Tolerance to Showering

Showering for kids diagnosed with autism can be challenging for both child and parent. Children with autism may experience meltdowns in understanding the importance of hygiene. But again, it is imperative to teach them the importance of having a shower. Here are some tips that you could try out with your child:

 

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1. Prepare a social story on the importance of hygiene. The story could include that if they shower, they will be germ free and will smell better and that it is difficult to make friends if they smell bad.

2. Develop routines to help our kids. It is important to put up a shower visual on your kid’s daily routine schedule. It will give them some prediction as to when their shower time will be. Remember to do this daily with our child as bathing is a must just like going to bed and eating.

3. Routine in the shower. I have done this programme with a child before and it was very successful because the child knew what he was supposed to do in the shower. He had a schedule for a shower routine. Giving him/her a token for every step done can increase motivation. Below is an example of a shower routine:

4. Video Modelling. A video model allows our child to see what showering is like and how fun it can be. It will also help them to reduce any fear they have of showering.

5. Reinforcement. Reward them once they have completed the shower routine! We want showering to be a positive association for our child and the use of reward will help to promote that.

6. Using a timer. You could let your kids know how long they will be in the shower. This will help by giving them predictability. To make it more fun, you could play a song and let them know that once the song is all done, shower time is done too!!

7. Child’s sensory needs. There could be overwhelming stimulators when our kids are taking a bath. For example, the sound of the running water, the smell of the soap or shampoo. Do try out what works for the child initially. Always remember how we can make it fun and successful for the child.

8. Desensitizing child to bathing time. Parents could do some play time in the bathroom and make it a fun for the child and then slowly integrate them into the bath tub / shower area.

9. Lastly, have lots of FUN!!

 Hygiene is important for our kids and it’s also important to fix a routine for them. Repetition does play an important role, therefore following the daily schedule everyday will help increase predictability for the child and makes shower time more successful.

 

Written by:

Nisha Naomi

Intern Supervisor, EAP Malaysia