Finding the Perfect Underwear for Your Autistic Child: Tips and Tricks for Parents

Raising a child with autism comes with a unique set of challenges. All autistic children are different, it is such a broad spectrum! But many of the challenges are common for many children with autism. Sensory issues are one of the many complexities that parents of autistic children have to contend with. Many children on the autism spectrum are hypersensitive to certain textures and fabrics, which can make daily tasks like dressing a struggle. Finding the right underwear for a child with autism can be a daunting task for many parents. In this blog post, we will help you find the best underwear for autistic child.

**This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here. Allow me to state while beginning this post I do know that there is a difference between saying “an autistic child” or “a child with autism.” I also know that some people strongly prefer to use one term while others strongly prefer the other. I understand both viewpoints and will interchange my terminology in this post to be inclusive of all parents of autistic children and children with autism. <3**

Why It’s Hard to Pick Underwear for Children with Autism

According to an article published by the National Institutes of Health, about 96% of children with autism have some form of hyper or hyposensitivity. Essentially, autism and sensory processing issues go hand in hand. In fact they are so intertwined that sensory issues are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

According to Autism Speaks, children with autism might have sensitivities to:

• Sights
• Sounds
• Smells
• Tastes
• Touch
• Balance
• Awareness of body position and movement
• Awareness of internal body cues and sensations

For autistic children, even the slightest touch can be incredibly overwhelming, painful, and distracting. This means certain clothing textures or tags can cause discomfort and lead to behavioral issues.

Think about underwear. If I’m to be honest, as a neurotypical adult I even find underwear to be uncomfortable. I can’t imagine the frustration and irriatation it would cause a neurodivergent child.

From the rough fabrics that underwear is most often made with (especially after a handful of washes), to the tags some have, to the stiching, to the string that the stiching is made from, there is a whole lot of stimulation going on in an already sensitive area.

I recall when I was a young child and first needed to begin wearing a training bra around 8 or 9 years old. I would try on bra and after bra and have my mom return bra after bra from constantly feeling discomfort from the fabric and seams. I was so sensitive to it. Fortunately, today there are a lot more fabrics and options than there were 25 years ago!

Why Finding the Right Underwear for Your Autistic Child is Important

Though it might sound like such a simple task, finding underwear that your autistic child will keep on is really the big lofty goal. And it can feel so unattainable at times when you’ve tried pair after pair of underwear for your kiddo, only to have them ripped off and thrown or to cause a screaming meltdown.

One of the biggest challenges that parents of autistic children face is finding underwear that their child will keep on. It is not unusual for children with autism to want to take off their clothes at any time due to the overstimulation it causes.

If your child is averse to specific textures or fabrics, they might feel the need to remove their underwear entirely. This can lead to discomfort and even safety issues if they wander without clothes on. Hence, finding the right pair of underwear is essential.

So, what type of underwear material works best for autistic children?

How to Choose the Best Underwear for an Autistic Child

Focus on Soft.

Most children’s underwear is made from a cotton blend that is pretty rough actually. Women’s underwear fabric is so much softer! Which seems so backwards to me.

Some autistic children may prefer seamless, tagless, and softer fabrics, which help avoid itching and rubbing against the skin. Such materials reduce the chances of over-stimulation and provide comfort to your child.

One popular underwear material that parents of autistic children swear by are bamboo. This fabric is more breathable fabrics and is soft, gentle, and hypoallergenic.

There are other super soft fabric blends, think about sports clothing materials these days. They’ve become very soft and advanced.

And always find tag-free! Fortunately, that is one feature that is pretty easy to find these days.

Now let me preface with saying you will probably have to try multiple underwear even after reading this post to find the perfect pair for your neurodivergent child, but this guide will help narrow them down immensely. I’ve done the research for you and pulled many different types that may help alleviate a lot of that sensory overload that underwear can cause an autistic child.

These options are made from super soft material like bamboo or other super soft materials, are tagless, and most have super soft to no seams, making these underwear great choices if the scratchy fabric or bulky seams and tags are causing distress to your child with autism.

Soft Underwear Options for Your Autistic Girl

Soft Underwear for Your Autistic Boy

Find the Right Fit

Another important aspect of choosing the right underwear for your autistic child is finding the right fit. When selecting underwear for your child, make sure to avoid tight elastic bands that can cause skin irritation or discomfort. Instead, choose underwear with a comfortable waistband that is gentle on your child’s skin.

Also, ensure your child’s underwear fits properly. Too-tight underwear can cause discomfort, while too-loose underwear can also make sensory issues worse. This is why boxers aren’t typically a great choice. They are baggy, often scratchy, and I can’t find any options with seamless waistbands. So best to not even try those for now.

Remember there are different cuts and styles that may better suit your autistic child too. Maybe your child can’t stand the feeling of the elastic of underwear right in that sensitive crack where the thigh and pelvis meet, so a boy short or boxer brief style might be a lot better for them.

Or perhaps the tight or loose feeling of the boyshort of boxer breif style on their thighs drives your sensitive child mad. In that case you’d want to try brief styles but taking note of the fabric, seam, and tag recommendations above.

Different Underwear Styles for Autistic Girls

When selecting underwear for autistic girls, parents should opt for full-coverage underwear that provides more comfort and coverage. Look for underwear with a wide waistband that sits comfortably on the waist.

Avoid frills, lace, or any other decorative elements as they may provide extra stimulation that could bother autistic girls.

Different Styles of Underwear for Autistic Boys

For boys, choosing the right underwear can become more challenging. Most models have all sorts of extra seams right on their sensitive parts. Some boys may prefer underwear with a tighter fit that provides added support. Others may like looser-fitting underwear that is more comfortable.

Briefs, boxer briefs, and compression shorts may all be good choices, but the ultimate decision should depend on your child’s preference.

If the fabric/seam on his thigh as well as the seams for the pocket across his member bother him, consider trying a non-girly seamless brief like the one I chose below. Remember comfort and keeping them on is what is important. Whether the underwear is labled for “boys” or “girls” doesn’t matter if they are comfortable and gender neutral looking.

Wrapping Up Underwear for Your Autistic Child – Tips, Tricks, and Options

Finding the perfect underwear for your autistic child can feel like an overwhelming challenge. However, with the right knowledge and patience, it is possible to find a comfortable and functional solution.

• Remember to try different materials than the traditional.
• Choose comfortable materials that are gentle on the skin.
• Ensure a proper fit and full coverage.
• Avoiding tight elastic bands and decorative elements that can cause extra stimulation.
• Try avoiding seams.
• Always avoid tags.
• Try different styles like briefs, boyshorts, and boxer briefs. (Typically boxers are too loose and the waistband is too thick to be comfortable for an autistic child.)
• Try less traditional options for boys without the”pee pee pocket” which adds a whole bunch of extra seams in sensitive places.

Don’t hesitate to consult with your child and be open to trying out different options until you find the perfect fit. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be one step closer to finding the perfect underwear for your autistic child.