Hi, I'm Julia, founder of Sense-ational You! I design sensory clothing for autistic kids and adults. Our hoodies have built-in hoods that help block sound. Our tops have adjustable compression. Our fidget pieces keep busy hands regulated. And every piece is tag-free with flat seams for sensory comfort.
So how did it all start? It definitely wasn't the plan!
It started with a problem I'd never heard of
I was studying fashion design at Cornell University when I began volunteering at a local autism preschool thanks to philanthropy though my sorority. The teachers had a question for me: as a fashion design student, could I help create the things their students needed?
It was a problem I had never heard of before. Clothing that scratches, squeezes in the wrong places, or leaves a child with no escape from a loud room can make an ordinary school day overwhelming. So I turned it into an independent study, designing clothing for autistic and sensory-sensitive kids.
I was so lucky to be matched with incredible professionals and local families who shared their time and experience with me. Those early designs came straight from their feedback.
What the classroom taught me
I graduated in May 2020, right when the fashion industry (and most of the world) shut down. Instead of a design job, I found myself working as a special education paraprofessional in autism classrooms for three years.
That's where everything clicked. Every day, I watched sensory needs impact how my students learned. Too often, a child who was overwhelmed by noise or uncomfortable clothing got labeled as having "bad behavior." It wasn't behavior. It was an unmet sensory need.
I realized how many more students could benefit from those first designs from my independent study. So I started developing them into real clothing: a sensory break you can wear, anywhere.
Why sensory clothing matters
Anyone can enjoy a tagless shirt. But for autistic and sensory kids, sensory-friendly features aren't a nice extra. They're a tool for regulation, comfort, and independence.
Our mission is to increase the inclusion and academic success of autistic and sensory kids through clothing that supports self-regulation. When someone can pull up a sound reducing hood in a loud cafeteria, or feel the calming pressure of a compression shirt, they get a little more control over their environment. And because the support is built into everyday clothes, it doesn't single anyone out.
Why I added adult sizes
Here's something our community taught me: you don't grow out of sensory needs, or the need for supports.
The kids I designed for grow up. Their sensory needs don't disappear at 12, or 18, or 40. Many autistic adults, and adults with sensory processing differences, were telling us they wanted the same supports in their size. So we launched adult sensory clothing, including the Adult QuietSense™ Sound Reducing Sensory Hoodie.
Sensory support shouldn't have an age limit. Whether you're 5 or 55, you deserve clothing that works with your body, not against it.
What makes our clothing sensory-friendly
- QuietSense™ sound reducing hoods that help muffle overwhelming noise
- Built-in adjustable compression for calming deep pressure
- Fidget elements for discreet, on-the-go regulation
- Tag-free, flat-seam construction so nothing scratches or irritates
Our products are HSA/FSA eligible and have earned the GAMUT Seal of Approval™. Not sure where to start? Take our sensory clothing quiz or read The Complete Guide to Sensory Friendly Clothing.
From an independent study to your closet
I never imagined this would become a brand I'd start by myself, right out of college. It's incredible to look back at those first independent study sketches and see where they are now: on real kids and adults, in real classrooms, homes, and workplaces.
Thank you for being on this journey with me! Read more about our story, or shop kids and adult sensory clothing.
- Julia DeNey, Founder of Sense-ational You
FAQ
What is sensory clothing?
Sensory clothing is designed to reduce sensory discomfort and support regulation. Features can include tagless labels, flat seams, soft fabrics, compression, sound reducing hoods, and built-in fidgets.
Is sensory clothing only for autistic kids?
No. Sensory clothing can help anyone with sensory sensitivities, including autistic adults and people with ADHD or sensory processing disorder. That's why Sense-ational You offers kids and adult sizes.
Is Sense-ational You clothing HSA/FSA eligible?
Yes! Our products are HSA/FSA eligible.