Understanding Dressing Challenges in Children and the Role of Occupational Therapy

Getting dressed may seem like a simple, everyday task—but for many kids, it’s anything but easy. Some children experience dressing challenges in children such as wanting to stay naked all day, resisting every step of the routine, running away when it’s time to put on clothes, throwing tantrums over tags and socks, or refusing to help with dressing at all.

These behaviors aren’t always just stubbornness. They often signal deeper sensory, motor, or emotional challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore why some children struggle with dressing and how occupational therapy (OT) can provide practical, family-friendly solutions.

1. “My Child Doesn’t Want to Wear Clothes at All!”

If your child prefers to stay undressed most of the time, it may be linked to dressing challenges in children caused by sensory sensitivities. Clothes can feel itchy, tight, scratchy, too warm, or just plain uncomfortable. For some children, especially those with sensory processing challenges, even soft fabrics can feel overwhelming.

You might notice:

• Avoidance of certain textures (like denim or wool)
• Pulling off clothes repeatedly
• Tantrums when asked to wear socks, shoes, or underwear

OT Insight:
Occupational therapists work with children to slowly build tolerance to clothing through sensory integration therapy. This might include:

• Letting children explore fabrics through play
• Starting with soft, seamless clothes they choose themselves
• Using calming routines to prepare the body before dressing

2. “They Get Angry or Upset During Dressing”

Children may become emotionally overwhelmed during dressing, which is another form of dressing challenges in children. It may feel rushed, difficult, or out of their control. Some fear putting clothes on “wrong,” some recall negative past experiences, and others feel frustrated by the daily routine.

You might hear:

• “I don’t want to wear this!”
• “It’s too tight!”
• “I hate socks!”

OT Insight:
OTs introduce calming strategies and predictable routines that can make dressing easier, such as:

• Using visual schedules so the child knows what to expect
• Offering limited choices to give the child control (e.g., “Red shirt or blue shirt?”)
• Using deep pressure input (like a firm hug or weighted lap pad) before dressing

3. “My Child Doesn’t Help with Dressing at All”

Some kids appear uninterested or unable to participate in dressing—one of the most common dressing challenges in children. This may be due to:

• Motor difficulties (e.g., poor hand coordination, balance issues)
• Cognitive delays (not understanding steps or sequencing)
• Lack of motivation or delayed independence

They may rely entirely on adults or get frustrated when asked to do it themselves.

OT Insight:
Occupational therapists help build dressing independence by:

• Breaking the task into small, achievable steps
• Practicing dressing skills during play
• Teaching through backward chaining (letting the child complete the last step first, then working backward)
• Recommending adaptive clothing (elastic waistbands, front-fastening shirts, Velcro shoes)

4. “They Don’t Like Being Seen During Dressing”

Privacy concerns are another type of dressing challenges in children. Even at a young age, some kids may feel shy, embarrassed, or vulnerable when undressing or dressing—especially in front of others.

OT Insight:
OTs help by:

• Respecting a child’s need for privacy
• Teaching appropriate dressing routines and boundaries
• Using social stories to guide children in understanding personal space and self-care skills

5. Tips for Parents

Here are a few tips that OTs often share with families:

• Turn dressing into a fun and relaxed activity, to reduce dressing challenges in children, and avoid making it a power struggle.
• Choose comfortable, sensory-friendly clothing
• Encourage dressing during playtime (e.g., dress-up games)
• Be patient and celebrate small wins—every sock on is a success!

In Summary

Dressing challenges in children can show up in many ways—from sensory overload to emotional stress or motor skill delays. Whether your child prefers to stay naked, struggles with buttons and zippers, or just won’t engage, you’re not alone. With the help of occupational therapy, children can learn to feel more comfortable, confident, and independent when it comes to getting dressed.