Why Does My Autistic Child Refuse to Wear Certain Clothes?

Clothing can feel genuinely uncomfortable when fabric is itchy, seams or tags scratch, waistbands feel tight, layers become too warm, or a new outfit feels unfamiliar. Start by noticing which clothes your child tolerates best and what those items have in common. Keep comfortable options available, offer two acceptable choices, remove irritating tags when possible, and introduce new textures slowly rather than forcing them. Solving the discomfort first often works better than treating clothing refusal as stubbornness.