Personal Care for Children with Autism
One of the issues facing the parents or caregivers of a child with autism is ensuring that the child is taking care of themselves. Thankfully, there are many things that a parent can do to help their child to master these basic care tasks! We have compiled a few of our favorite tips and tricks below.
Brushing Teeth (From “Helping Kids Take Better Care of Their Teeth”)
Brushing teeth can seem like a daunting task! Many of our little ones simply don’t like the feeling of brushing their teeth. While this skill can seem like one that can be placed on the backburner, good oral hygiene is necessary to maintain the condition for one’s overall health. Fortunately, there are several ways caregivers and loved ones can support our kiddos as they learn to take better care of their teeth.
Firstly, model the behavior! Show them examples, including how you brush your own teeth, and don’t be afraid to use fun videos, songs, and visual cues you find online. There are so many resources that are geared toward children which can be extremely helpful. As you progress through the steps, don’t forget to incorporate rewards!
Potty Training (From “Toilet Training Children with Autism”)
Toilet training can be a difficult process for any child and parent, let alone a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It’s best to start the toilet training process after your child is already aware that they are eliminating in their diaper or pull up and show interest in using the toilet. When the signs are there and you’re ready to start toilet training, follow the steps outlined in the article.
Some helpful tips: Pair the toilet training with an icon or having your child vocalize “potty” or “bathroom”. Ultimately, we want your child to learn that when they say these types of words they’ll get access to the potty, and will ultimately be reinforced in the end. BE CONSISTENT: this is the most important step! If you are not consistent, the child will never get into the routine of using the toilet. Make sure to stick to the schedule and keep the expectations consistent in order to best teach your child how to independently use the toilet.
Haircuts (From “Preparing Your Child with Autism for a Haircut”)
The most important thing is to make a plan for success. Planning and preparation can help to ease the stress on both you and your child, which in turn can make the whole process a lot easier.
To begin the process, you will want to explain to your child what to expect from the haircutting process. Depending on their age and ability level, this explanation can take a few different forms. For some children, reading books on getting a haircut can be helpful. For other children, acting out the process of getting a haircut with figurines or dolls can be a great step in reducing haircut anxiety. Act out the steps in the process of getting a haircut. You can begin by acting it out yourself, and then having the child imitate you, or you can roleplay the whole process.