How to Help Your Child Transition to Cold Weather Clothing

“Mom, I DON’T WANNA WEAR A JACKET!”

Is this something that sounds familiar to you? For some kids, transitioning into wearing cold weather clothing is difficult, and for some kids diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, it’s exceptionally difficult. From the change in schedule, to the change in length and textures of clothing...wearing jackets and pants after wearing nice loose t-shirts and shorts all summer can bring about some tantrums from your kiddo.

Thankfully, there are some things you can do to ease your child’s transition so they put that jacket on!

Put the summer clothes away. While “out of sight out of mind” doesn’t really apply here, for most kids having only pants in their drawer, doesn’t give them a whole lot of options. If they want to leave to do something fun (or leave their bedroom at all), having only the clothing you want them to wear will visually clarify the situation.

Identify a reward to motivate your child. Some kids will put their jacket on easy peasy, and some kids will need some extra motivation- and that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to use positive reinforcement when transitioning your child to cold weather clothing. Maybe that motivation looks like some time on their tablet, a favorite snack, or a special toy that comes out when they are wearing appropriate clothing. Ideally, the preferred item is delivered immediately after they put that dreaded jacket on, so the child knows “when I put my jacket on, I get my favorite youtube video”. Letting your child know prior is also ideal (“first put your jacket on, then you can watch Baby Shark”).

Find a coat that’s right for your child. Maybe those snow-proof, swishy-sounding, heavy winter jackets are too much for your kiddo. Would that jacket keep them warm and safe in a blizzard? Absolutely. But will a soft fleece jacket keep them warm while running errands or going to school? Yes. Think about the jacket from your child’s perspective. Is the wool jacket itchy? Does the jacket have a hood or an annoying collar? Find a jacket that makes mom happy (because they won’t get frostbite) and your kid happy (because it doesn’t make swishy sounds when they walk).

Model appropriate clothing choices. Modeling is huge; your child is always watching you. They’re watching and learning. Are you expecting your child to wear a hat, gloves and scarf? Then you better be wearing them too!

Make dressing fun! You can make a game out of putting on all those clothes needed to go outside. Maybe sing a silly song about it (there’s a song on youtube for everything) or see who can get all their clothes on first - and be ready with a special prize when your child wins!

Building up to it. If your child is incredibly resistant to putting on a jacket or other item of clothing, start by identifying what it going to motivate them. Once you have that item ready - have them put the jacket on for one second. Praise them and deliver that item. Putting the jacket on is a great start! The next time they’ll need to wear it for three seconds to get the preferred item, then five seconds, 15 seconds, etc., until they are wearing their jacket for an extended amount of time.

Using visuals. This may seem unnecessary if your child has already mastered getting dressed independently, but using a visual task analysis (a break down of each item they need to put on in order) can help your child with the transition into a new season with new articles of clothing.