Let’s go on a journey of Exteroception and Autism. How often have you argued with your Autistic child about wearing a coat when it is cold? Even when they insist, they are not cold. Or a time when you could not understand why your partner insisted on wearing shorts and a tee shirt in the middle of winter. You are not alone. Thousands of individuals cannot regulate or even perceive if their body is hot or cold. While this can be a problematic issue in extreme weather conditions, there are ways we can ensure we stay safe if we have a problem with Exteroception.
What is Exteroception and its relation to Autism?
Exteroception refers to the perception of stimuli from the external environment. It does this via the sensory receptors located on the body’s surface. Such as the skin, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It allows individuals to gather information about their surroundings, including temperature, pressure, sound, light, and smell.
Exteroception is essential for many daily activities, like navigating through a crowded street, communicating with others, and enjoying the taste and smell of food. It also plays a critical role in maintaining balance and posture, regulating body temperature, and responding to pain.
Exteroception is a fundamental aspect of sensory processing that allows individuals to interact with their environment and respond appropriately to changes and challenges.
The consequences of dressing appropriately.
Exteroception along with Autism can factor into the difficulties that some autistic individuals may experience when transitioning between seasons. In other words, it directly impacts us when trying to choose appropriate clothing to wear.
For example, autistic individuals with hypersensitivity to certain fabrics, textures, or temperatures may find it challenging to adjust to clothing appropriate for different seasons. They may have difficulty with the sensation of wearing clothing that is too tight or too loose, too heavy, or too light, or that rubs against the skin in uncomfortable ways. They may also have difficulty identifying the sensation of temperature changes or humidity during seasonal transitions.
To help Autistic individuals with these challenges, it can be helpful to provide guidance and support in selecting appropriate clothing for different seasons. Such as providing clothes made from comfortable and breathable fabrics that can assist in regulating body temperature. And providing a base range that can be mixed in matched to suit any season.
Choosing appropriate clothing is a vital safety issue. Inappropriately dressing for the weather can lead to dehydration, overheating, hyperthermia and, in extreme cases, frostbite. This is why we should take the relationshp between Exteroception and Autism seriously.
JAM the Label
Building a base or capsule wardrobe is one way to assist with dressing for appropriate weather for those who have issues with Exteroception and are on the Autism Spectrum. Having staple pieces in your wardrobe that you can mix and match. Pieces that are made of natural breathable fibres that can be worn in any season.
For example, Jam the label have a long sleeve linen shirt. It can be worn in Summer and Winter. Linen comes from flax, and flax has insulating properties. This means it can lock in your body heat to keep you warmer in the cooler months while releasing the excess when it’s warm out to keep you cool. While Bamboo, another staple in the Jam the label range also has lots of amazing qualities. One being that it’s thermoregulating – so keeps you warmer in winter and cooler in summer! Having a staple wardrobe with these types of fabrics can be a game changer for Autistic individuals who struggle with Exteroception issues. It is also makes it ideal for transitional clothing.
We should also note that All Jam the Label clothing is tag-free and is designed for accessibility. You can purchase your JAM the label pieces through your NDIS funding.
The Range
Jam the Label has options for both Femme (Feminine) and Masc (masculine). You could choose to have the linen shirt or Bamboo tops in several colours and then mix and match them with the Jam the Label accessible Chino pants or high-waisted pant option. Both the Chino and high-waisted pants are elastic-waisted with belt loops to assist in pulling up. They can be pulled on just like tracksuit pants. These pants are 97% Cotton and 3% spandex. The perfect mix of natural fibre with just enough give to make them super comfy. Perfect for all seasons.
Did I mention NDIS? Check out our outfit suggestions below that are suitable for all-season dressing.
Check out our base wardrobe guide for Autistic dressing.
Up to 12 outfits for all seasons from 6 pieces of clothing. Check out some of our favourite outfit combos.
For the Femme options, we chose.
- The White Linen shirt is available in Femme for $99.00
- The Original long sleeve tee in White is available in Femme for $50.00
- The High wasted pants in Black for Femme $95.00
- The Original tee in White is $45.00
- The Original Tee in Charcoal $45.00
- The Digby Jacket is $159.00
For the Masc options, we chose.
- The White Linen Shirt is available in Masc for $99.00
- The Crew neck Tee in White is $55.00
- The Crew neck Tee in Olive is $55.00
- The Olive Linen Shirt is available in Masc for $99.00
- The Chino pant in Black available in Masc $89.00
- The Block Jacket in Black is $139.00
