Exploring the influence of hyper-reactive responses to clothing on families of children with tactile hyper-reactivity

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Introduction: Children with tactile hyper-reactivity may respond with aversive responses to certain clothing items, such as school uniforms. Given that families operate as interconnected systems, a child's hyper-reactive responses to clothing can impact the entire family. This study aimed to explore the influence of children’s hyper-reactive responses to clothing on their families and determine the strategies families use to cope with resulting challenges. Method: This exploratory qualitative study focused on the views of parents with children (aged 5-19 years old) with tactile hyper-reactivity. Four online focus group discussions were held with a cumulative total of 14 parents. Data analysis involved thematic analysis using Atlas.ti. Two themes with subthemes emerged. Results: Theme 1 (family influence) includes the influence on the parents' emotions, the siblings, and family resources. Theme 2 (family strategies) includes the coping and adaptation strategies that families employ to prevent hyper-reactive responses and to promote their family wellness to deal with the challenges they experience. Conclusion: This study emphasises how children's hyper-reactive responses to clothing can influence families. Families should be guided to implement strategies that contribute to preventing hyper-reactive responses to clothing that may promote overall family wellness. Implications for practice: The sensory hyper-reactive responses elicited by clothing influenced the families of children with tactile hyper-reactivity in multiple ways. Occupational therapists who assist children and families of children who experience sensory hyper-reactive responses to clothing should keep the broader perspective of the child and family in mind when designing interventions. Occupational therapists should guide families to make the adaptations required to prevent hyper-reactive responses as far as possible. Strategies aimed at promoting family participation in wellness activities, as well as the adaptation of family routines, should be facilitated. Purposefully adapting clothing that elicits sensory hyper-reactive responses is a valuable strategy.

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