | Autism PDD
I'm really sensitive about the way my shoes and socks have to fit and feel too. I rarely wear closed toed shoes. My 5yo dd is very picky about her socks and the way the seam goes across the top and I have to get it just right. I was going to search for some seamless socks. 
I just posted a very long thread about Mason already struggling at school...well his spec. ed teacher just called and said that all afternoon Mason has been pulling his socks and shoes off.
So I'm wondering if one of his problems isn't this...he absolutely hates wearing socks and shoes...we have a "ritual" where I put his socks and shoes on and says they feel wrong, pulls them off and I start over...we go through this like 10 times before he finally feels comfortable enough to leave them on.
I buy socks that a little too small for him because if they bunch up inside the shoe AT ALL he rips them off. I also go on a hunt for the "perfect" shoe...it needs to be loose enough for him to comfortably get them on his feet, but tight enough not to allow for too much wiggle room, does that make sense, lol?
Do any of you go through this? Is there anything I can be doing to "desensitize" his feet? Do any of you know if they make socks that don't have seams by the toe...I know with Mason if that seam is not positioned just right over his toe, he rips it off. I mean his feet can't be all that sensitive because he runs around barefoot on sidewalks, grass, even rocks and gravel and it doesn't bother him at all, but yet he can't stand the feel of socks, shoes or even sandals on his feet. Is this common? I hate it when he outgrows his shoes, because even though we have to go through our daily ritual of taking them on and off 10 times, they still get broken in to a good point that then once they are on, he is fine. I have had him breaking in his new shoes for a couple of weeks now, and he seemed to be ok with them, once we get them just right, but now with the way this afternoon went, I am wondering if they are?
Anyone go through this...what in the world do you do? I mean he has to wear shoes sometimes, how can I make it easier for him? Thanks all!!
Seamless socks:
Sam is also experiencing technical difficulties with his shoes and socks. It is like this every season we change footwear - he's the last kid out of snow boots Our para is understanding and allows him to go barefoot now and we'll build up his tolerance bit by bit. I'm going to have him wear them for 10 min while eating or watching tv .Maybe it'll help.
mama to Sam 8yrs PDD NOS OCD ODD PPD and Alex 2yr I am ordering him a pair of those seamless socks to give that a try...wow are they expensive though, huh? But hey if they work, they are going to be worth every penny...I don't think our walmart carries them, I have checked in the past and never seen them, although I should check again. I just keep trying to stay positive, keep telling myself tomorrow is a new day! On a positive note...he did have a good night at home!
Have you tried putting him in crocs? Or using gel inserts? Will he wear slippers? Has he ever tried shoes with no socks? Or sandals with socks? Just brainstorming... Number one, why is it important to the teacher that he keep his shoes and socks on at school? This may be a relatively unimportant battle, and depending on the class setting, maybe it's an expectation she can drop in order to promote better learning in other areas. At my son's school, the kids have a pair of shoes or slippers for indoor use, but my son always kicks his off. He leaves his socks on, though. When it comes down to it, if the floor is cold or wet, he's the one who has to live with the consequences, and those things frankly bother him less than shoes do. My son doesn't appear to notice when socks are halfway off his feet or when his shoes are on the wrong foot, but we had HUGE problems with his snowboots one year. I think it was because the fur gave him light touch and/or the sole wasn't smooth (it got "pills"). I also hate shoe shopping! Have you tried putting the socks on inside out? The inside part of the seam is raised, but on the outside it's flat and might not bother him. With some socks it's obvious that they're inside out, with other socks it would only be noticeable without shoes. I've also heard that high-top shoes are harder to remove. Good luck with everything. my son is the opposite he hates his shoes or socks off he loves pressure so id say its because they feel firm, he falls asleep with them on at night and we sneek them off when he is asleep, even before i get out of bed in the morning i have to put them back on him, at child care the other day they took them off him while he was sleeping and they couldnt consol him for hours after, its funny how different they are! I just posted a very long thread about Mason already struggling at school...well his spec. ed teacher just called and said that all afternoon Mason has been pulling his socks and shoes off. So I'm wondering if one of his problems isn't this...he absolutely hates wearing socks and shoes...we have a "ritual" where I put his socks and shoes on and says they feel wrong, pulls them off and I start over...we go through this like 10 times before he finally feels comfortable enough to leave them on. I buy socks that a little too small for him because if they bunch up inside the shoe AT ALL he rips them off. I also go on a hunt for the "perfect" shoe...it needs to be loose enough for him to comfortably get them on his feet, but tight enough not to allow for too much wiggle room, does that make sense, lol? Do any of you go through this? Is there anything I can be doing to "desensitize" his feet? Do any of you know if they make socks that don't have seams by the toe...I know with Mason if that seam is not positioned just right over his toe, he rips it off. I mean his feet can't be all that sensitive because he runs around barefoot on sidewalks, grass, even rocks and gravel and it doesn't bother him at all, but yet he can't stand the feel of socks, shoes or even sandals on his feet. Is this common? I hate it when he outgrows his shoes, because even though we have to go through our daily ritual of taking them on and off 10 times, they still get broken in to a good point that then once they are on, he is fine. I have had him breaking in his new shoes for a couple of weeks now, and he seemed to be ok with them, once we get them just right, but