Kids with Asperger Syndrome and Fall Temperature
Help Autisic Kids Tolerate Clothes with Long Sleeves and Long Pants
Oct 22, 2008
Areas where temperatures drop in the fall months can be a source of aggravation for a child with Asperger syndrome. The need to weather warmer clothing such as long pants, long sleeved shirts, and jackets can be frustrating for two reasons. First, it requires a change in routine. The favorite red shorts may not be warm enough for a chilly October day, and the easy-on light up sandals are also no longer appropriate. Different “favorite” clothes must be accepted and worn.
This leads to the second frustration. New or different clothing, especially clothing with long sleeves and pants and those dreaded tags, can be enough to cause major upset a child on the autism spectrum.
Talk About the Weather Changes
This is a good time to use the child’s personal calendar to talk about upcoming weather changes. Talk about fall leaves, chilly rain, and cool weather. Use stickers to mark the weather on the child’s calendar as each day passes. Use books with pictures that clearly show the changes in seasonal weather. Be sure to include some books that show favorite traditions (Halloween or raking fall leaves) that will help the child embrace the season change.
Work with older kids to check the temperature on a read-through-the-window outside thermometer. Then have them record the temperature on their calendar. Use the opportunity to talk about whether the temperature is higher or lower than the day before. Try a math problem in which the child averages the temperatures for the week. With each temperature activity, talk about the need to wear warmer clothing.
Search for New Favorite Clothing Items
Consider the reasons that the summer’s favorite clothing items were so popular. Perhaps they were easy-on, easy-off items like shoes that could be fastened without tying or pants with elastic waists. Shop for clothing that offers the same features in a cool weather version. Perhaps the goal is for the child to learn to tie his shoes. Switching to tie shoes will be a smoother transition when he is not adjusting to the weather. Try an easy fasten pair to start the season and them introduce a pair with laces later in the season.
Another appeal to certain items of clothing is the color or design (such as a favorite character). Buying fall clothing with similar colors or with the favorite character will help in the fall weather clothing change.
Prepare the Child’s Clothing
Once the correct size is purchased, prepare the texture of the clothing. It is helpful to prewash the clothing to take out extra stiffness and the new clothes smell. Also, remove tags that will be scratchy and probably intolerable to the child. Include him in placing his new clothes in the drawers or closet. Being a part of the clothing change will give him ownership and a better chance of accepting the change.
Seeing the changing colors of the leaves does not have to be a sign of dread. Planning ahead with communication and choosing clothing carefully can ease the transition into fall temperatures for the child with Asperger syndrome.
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