My son with #Autism will no longer wear shoes

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  • Post last modified:April 7, 2018

I really worried about this upcoming school year for Emmett. He hasn’t tolerated shoes in almost 2 months. He’s been wearing flip flops, which sorta seems odd but that’s all he will wear. 

He has to wear shoes at school, flip flops won’t cut it. 

I went out and bought him water shoes yesterday which he did wear for a bit before telling me they feel funny. 

  

The sensory issues he’s been struggling with for most of his life have kicked into overdrive. At least that’s how it seems. I don’t know what I’m doing to do for school. 

Brushing doesn’t help either because I’ve already been trying that. 

Between the bathroom and the sensory related clothing issues, I’m completely overwhelmed. These not only impact him but everyone else in the house as well. 

Trying to go anywhere is impossible or at the very least, met with significant delays. 

Rob Gorski

Full time, work from home single Dad to my 3 amazing boys. Oh...and creator fo this blog. :-)
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Guest

sweetiesmama Try to get him out anyway. He can decide not to wear shoes, as long as he goes out. I had that phase too in my life(1/2)

S Shefer

Have a look at the Society for Barefoot Living:
https://www.barefooters.org
Your son knows what is good and healthy for him (and really for everyone).
Good luck!

Mumanddadneedhelp

So I am wondering two year on, how did it go have you got your son in school shoes or any shoes ? I am having the same problems , my son has not been diagnosed with anything but I am beginning to think this is not right, perhaps triggered further by wearing crocs all summer. I would love to hear how you got on.

Mumanddadneedhelp

Or how you manage on a daily basis

Rob Gorski

Every single day is different. Some days he does fine with his crocs and others he really struggles with them. It takes a great deal of time, energy and patience. It’s not his fault but we still have to try to help him through it without pushing him too hard.

Rob Gorski

He’s worn only crocs since this post. It’s been two years and while he will wear crocs, he will not wear socks.

Mich

Hi I know your post was years ago but my 8 year old autistic son has only wore crocs for around a year without socks he has wide feet so can’t get the ones with fur inside as they are slim fit I have been searching for ones that don’t have any holes in them as it’s winter and his feet are going to be getting wet and cold just can’t find any crocs without holes in them sizes start at size 4 adult he is a size 2 if you have any advice would be much appreciated thank you.

Guest

sweetiesmama and was forced to go out anyway I really quick understood that wearing shoes will save me from more overload than they cause

Guest

Why not make it a goal that the school helps tackle? Maybe he wears flip flops to school as wearing proper shoes is a school rule, not a house rule. Then at school he puts his proper shoes on. Make them the bad guy

Guest

Recently been there again too part of it was worse when he his feet was growing also he has feet issues from his other health problem. I recently had to do new shoes and socks . Dealing with other sensory challenges again too. It can’t be helped only time pretty much. Working on Getting him to wear hats again too.
I would see about if socks would be okay I know at one school my son went too they let kids do just socks for awhile

Guest

Does he do compression? We found water shoes help, but it makes it better when they are adjustable so he asks them to be tightened.

Guest

Would he wear Crocs maybe?

Guest

Honestly, at this point he’s just gonna have to suck it up. I know that sensory issues can be problematic but if it’s a requirement to wear shoes at school what else can be done? Would it help him to just go around in socks for awhile and then add shoes? As bad as I feel to say this he really has to tackle the sensitivity head on.

Guest

How about taking him out to let him pick new socks and a pair of shoes specifically for school? He could try on lots of different shoes until he finds a pair he feels comfortable wearing, let him pick some brand new socks too, Wont after if they are pink or have batman on them, something he can have as his own accomplishment. and those socks and that pair of shoes are ONLY for going to school.

Guest

How about taking him out to let him pick new socks and a pair of shoes specifically for school? He could try on lots of different shoes until he finds a pair he feels comfortable wearing, let him pick some brand new socks too, Wont after if they are pink or have batman on them, something he can have as his own accomplishment. and those socks and that pair of shoes are ONLY for going to school.

Guest

sweetiesmama and was forced to go out anyway I really quick understood that wearing shoes will save me from more overload than they cause

Guest

Why not make it a goal that the school helps tackle? Maybe he wears flip flops to school as wearing proper shoes is a school rule, not a house rule. Then at school he puts his proper shoes on. Make them the bad guy

Guest

Recently been there again too part of it was worse when he his feet was growing also he has feet issues from his other health problem. I recently had to do new shoes and socks . Dealing with other sensory challenges again too. It can’t be helped only time pretty much. Working on Getting him to wear hats again too.
I would see about if socks would be okay I know at one school my son went too they let kids do just socks for awhile

Guest

Does he do compression? We found water shoes help, but it makes it better when they are adjustable so he asks them to be tightened.

Guest

Would he wear Crocs maybe?

Guest

sweetiesmama Try to get him out anyway. He can decide not to wear shoes, as long as he goes out. I had that phase too in my life(1/2)

Guest

How about taking him out to let him pick new socks and a pair of shoes specifically for school? He could try on lots of different shoes until he finds a pair he feels comfortable wearing, let him pick some brand new socks too, Wont after if they are pink or have batman on them, something he can have as his own accomplishment. and those socks and that pair of shoes are ONLY for going to school.

Guest

Would he wear Crocs maybe?

Guest

Does he do compression? We found water shoes help, but it makes it better when they are adjustable so he asks them to be tightened.

Guest

sweetiesmama and was forced to go out anyway I really quick understood that wearing shoes will save me from more overload than they cause

Guest

sweetiesmama Try to get him out anyway. He can decide not to wear shoes, as long as he goes out. I had that phase too in my life(1/2)

Guest

Recently been there again too part of it was worse when he his feet was growing also he has feet issues from his other health problem. I recently had to do new shoes and socks . Dealing with other sensory challenges again too. It can’t be helped only time pretty much. Working on Getting him to wear hats again too.
I would see about if socks would be okay I know at one school my son went too they let kids do just socks for awhile

Guest

Why not make it a goal that the school helps tackle? Maybe he wears flip flops to school as wearing proper shoes is a school rule, not a house rule. Then at school he puts his proper shoes on. Make them the bad guy

Guest

Honestly, at this point he’s just gonna have to suck it up. I know that sensory issues can be problematic but if it’s a requirement to wear shoes at school what else can be done? Would it help him to just go around in socks for awhile and then add shoes? As bad as I feel to say this he really has to tackle the sensitivity head on.

Mumanddadneedhelp

So I am wondering two year on, how did it go have you got your son in school shoes or any shoes ? I am having the same problems , my son has not been diagnosed with anything but I am beginning to think this is not right, perhaps triggered further by wearing crocs all summer. I would love to hear how you got on.

Mumanddadneedhelp

Or how you manage on a daily basis

Rob Gorski

Every single day is different. Some days he does fine with his crocs and others he really struggles with them. It takes a great deal of time, energy and patience. It’s not his fault but we still have to try to help him through it without pushing him too hard.

Rob Gorski

He’s worn only crocs since this post. It’s been two years and while he will wear crocs, he will not wear socks.

Guest

Honestly, at this point he’s just gonna have to suck it up. I know that sensory issues can be problematic but if it’s a requirement to wear shoes at school what else can be done? Would it help him to just go around in socks for awhile and then add shoes? As bad as I feel to say this he really has to tackle the sensitivity head on.