Today on the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’m joined by Julia DeNey, founder of Sensational You—a brand dedicated to creating adaptive clothing for children with sensory differences. Julia’s journey is such an inspiring one. She started in the world of fashion, but it was her time working in special education that opened her eyes to just how much sensory needs can impact a child’s ability to learn and thrive.

Sensory friendly clothes can make everyday life easier for autistic kids. In this episode, learn how adaptive clothing supports comfort, confidence, and learning. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!

Takeaways

• Julia's background in fashion led her to create Sensational You.

• Sensory needs can significantly impact children's learning.

• Adaptive clothing can help minimize sensory irritations.

• Real-life feedback from families is crucial for product development.

• The importance of understanding dysregulation in children.

• Innovative designs include built-in sensory tools.

• Community support has been vital for Sensational You's growth.

• The future vision includes a wider range of sensory-friendly products.

• Adaptive fashion should be accessible in mainstream stores.

• Sensory-friendly solutions are becoming more recognized in society.

Bio & Links

Julia DeNey studied Fashion Design at Cornell University and later worked as a special-education paraprofessional with autistic students. Combining her design expertise with her classroom experience, she founded Sense-ational You, an adaptive clothing brand that supports individuals with autism, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities.

https://shopsenseationalyou.com/

https://shopsenseationalyou.com/pages/back-to-school-sensory-checklist

https://www.instagram.com/senseational_you/

https://www.tiktok.com/@senseational_you

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sensational You

02:52 The Journey from Fashion to Sensory Solutions

05:49 Understanding Sensory Needs in Education

08:40 Innovative Adaptive Clothing Designs

11:31 Real-Life Impact of Sensory Clothing

14:15 Feedback and Community Support

17:19 Future Vision for Sensational You

20:15 Conclusion and Resources

You may also be interested in these supports:

• Visual Support Starter Set: www.autismlittlelearners.com/visuals

• Visual Supports Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3922278281209994/

• Autism Little Learners on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/autismlittlelearners

• Autism Little Learners on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autismlittlelearners/

If you’re enjoying the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review—it helps more educators and parents find these conversations and join our community.