[Student name] will wear a plain hoodie in the future rather than the school blazer. This is because the texture and fit of the blazer are uncomfortable and distract them from engaging comfortably in learning. Likewise, the hood enables them to screen out sensory clutter and facilitates concentration.
Uniform adjustments: hard collars, ties, leather school shoes, formal skirts and trousers, these can all be difficult to manage for many autistic people. The use of more comfortable fabrics can allow us to concentrate more fully on our tasks. Many schools now encourage children to attend school with trainers and a school hoodie for comfort and practicality.
Relaxing or scrapping school uniform policies supports pupils with sensory issues who cannot tolerate wearing the uniform.
Neurodiversity-affirmative education: why and how? | The British Psychological Society
“I have to check the texture of fabrics when I’m clothes shopping. Anything rough or crunchy I can’t wear. I also need soft and stretchy fabrics.”
PsyArXiv Preprints | In our own words: The complex sensory experiences of autistic adults
Promote sensory-friendly clothing choices.
May find aspects of school uniform (or other clothes) difficult or impossible – reasonable adjustment needed.
We can’t stim, are subject to rules around when we can go to the bathroom and forced into chafing uniforms that are, frankly, a sensory hell.
“No attendance score is worth your suffering” — Neurodiverse Connection
The picture shows a school classroom as I see it, as an autistic person. A kaleidoscope of shape and blinding lighting, with vague outlines which are probably other students. Deafening noise. The stench of different smells. The confusion of many voices, including some heard through walls from neighbouring halls and classes. School uniform that feels like barbed wire on my skin.
Signatories
The following individuals, organizations, and communities endorse this Why Sheet. Want to join them? Add your signature.
- Stimpunks Foundation
- Autistic Realms
- NT in a ND World
- Heidi Mavir
- Alice McSweeney
- Lisa Chapman
- Rochelle Roberts
- Maria Villa Vine
- Faye Mcclure
- Riina Vallin
- Nicholas Fahey
- Antonia
- Thriving Autistic CLG
- Sarah Golding
- Ruth Moss
- PIMP MY MIND
- Claire Duggan
- Elaine Macleod
- Thriving Autistic CLG
- Emma Welsby – Divergent Minds
- Autistic Collaboration Trust
- Jorn Bettin
- Alicja Nocon (Expand the Circle)
- David Gray-Hammond
- Autistically Scott
- Autistic Revolution
- Lisa
- Luis Robertson
- Neurodiverse Journeys
- Katy Elphinstone
- Jen Summers
- bee austin, BEE- Neurodivergent Buzz
- Dr Louise Lomas
- Laura Hellfeld
- Lisa Bowen
- Chris McNutt
- Human Restoration Project
- Nick Covington
- Julia Lee Barclay-Morton, PhD
- Geoffrey Hume-Cook
- Kara James
- Julie M. Austen, Licensed Psychologist, Austen Psychological Services
- Kirsty McKenzie
- bee austin
- Bex Milgate
- Emma Whittaker
- Aaron Roldan
- Trisha Thompson
- Angela Kingdon, The Autistic Culture Podcast
- Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators
- Emily Marcus
License
This why sheet is free to download, modify, and share.
Version: 1.1
License: Hoodie Why Sheet is marked with CC0 1.0
Repository: https://github.com/Stimpunks/Why-Sheets/blob/main/Hoodie.md
