SpecialNeeds.com

Dear Developmental Doc:
I live in Apple Valley, a part of Southern California that actually experiences a change in seasons. In October the leaves are changing and the weather gets colder, but my four-year-old son refuses to wear anything other than three t-shirts that he wears all year long. He gets colds a lot and I’m sure part of the problem is that he is not protecting his body from the elements. My husband thinks our son is just stubborn and that I should force the issue by making him wear long sleeves. My “mommy gut” tells me something else may be going on. Do you think my son’s behavior could be a signal of a more serious problem?
Vera, Apple Valley, CA.

Dear Vera,
I always tell parents to trust their “mommy and daddy guts,” because no one knows a child better than his/her parent. What you describe could potentially be a form of “tactile defensiveness.” Tactile defensiveness or the inability (reluctance) to tolerate certain textures against the skin can be a type of sensory processing disorder, depending on the level of interference to a person’s overall functioning. A lot of people are defensive about the way certain materials feel against their body and it doesn’t necessary mean that there is a more serious underlying neurological issue. (For example, Gap stores have a policy where shirt tags are no longer used and specific sizes are stamped on the back of an item.) Other than his defensiveness to wearing long sleeves, you don’t describe any other issues of concern. If, however, you believe there may be a more serious underlying neurological concern or that your son’s tactile issues are but one of several “quirky” behaviors that he exhibits, I would suggest having your child assessed by a developmental psychologist and/or an occupational therapist who is well versed in Sensory Processing Disorder. The professional on your team should be able to assess whether you and your son are in a power struggle over what he wants to wear (as your husband is suggesting) or if his apparent stubbornness is really a “red flag” of a larger underlying neurological issue. Wishing you the best in your search for answers.