Tips: Clothes Shopping For Special Needs Family Members
Shopping can be a great experience. There are a lot of people who love to shop! There are also a lot of people who don’t like to shop. It can be a difficult experience clothes shopping for Special Needs family members but it can be made a lot easier.
A lot of the people who don’t like to shop are the little people who come here—your kiddos or family members. And they really don’t like shopping because of the crowds and the stress.
So what would be the easiest way to do shopping with a sensory kid? Here are some things to think about:
1. The mall.
If you’re going to go to the mall, don’t go on a Saturday afternoon! It is really busy then! Maybe a better time would be after dinner on Monday night. It’s quieter then, less busy.
2. Shopping centers.
Sometimes you can avoid going to a mall altogether and instead go to a shopping center in your area that has a variety of stores. These small shopping centers are becoming more popular. It’s not a mall, but a group of freestanding stores, which is better for children with special needs because there aren’t as large of crowds like there are in a shopping mall. So that gives you a second option for shopping that is a little less hectic. Examples would be the Villages of Allen or LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch in Katy.
3. Shop online.
One of my favorite ways to shop is online! Amazon has pretty much everything, so you’re able to view the clothes and see what they look like. Many parents worry that their child might have changed sizes, and if they order online they might get the wrong size. We tell parents that they can go to the store by themselves, pick up some clothes to bring home, and have your child try them on. If they work, great! Keep them! If not, take them back! That way you can get a good idea of sizings and the things you and your child like. You can even get an idea of the manufacturers you like by checking the labels. Then you can order online with more confidence.
So this gives you some options for shopping, whether you choose to go to a mall, or a smaller shopping center, or stay home and shop from the comfort of your home. Good luck with your shopping, and we hope you’ll find some great sales! What are some sensory-friendly places that you like to visit for shopping?
