getting dressed tantrums.

Hello,

I have a four year old daughter who has terrible "getting dressed" tantrums.  I realize that many toddlers have these issues, but to me, it seems that this is beyond the norm.  She says that the clothing "hurts her"or "is too tight" .  She refuses to wear long sleeve tops (too tight) or to button her pants (again, too tight)  I have tried all the recommended ways of dealing with getting dressed tantrums.  I've let her choose her own clothes, I've bought (lots of) new soft clothes, given her stars, put her on the naughty step etc.  Nothing works. This has been going on for years now, and now that she is in pre-school we are finding it difficult to get out of the door on time. The tantrums are very significant.  She screams, throws herself on the ground, rips at the clothing and at her own hair.  It's just so upsetting.  She has many allergies, and in general is sensitive to many enviornmental things.  She is also asthmatic.  Is it possible that she has some sort of sensitivy that I'm not recognizing?  I find it hard to believe that it's a racket.  She behaves like this will all people who attempt to dress her, not just me and my husband.  Tantrums around other issues are few and far between.  Has anyone else experienced this/ Help!

[jdtm]

This is called "sensory integration disorder" and is not uncommon.  You might like to google the phrase "sensory issues" or "sensory disorder" or "sensory integration disorder" to read more about this issue.  You're right - it is upsetting but there are ways to treat this disorder and the reading from the internet should help.