now with the way this afternoon went, I am wondering if they are? Anyone go through this...what in the world do you do? I mean he has to wear shoes sometimes, how can I make it easier for him? Thanks all!! [/QUOTE] Emerald....I can offer no assistance, just empathy. Liam is hooked on his Thomas flip flops. They appear to be getting too small, but socks and sneaks are a direct invitation to a meltdown. Evidently be wearing these same flips flops straight through the cold northeastern winter. Please update us on the socks...I may invest as well. What is it about the shoes that bother him? Can he express that? Is it that they are too loose and rub against his feet, or too tight on his toes? Do the shoes bother him when he is sitting down and wearing them, or more so when he is actually walking in them? Have you tried putting him in crocs? Or using gel inserts? Will he wear slippers? Has he ever tried shoes with no socks? Or sandals with socks? Just brainstorming... [/QUOTE] Kristy...I don't know exactly what it is about the shoes that are bothering him...he can't express it except, "they feel wrong." I've figured out over the years that he likes the more snug socks but then he doesn't like the seams touching his toes, I have to sit and adjust the seam "just right" over his toes. His shoes I don't know either...it's not the socks themselves, because no-he doesn't like sandals much either...we just go through this ritual of on and off but then all of a sudden he seems ok with them and he doesn't bring it up while we are out, unless of course they get bumped, then we start over from the beginning. But for the most part once they are on and we are out doing whatever, he is okay with them. Wierd huh? I have no idea what set him off at school yesterday and now I'm worried that this started it's going to be a problem. It was a problem last year when he would have to wear boots and then put his shoes on...but it was more of a problem that the teacher felt he needed to put his shoes on himself because he would do his "ritual" with her and she said she didn't have the time to be adjusting Mason's shoes for 20 minutes...but again once he was settled, he was ok the rest of the time. So I guess I'll just have to hope this isn't going to become a consistent thing at school and just keep working at home to find the right thing to help him cope with the putting the shoes on. Again thanks for all the help!! Oh and norway...I'll try the inside out thing, that makes sense to me, but he might be "wierd" about the look of them...maybe he won't notice, lol. I'll keep you all posted if I find something that works. Sending some more sympathy your way! My guy has been wearing the same type of socks (this type of Hanes) and the same model of shoes from Stride Rite since he was a toddler. Finally this summer he announced he wanted some other type of shoes, but they are bugging him. Some days I have to take his socks on and off about 10 times before they are "right." This seems to be a pretty common problem (getting the shoes on, and leaving them on) in our circle. He used to take off all his clothes all the time, too, but that at least has been decreasing!
too. First, around age 2, he wanted to wear his sandals 24/7. Then, last
fall, he would always sneak off one of his shoes, remove the sock from his
foot, and put the shoe back on. I know, that sounds totally uncomfortable.
I was always finding just one sock lying somewhere. You'd think he'd at
least take off BOTH socks. @@ Also, with his velcro straps, one shoe he
would do normal, but the other shoe he would cross the straps like an X.
These things never made sense to me!
With sensory/rigidity issues, it seems like they don't last a LONG time, but
as one fades, a new one starts up. Walmart sells tagless clothes and seemless socks. I let Daniel pick the shoes and we go with what ever ones he likes and fits well. When younger he never wanted shoes off. Look at sensory defensiveness. This is the term for disliking normal sensory things. I can't handle tight hugs it hurts my bones.
he tries so hard to not make mom wait too long but it takes time to find just the right feel
My 2-1/2 year old refuses to keep his shoes on at pre-school--he goes twice a week. The teachers are always complaining how he takes his shoes off constantly and it's a problem because the children must keep them on in case of a fire or something. It's definitely a sensory issue but I haven't figured out how to solve it. Seemless socks sound good!My 10 yr old doesn't like shoes, just wears his socks outside and makes holes in his socks...he loves to slip on sneakers and won't use the laces...my 4 yr old hates shoes and socks as well and sandals too...he loves to be barefoot 24/7, although he will wear them when he needs to (school, walking, shopping)....I would highly recommend a brushing program...and brush the bottom of his feet as well...ask your child's OT...some kids need brushing to be very hard and some very soft!!!
LOL! I just can't get a grip on these sensory things...he is so sensitive to things touching him (socks, shoes) even his clothes...I always have to cut the tags out of all of his clothes just to get him to even put them on, he will wear them but when he has his choice he would rather be naked, well just in boxers. But at the same time he can touch a hot stove, break glass in his hands and not even flinch...so is he undersensative or oversensative to touch???
Must be a sensory thing with the socks, can he wear sandles to school?
We have been dealing with socks and shoes issues for a long time now. The resource Teacher lets my son take off his shoes in her classroom, It's one reason he likes her classroom. We started pushing in the seam on the sock right above little toe, it helped, you just kinda tuck it under at the seam. I do believe this is a sensory issue he loves deep pressure on his feet, does your son like foot rubs? Mine loves it. I think that helps too. but my son wont even wear his shoes farther than the car. Once he's in, the shoes are off. He likes shoes a little big and loose. flip flops are his favorite or barefoot. I would talk to the Special Ed Teacher or OT or Autism person at School and let them know this is a sensory issue with your son , maybe they can help. I wish we would have done more sensory work with my son when he was younger. Good Luck.
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