4 year old won't wear clothes

[racnic]

I'm writing this for my sister because she does not have access to the internet.  She is a mother of three children--twin 4-year-old girls and a baby boy.  Lately one of the twins decided she wasn't going to wear any clothes.  She walks around without clothes on all day, although occasionally she'll wear a nightgown during the day.  We have tried to "bribe" her by telling her she can go to the mall, beach, etc. if she puts on some clothes but she refuses.  I can tell she really wants to go to these places but she's so stubborn that she'll miss out because she refuses to wear any clothes--she says they "don't feel right".  She screams and cries when we get ready to leave without her.  The other day my sister took the other twin out w/out her sister.  The "nude" twin called her mother while she was out to say that she had her bathing suit on and was going through the sprinkler.  The next day she refused to put on her bathing suit because again "it doesn't feel right". It breaks our hearts to know that she's missing out on a fun time because of her stubborness.  Is this just a stage?  P.S.--she went through a similar thing last winter before the baby was born--she refused to wear socks.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It's impossible to predict what the outcome will be. For now, though, I wouldn't assume this represents a passing phase. Instead, I'd err in the direction of investigating the behavior a bit. My guess is that it may well indicate some sensory integration problem such as tactile defensiveness. It might be worthwhile to schedule an evaluation with an occupational therapist (the discipline qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of sensory integration disorders).

[To the Point Pat]

Try turning the air conditioner down as cold as it will go.  Then if that doesn't work, seek professional help.