Childhood disability and clothing: (Un)dressing debates

This chapter considers the relationship between childhood disability and clothing. It reviews literature to discuss the social and symbolic status of clothing – both mainstream clothing and adaptive clothing – for disabled children. The chapter argues that rehabilitation professionals need to take clothing-related issues faced by disabled children seriously, so that opportunities for social participation can be maximised. It explains the stance of the social model of disability. The chapter discusses the social and symbolic status of clothing – both mainstream clothing and adaptive clothing – for disabled children and young people. It presents an overview of literature on children and clothing. The chapter deals with a call for rehabilitation professionals to take clothing-related issues faced by disabled children seriously – as opposed to considering them purely aesthetic – so that opportunities for social participation can be maximised. It considers the extent to which disabled children are othered by dress or, alternatively, use dress to feel less othered.© 2019 selection and editorial matter, Nadia von Benzon and Catherine Wilkinson; individual chapters, the contributors