Ways to save on back to school shopping for children with sensory disorders

July 27, 3:27 PMPittsburgh Special Needs Kids ExaminerHeather Shockney

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Created by Heather Shockney

It's almost time for the school bells to begin ringing again. That means back to school shopping in many households. If you are the parent to a special needs child with a sensory disorder, back to school shopping can be an expensive headache.

How many times have you finished your back to school shopping, and then when it came time for your child with sensory issues to wear the clothes, they won't go near them.

This can happen even if your child tried the clothes on before you purchased them. Your child with sensory disorders could be having a bad day and just not like the way the clothes fit. This can mean repeated visits to the store.

The cost of these repeated visits can add up quickly. Children with sensory disorders often like only a certain type of material or a clothing that fits a certain way. Many prefer soft materials like fleece or cotton. They may want to wear jogging pants everyday of the school year.

Here are a few options to save on your back to school shopping for your child with sensory disorders.

1. Thrift stores- These are a great way of saving money on back to school shopping. They have lots of gently used clothing at lower prices than department stores. The downside is some of these stores have a no return policy. If something should happen and your child will not wear the clothes you could donate them, or give them to someone else you know in that size.
2. Yard sales-  This is a great way to find back to school clothes for your child with sensory issues. Kids outgrow clothes quick. Lots of time there is still  a lot of life left in them. You can find many great deals on school clothes at yard sales for some spare change. You may even find clothing with the tags still on it.
3. Gabriel Brothers (Gabes)- If you have a Gabes in your area this is a must stop for back to school shopping. If your child likes the name brands you find in expensive department stores than this is the place for you. Gabes carries several name brands like Baby Phat, Sketchers, Nike, Yum, Apple Bottom, and so much more. Gabes has plenty of choices for your child with sensory issues. You can find shirts for a dollar or two. Their clothing is usually a buy out of a larger department store.
4. Free-cycle-  Free-cycle offers you an email based group that you can ask for items you are looking for. People post items they have and no longer need. many times there is clothing. If your child with a sensory disorder only wears certain types of clothing like fleece pants, you can post a wanted ad. This is a great, free way to find back to school clothing.

Finding ways to cut the cost of your back to school shopping is not hard. You just have to be willing to do a little extra looking. Then if you find your child will not wear an item after getting it home, you are not out that much money, and therefore won't feel as bad.