Life & Social Skills

Life & Social Skills

Ages: 7 - 13

Learning Independent Hygiene Habits: Challenges and Strategies

Learning Independent Hygiene Habits: Challenges and Strategies

If you do everything for your child it will be challenging for them to learn what they need to do to take care of themselves.

Encourage your child to learn basic hygiene as early as possible. Start with simpler tasks like soaping themselves in the bathtub, even if you have to go back and do it again. As they learn keep teaching new skills like how to wash their hair, so they gain independence.

You could use hygiene tasks as part of a weekly schedule, such as every day they shower and brush their teeth, certain days they shave, etc.

Tips to Help Your Child and Issues to Keep In Mind

Teach your child to put their dirty or smelly clothes into the laundry. You can include this step in their visual schedule.

It is common for school aged autistic children to still need toileting help including with staying dry overnight. In addition to the obvious needs, learning to wipe themselves and bathe independently will also reduce their risk of victimization later. Talk to your child’s pediatrician, therapist and/or contact the Milestones free autism Helpdesk for assistance. The Milestones Toilet Training Tool Kit gives you detailed guidance specific to a child with special needs.

Getting our children to brush their teeth poses a special sensory challenge including taste or smell of toothpaste (including unflavored), the design of the toothbrush (vibrating or not, color/shape). When faced with a child determined not to brush, it can be tempting to let it slide. But not brushing teeth well means frequent cavities. Because the adult teeth are below the baby teeth at birth, cavities must be filled, or they risk spreading to the permanent teeth.

Try a variety of toothbrushes, unflavored or different flavors of toothpaste and flossers to find what fits your child's needs and preferences. You may want to try a toothbrush designed for autistic people. Two examples are this and this.

Hygiene Issues in Puberty

Most tweens and teens will need to start using deodorant by middle school, or as early as fourth grade or onset of puberty depending on the child.

If your child resists using products like deodorant or shampoo, try different items and think about whether the challenge might be sensory issues. For example would a fragrance-free product or a specific type of fragrance be better.

It is common for tweens and teens to develop acne on their face or body (ie upper back) or dandruff in their hair. Middle schoolers benefit from learning to shampoo and rinse their hair properly to avoid getting the classic greasy hair look and to wash their face, ideally each morning and night. Building these habits early makes it easier before potential acne issues develop. Over the counter acne face wash and pads may be helpful. Consult your pediatrician or a dermatologist for skin issues.

If your child will be shaving, help them learn how, whether they use a regular or electric razor.

It is vital to talk with girls before menstruation starts so they know what to expect and how to use sanitary pads or tampons, including changing them regularly. Boys need to know that it is natural to have wet dreams and how their body will change.

Learning that masturbation is a natural part of sexuality and should be done in the right place (in private) is also important. This is a good time to talk about boundaries, appropriate touching, and other safety issues. This safety article in the Milestones Autism Planning (MAP) tool has useful information. Later this year we will also be adding articles on puberty, sexuality, dating and relationships.

If your daughter is struggling with hygiene for menstruation have a conversation with your primary care physician about options and whether to see a gynecologist.

Depending on level of functioning, all boys and girls as they enter adolescence need to understand basic sexuality, how pregnancy happens and birth control. Use accurate descriptions and names for body parts.

Additional Resources

Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism by Mary Wrobel

Hygiene and Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders by Kelly Mahler

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, American Girl

The Potty Journey: Guide to Toilet Training Children with Special Needs, including Autism and Related Disorders by Judith A. Coucouvanis

Adventures with Big E: Help with Hygiene by Jacqueline Folks

American Dental Association MouthHealthy™

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

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