Shoes and socks, which is the lesser of two evils?

by amy k
(virginia)


I have a four year old daughter starting school next week. Her biggest obstacle is tactile issues. Inside and out. Texture of food, fit of clothes, messy play...etc. We have been seeing an OT for 12 weeks. Next week he has asked us to bring in shoes and socks to try to help her pick out a pair she can tolerate. That alone breaks my heart. I want her to have a pair that is comfortable not just tolerable.




Her issues are with both shoes and socks. However because the anxiety level skyrockets just with socks, the shoes never get a fighting chance, hence the meltdown begins. I have ordered 10 different kinds of seamless socks to take to the OT. My question is shoes. I would like to know what kind of shoes anyone has had any luck with. The OT says Converse High tops. I got those, but when she saw them she would not even touch them. I tried to to bribe her with being able to decorate them and put Hannah Montana iron on patches on them but she says no way.{they are still going to the OT}

I have also thought about mocassins, and then a variety of tennis shoes. My other thought was using a vibrating massager on her feet before we try them on to see if that might make it easier, but I don't want to make her anxious. I am going to try foot massage by hand with lotion as well. I also thought about a pedicure spa with all the bubbling action. Just not sure how to approach any of these or which would have good or bad reactions. Desperate for suggestions....8 days till school starts.



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May 13, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		I hate shoes, as an adult with SPD
by: Anonymous

Hi

I am adult with sensory processing disorder, with major sensitivity to tactile. Shoes are a big deal for me, finding ones that are tolerable. I recently got a doctor's note allowing me to wear open toed shoes to work. I have no idea what works for other people, but I find the less shoes, the better. I wear flip flops most of the time. I prefer them. I also wear open toed sandals, but they have to be a certain type, mainly the way they interact with my feet (not all flip flops work either). Mostly open toe and open heal together works for me, and start by trying those shoes on, and see what works among those. If I can find a type of open toed sandals that work I get them, because I can wear them with socks (it looks pretty funny though). Socks are another issue all together, I have no advice there other than I avoid them unless my feet are just really cold. Also what seems good on my feet for 5 minuets at a store, might turn into hell when I wear them on the street for an hour or so. So be patient, try a few things, and be ready to lose a lot of money on unacceptable shoes. As for shoes that are comfortable, I don't if such a thing exists for me. By the way I also hate wearing underware... My heart goes out to you and your daughter, good luck...
Sep 17, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Free the toes
by: Anonymous

I have and 8 year old who has worn socks about 10 days out of the past 6 years. We have snow in the winter and we have not lost any toes. After the first year of battling every day, sometimes several times a day, I (me, not her) let it go. We are creative with our shoe wear and don't care what other people think. She has several pairs of boots with soft fur-like lining we rotate through in the winter (to let them air out) She wore a pair of slippers with a rubber sole every day for about 6 months to preschool. She now is very involved in shoe shopping, which still is not very much fun and yes her feet smell worse than my teenage son's feet after a football game, but she's washable and thank goodness for febreeze. P.S. she doesn't wear underwear either. If she wears a dress, she will wear a bathing suit underneath. Bottom line, she's happy and comfortable.

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