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Venting on tactile defensiveness -- No more new socks for my

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

Every once in awhile I do something I regret, like buy my son a small package of socks when really I should have replaced all the socks he owns or not bought any at all.

It all started last week while shopping when I figured my son could use a few more socks. I checked them for softness, found a three-pack that looked good and bought them.

Little did I know that after three days of new socks my son would be throwing himself on the floor, screaming, and flinging socks in the air just moments after putting his old socks on. So I patiently try to explain how he has worn these socks before without any problem, and when that doesn’t work I talk about how soft and comfortable they feel. Eventually, when all else fails I tell him that I’m going to brush him (of course I lost my brush so it’s highly unlikely).

Soooo frustrating!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/18/2002 - 12:53 PM

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The only socks that are working in my house are some socks from the Gap that have lycra or something stretchy like that. That seems to minimize the sock bumps, makes them easy to put on and comfy. They are brightly colored, have snow flakes etc etc.

I feel for you and your sock problem. BTW, my daughter, who is not LD or anything else difficult also has sock problems!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/18/2002 - 8:14 PM

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i am no stranger to the sock problems!!!

i, too, used to buy only the gap brand of socks. my child would only wear the $6.00 per pair ones (he knew the difference if i got the cheaper ones - really). for 3-4 years socks were the monster in our house. for my child, socks were really uncomfortable and a mojor, major issue in his life. it was literally a nightmare for us.

i am happy to say that he seems to have outgrown it. he will still only wear a particular brand, but they are readily available (and cheap) and i just stock up on them whenever i can. just don’t tell him that i get them in the womens’ dept.

hope it passes for you too. usually though, one problem is replaced by another…..oh well.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/18/2002 - 9:24 PM

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I had to vent my frustrations on the sock problem because you’d think I could just have a break with socks!!!!

The shirt problem is much worse. Since my son will only wear shirts with at least 40% polyester (cotton/poly blends), I’m very limited in where to buy them. At this point the only place I’ve found a good selection is Kmart and they may go out of business!!!! :-o

What amazes me most is how sensitive these type of children are that they can tell differences in fabric. A couple of months ago I figured I’d start hanging his shirts to dry instead of putting them in the dryer (since hanging is gentler on fabric). I didn’t tell my son I was doing this, it’s not anything he would have paid attention to or realized, but he soon began having a problem with his shirts and stopped wearing many of them. I couldn’t believe it! They didn’t feel different to me (particularly since they have polyester in them!), but he could tell the difference.

And pants, well that’s a whole ‘nother story!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/18/2002 - 10:36 PM

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Even though my son isn’t usually tactile defensive, he will have these bouts of sock problems. This year out of the blue he started having pants problems, and I really think its because he’s obsessed with his penis ( in a normal boy way - not OCD!!) and pants with zipper flies were bothering him. And since he can’t do a regular button anyway I’ve resorted to pullon pants, but they can’t look too babyish..

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/19/2002 - 12:51 AM

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We had the sock problem to, b4 I knew the problem, I have to confess I would YELL at her and tell her until she made enought money to buy custom made socks, GET THEM ON AND GET THEM ON NOW.

Yikes, made for some very uncomfortable, screaming mornings.

Fortunately, she seems to have outgrown the sock problem; however we still have noise and light senstivity…

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