Parents in our position often observe some strange behaviours, but what is it with autism and wearing shoes?

Autism and a dislike for shoes

As a parent, you may have noticed that your autistic child displays a reluctance to wear shoes.

You’ve likely tried tried coaxing, bargaining, and even gentle persuasion, but their resistance remains steadfast.

It’s easy to feel frustrated or concerned, but it’s crucial to approach this issue with empathy and understanding.

In this article, we’ll explore why your autistic child may be reluctant to wear shoes, offering insights that can help the situation.

Sensory factors

One of the fundamental aspects of autism is sensory sensitivity.

This is where children and adults with autism may experience sensory information differently than others.

For some autistic children, the sensation of wearing shoes can be incredibly uncomfortable or overwhelming.

Shoes can create a range of sensations, such as tightness, texture, or constriction, which may trigger an adverse reaction in your child.

It is helpful to put yourself in your child’s shoes (pun intended) for a second.

Now imagine if you had to wear something on your feet that constantly felt too tight or too loose, too itchy or too rough.

It would likely become a source of discomfort and distress, making you hesitant to wear them all together.

So your autistic child’s reluctance to wear shoes could stem from their heightened sensory perceptions and the resulting discomfort.

Autistic children can have the same difficulty with clothing textures and fits.

Communication struggles

As is commonly known, communication can pose significant challenges for autistic children.

Your child may struggle to articulate their feelings, making it challenging for them to express their discomfort or concerns about wearing shoes.

Instead, they may resort to nonverbal displays, such as avoiding or removing shoes, to convey their distress.

As a parent, it’s essential to observe your child’s nonverbal signals and pay attention to their cues.

Removing the shoes is probably a last resort, your child may have been giving other non verbal clues.

Be attentive to any signs of discomfort, such as increased fidgeting, avoidance behaviors, or distress.

By honing your observation skills, you can better understand their communication and provide appropriate support.

Routine

Autistic children often thrive on routine and predictability.

Familiarity brings them a sense of security in their surroundings.

Introducing new things, like a new pair of shoes, can disrupt their established routines and create anxiety or unease.

For them, the comfort of the known outweighs the potential benefits of wearing different shoes.

To ease their reluctance, consider gradually introducing the idea of new shoes into their routine.

Start by incorporating short periods of time wearing the shoes in a safe and familiar environment.

This gradual exposure allows your child to acclimate to the new sensation at their own pace, gradually building their tolerance and acceptance.

The act of actually removing their shoes may have turned into a routine in itself.

It could be for example that they had a pair of shoes which were very uncomfortable and got used to taking them off.

The offending shoes could now be something from the past but the act itself is now ingrained in your child.

Personal preference

We often as parents of autistic children look towards our kids condition as being responsible for all their actions.

However just like anyone else, autistic children have unique preferences and individuality.

Some may simply prefer the feel of soft socks or enjoy the sensation of walking barefoot.

Understanding and respecting their individual preferences can go a long way in helping them navigate their world comfortably.

What can parents do?

While it is important to encourage your child to wear shoes when necessary for safety reasons, it’s also essential to strike a balance that respects their individuality.

Explore different shoe options with your child, considering their sensory preferences.

Soft, flexible, or seamless shoes might be more appealing to them and increase their willingness to wear them.

Involve them in the process

If you can, take your child shopping for their next pair of shoes.

Autistic children often desire some sort of control over their environment and taking them shopping is a perfect way to provide it.

If you wanted to influenced their decision you could perhaps give them an option of 3 different pairs, two of which you know they won’t want.

This will then hopefully end up with your child chosing the pair you were going to select all along.

Learn about their sensory needs

Whilst shopping with your child or even by observing them at home, you can learn their likes and dislikes.

It could be for example that they prefer shoes which are tight or have a hard sole. From there, armed with some knowledge you can start to work on improving their shoe wearing.

Reward good behaviour

It is crucially important to recognise when your child is making improvements in this area.

You could experiment with going outside for just short periods of time to see if they can keep their shoes on for just a couple of minutes.

If they do so you could operate a reward system using stickers or even their favourite treats.

Use social stories

Utilising social stories or just pictures to communicate to your child may pay dividends.

You can explain to your child through images when and where we wear shoes. You could possibly highlight the dangers of walking barefoot to reinforce the message.

Summary – Autism and wearing shoes

Remember, every child is unique, and their journey is their own.

While it may take time and patience, understanding your autistic child’s reluctance to wear shoes is a crucial step towards supporting them in an appropriate way.

By acknowledging their sensory sensitivities and providing a nurturing environment, you can help them navigate their world with comfort and confidence.