Sensory Problem with All Clothing/Shoes & Shaken Baby Syndrome or head trauma

by Ginger
(Loganville, GA)

My adoptive 6 year daughter Kyleigh, who is shaken baby syndrome survivor (age 4 mos.), developed issues starting with underwear at age 3. Then not long after that she started complaining about socks, then undershirts. By the time she turned 5, I was limited on what she would wear. She hates jeans, athletic shoes, wintercoats, etc.

I was able until 6 months ago to get her to wear dresses to church with dress shoes, but now all she wants to wear is her flip flops. She will wear some dresses, as long as they are not thin straps. Her preference is short sleeve or longer. It drives me crazy getting her ready for school. When I brought up to pediatrician, she told me that she was still learning to adjust to how clothes feel, but I am starting to feel it is a bigger issue. Reading some of stories on here, I truly believe my daughter has a sensory problem. Last winter, she complained so much about her winter coat that I found myself trying to explain to the front office at the school. One of teachers mentioned she may have a sensory problem. I asked pediatrician at that time.

Now that I come across on Facebook, it is making me question again. My question, can it be tied to her head trauma? She was not expected to live, however I believe that the neurosurgeon saved her life. She was airflighted to Atlanta where Dr. Boydston removed a section of her skull and placed below her rib cage to relieve the pressure on her brain. She was kept in a self-induced coma for a week. We got her when she was 19 months as our local DFCS was seeking a family to adopt her and her older sibling. We were the selected family and we fell in love with the girls immediately! She has a weakness down her left leg which causes her pain periodically during the day. She hates running during gym as it causes her discomfort. Aside from that, no noted conditions from her initial injury unless the sensory problem is from the head trauma.

Reading through posts, I am going to try softer clothing. I had to talk her into the princess birthday party/photo shoot in August. She loves swimming, but is extremely picky about swim suits. Cheerleading, I had to talk her into. She though begs to wear worn in pink running shoes over the white athletic shoes. I feel like I have to bargain with her all the time. Would love suggestions.