Personal hygiene is a crucial part of daily life, yet for many autistic individuals, it can be a significant challenge. The processes of bathing, brushing teeth, and grooming often involve a variety of sensory experiences, changes in routine, and fine motor skills that can be overwhelming.

Understanding the Challenges
Often rooted in a combination of factors, the difficulties autistic individuals face with personal hygiene typically:

• Sensory Sensitivities: Many autistic individuals have heightened sensory sensitivities. The feel of water on the skin, the smell of scented soap or shampoo, the sound of a hairdryer, or the taste of toothpaste can be unpleasant or even painful. These aversions can make activities like showering or brushing teeth feel overwhelming, but for other individuals, showering or bathing may be enjoyable, as water tends to calm them down.
• Difficulty with Routine and Transitions: Autistic individuals often thrive on routine. A change in the daily schedule, even for a simple task like bathing, can cause anxiety. The transition from a preferred activity to a hygiene task can be a source of stress and resistance.
• Executive Functioning Challenges: Executive functions are the brain’s “managerial skills” that help with planning, organizing, and completing tasks. For some autistic individuals, breaking down a task like “take a shower” into smaller steps (e.g., turning on the water, getting undressed, washing hair, washing the body, rinsing, getting out) can be difficult.
• Fine Motor Skills: Tasks such as brushing hair, flossing, or buttoning clothing require precise fine motor skills. Challenges in this area can make these activities frustrating and difficult to perform independently.

Strategies for a Successful Hygiene Routine

• Creating a positive and consistent hygiene routine requires patience, flexibility, and a tailored approach. Here are some strategies that can help:
• Create a Predictable Schedule: Establish a consistent schedule for hygiene tasks and stick to it. Visual schedules featuring pictures or icons can be highly effective in illustrating the sequence of events and facilitating smooth transitions.
• Texture: Experiment with different types of soaps, shampoos, and towels. Find a brand with a consistency or scent that is more tolerable. Try using a soft washcloth or sponge instead of just your hands.
• Temperature: Ensure the water temperature is comfortable and consistent. Let the individual test the water before getting in.
• Sound: Use a quieter hairdryer or try to air-dry. Play calming music to mask disruptive sounds or use sensory toys.
• Break Down Tasks into Small Steps: Use a step-by-step approach. Create a visual checklist or a social story that breaks down a task like “brushing teeth” into simple, manageable steps: “1. Get your toothbrush. 2. Put toothpaste on it. 3. Brush your top teeth. 4. Brush your bottom teeth. 5. Rinse.”

Make it Fun and Positive:

Children Dental Health Month. Teeth care icon. Oral dental hygiene

• Motivation: Use positive reinforcement, like a reward chart or a favorite activity, after a hygiene task is complete.
• Play: Incorporate play into the routine. For younger children, “washing” a favorite toy in the bath can make the experience more enjoyable.
• Control: Give the individual some control over the process, such as choosing their own soap, towel, or toothpaste flavor.
• Use Social Stories and Visual Aids: Social stories are short narratives that describe a situation and the expected behaviors in a way that is easy to understand. Visual aids can illustrate each step of a hygiene routine, making the process less intimidating and more predictable.

Personal hygiene is a journey, not a destination. By understanding the unique challenges that autistic individuals face and implementing tailored, supportive strategies, caregivers can help foster independence and confidence for individuals with autism. Patience, consistency, and a focus on positive experiences are the key ingredients to making hygiene a successful and manageable part of daily life.

For autism resources, visit www.hopeforthree.org/resources