Snipped by me for focus
My high-functioning autistic son will literally only wear one pair of shoes. He has others, but he's never worn them. He has 3 pairs total because of this. He has 2 pairs of DC shoes that he has never put on and then 1 pair of sad, worn Pumas that he adores. We just keep buying a new pair when they get too beat up or his foot grows. Praying he finds another he likes by the time we outgrow this color!
Anyhow, it might be embarrassing to explain to someone who does not know how this can work for a child on the spectrum/one with sensory needs. Saying your kid has one pair of shoes might seem like you've somehow not taken care of them/cared enough to give them more than one pair when in reality, they will only wear that one pair. That's why I've never found it odd that they knew he left without his shoes. I would definitely know if my son did
Also, my son literally sleeps in the same kind of sweatpants with the stripes down the sides and a long-sleeved shirt with one of his special interests/hyperfixations on the front - even in the hottest parts of summer. That's why I don't find it odd that she knew what he was wearing, either. My son even struggles so much to get ready in the mornings between ADHD and autism (he's 10) that he will oftentimes put on clothes for school the night before. He only wears sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt with one of his special interests on it until I have to force him to wear shorts or short sleeves so he doesn't overheat at school
He does NOT sleep in the sad, worn Pumas
He has to sleep in only one sock for some reason. He will only wear one whenever he doesn't have shoes on. It doesn't even phase me at this point. I know my special little guy has his special little quirks. As long as he's comfortable, safe, happy, and we have our essential habits locked down by routine - I let him be who he naturally is.