SPD Support Forum

1. What brings you here?--My 3 1/2 year old son is showing some SPD syptoms--loud noises, clothes that zip, heavy winter jackets...


2. What is your relations to someone with SPD? Do you have it? a child of yours? Do you treat SPD kids as a professional? I am a special ed teacher in a small parish school--we don't have a ton of resources for spd preschoolers and so I am looking for some ideas, primarily with the winter coat as I live in Indiana and it is about to snow.

3. Share a little of your journey if you'd like.--I knew very early that our son was having some SPD tendancies. In my mind, he has a very mild case--he can get his hair cut, doesn't have any issues with food or water, loves to play and color. He doesn't like toys that are loud or loud noises such as fire alarms...he doesn't over react but he just covers his ears. Coats and sweatshirts are definitely the biggest issue. Last year it wasn't so cold and he got away with layers but we have some 20 degree temps coming and he won't wear a coat. he says they "hurt" or that they are too big. Weather the coat is too small or too big--he is bothered. I know that the more stiff, full coats won't really work but he needs something water proof for the snow. What can I do to help him work through this? We are in the process of talking with our pediatrician now but with being in a private preschool we need to tread lightly
4. Is there any immediate help you need? Winter coat thoughts.

Welcome to the site. I hope you find lots of encouragement here. The best winter coat I've found for my daughter was called a 3 in 1. It has two layers that zip together. Either layer can be worn alone, and zipped together they are extremely warm--she wears it to play in the snow in Northern Vermont. Columbia and North Face make several types. They can be pricey, but we found one in an outlet store.

I don't know if this will help but for me coat was the hardest! I know it may sound odd but for me in the coldest of winter I would hug a down coat, not wear it, and I would put my head right down into it. Even at 3 I knew to ask for it to be put on if I had to but if you said I must I would shut down. I am sorry for him I remember how hard that is. I think who cares if its different if it works!

1. Fleece (warmer than it is thick or stiff, at 20F likely thin fleece and something thin to block wind is all you actually need)

2. Cloaks (seriously, they're actually awesome but for some reason not "modern" and thus not used very much)

Other than cloaks, which I find the best option but most people wouldn't like to do, I'd recommend looking into what people use when they're highly active. They are built for people moving a lot so they have to be less stiff and less bulky. Thus, they're not as icky.

I actually didn't have issues with coats as a child, because I was only using active people stuff. First issue I had with a coat was the one passed down to me from my sister who actually wanted one that matched the styles of what others wore. It was way way stiffer than anything else.

Now I just use my cloak almost always. I actually find If function better with it.

I totally forgot about Wind Block Fleece. I have one I've worn for years and wear it most of the winter. It's very light but warm. They must sell them for kids too.

the possibilities!!! Superhero fleece cloaks, or princess-y ones