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As we know, some behaviours are an attempt to communicate a need: a need to avoid or obtain something; a need for connection; a need to express an emotion; or a need to gain sensory feedback, for example.
Sometimes, to communicate their needs, individuals may reach for, stroke, tug, pull, or grab our clothing and other items, such as watches, glasses, scarves, or jewellery. This type of behaviour can, inadvertently, impact our personal safety and, sometimes, the safety of those we support.
So, what types of risk can clothing present, and how can we increase personal safety when supporting the individuals in our care?
When trying to ascertain the level of risk, it can be helpful to connect the function of the behaviour we see to the potential hazards presented by different types of clothing:
When a person feels dysregulated and is engaging in behaviour that needs support, they may pull at or grab our clothes through frustration and to express their distress. While they may not mean to hurt us, sometimes the force used can cause injury or harm. For example, if someone pulls forcibly at a scarf around our neck, it can quickly become tight, constricting our airway and making it hard for us to breathe.
Sometimes, individuals will use our clothing to gain our attention, or to obtain something they want: they may hold onto our jumper, shirt, trousers or skirt; they might pull a lanyard, a headscarf, or our hair. This then causes us to direct our focus onto them and what they are trying to tell us.
The level of risk involved can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, such as the degree of force used, the strength and physique of the individual, and the type of clothes we are wearing.
An individual who is looking for sensory feedback through touch, for example, may take hold of our clothes to feel the material between their fingers. They may be drawn to soft, flowing fabrics or shiny, metallic objects like jewellery. The risk of harm in these situations is usually comparatively low as individuals are simply seeking sensory input. However, it may be problematic for staff who are wearing symbolic clothing of religious or cultural significance, or for someone who may not want their clothes to be touched by the individual they are supporting.
If an individual feels uncomfortable in a certain situation or environment, or with a particular person, they may use their own clothing to signal distress. For example, if they are wearing a hoodie, they might pull the drawstrings tightly together to conceal their face; or they may try to hide between long, loose items so that they cannot be seen.
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