By Charlotte Kerwin, M.S., BCBA, LABA
[This column was published in the
West Springfield Republican on December 11th, 2025.]
For many people, putting on a winter coat is a simple part of their morning routine. For autistic individuals or those with other developmental disabilities, however, wearing coats, mittens, scarves, and other winter attire can feel unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or even distressing.
Many autistic individuals may show strong preferences or rigidity around certain activities or routines. For example, some individuals may become distressed or engage in risky behaviors when asked to deviate from a preferred routine, including when wearing unfamiliar or undesired clothing. This can be especially challenging in winter, when refusing to wear weather-appropriate attire can increase the risk of health complications. It’s important to understand these potential barriers before expecting an autistic person to easily transition to cold-weather clothing.
Provide rationale: If your child or family member has the receptive ability to understand basic concepts related to weather and the need to dress appropriately, talk to them about it. When speaking to the individual, explain that wearing warmer clothes when it’s cold out keeps their body safe and healthy. Using concise, consistent language like “first coat, then go outside” can be sufficient. Assent and understanding can help cooperation.
Offer options: If possible, take your child or the individual in your care shopping and have them identify a coat or garment they may like. Identify clothing in their favorite colors and textures and show them options. Alternatives can also make a difference, like earmuffs instead of a wool hat, or thin, lightweight layers instead of a heavy winter coat. Having control over the types of clothing they wear may also increase the likelihood of them wearing it when necessary.
Pair reinforcement: Choices may not always be feasible, especially with higher-priced items like coats. In these cases, pair the clothing with something reinforcing. If your child loves the iPad, consider offering it to them for a few minutes in return for putting on their coat. Or, if they really love a certain snack, offer them a piece of it for getting their mittens on, and a piece for keeping the mittens on during the activity. Over time, this extra reinforcement can fade once the individual tolerates the item of clothing.
Prepare ahead of time: Introduce winter clothing early, ideally in the fall, so practice occurs in low-pressure situations. Have the individual try on items for short, manageable periods (5–10 minutes) and provide praise or reinforcement. Visual supports, such as seasonal calendars or online tools like News2You, can help teach which clothing is appropriate for different weather conditions.
It is important that caregivers and providers collaborate to identify strategies that prioritize comfort, success, and independence for every individual. Wearing winter-appropriate clothing is critical for health and safety, and with patience and planning, it can become more manageable.
Charlotte Kerwin, M.S., BCBA, LABA, is Clinical Director of the May School in Chicopee, Mass. She can be contacted at ckerwin@mayinstitute.org
May Institute is a national leader in applied behavior analysis and evidence-based interdisciplinary care for autistic individuals and those with developmental disabilities, brain injury, and neurobehavioral disorders. Founded over 70 years ago as a nonprofit organization, we provide exceptional educational, clinical, and habilitative services across the lifespan—unlocking potential and empowering individuals and families to thrive. As home to the National Autism Center, May advances the field through research that elevates practice globally. For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.
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