A bath is usually a relaxing experience. After a hard day, all you want to do is soak yourself in a hot tub and feel your worries melt away between the bubbles. However, it can be a bad experience for someone sensitive to stimuli.
Children with autism spectrum disorder face various challenges, and bathing is one of them. Autism is a developmental disability. Referred to as a “spectrum” disorder, autism has a wide variety of conditions—some are more severe than others.
Generally, autism spectrum disorder is characterized by delays in social development, repetitive behaviors, communication issues, and difficulties interacting with the outside world.
Bathing time can be emotionally and physically taxing for both parents and children. Bath time can be stressful, upsetting, and confusing, making parents feel helpless: everyone hates seeing their child sad and in distress.
What is the cause of all this? Does your child hate bath time? Will it be a never-ending battle to get them clean? Is your child overwhelmed by sensations? You might know if your child’s bath or shower routine looks like this:
- Constant fighting and meltdowns
- Floor—and you—end up soaked
- You are unable to get your child to sit or stand in the tub
- Washing up as quickly as possible, just to get it over with
The bathing experience doesn’t need to look like this. Bath time can be an excellent opportunity to connect with your kid, teach them essential coping skills, and help instill healthy habits as they grow older.
This article discusses the link between autism and bath time—and shares tips for making it easier to handle.
Why Do Autistic Children Struggle with Bath Time?
Bathing time is a common issue in children with ASD. They often react negatively to activities related to personal hygiene and cleaning. Some children with autism might not understand why washing is necessary—while others struggle with sensory processing disorders.
When a child is diagnosed with autism, there are characteristics of autism that can lead to challenges while bathing, including:
- The desire to follow specific routines
- The likeliness to get upset by minor changes
- Hyperactive and impulsive behavior
- Physical reactions such as body rocking or flapping
- An unpleasant response to smells, sounds, tastes, or feels
Sensory Issues
The main challenge for children on the spectrum is their reaction to physical stimuli. An autistic child might find bath time to be traumatic due to overstimulation. This happens because they do not enjoy the sounds or feelings associated with being in the bath—that’s why they don’t sit still during their discomfort.
Here are some sensory issues that might affect them negatively:
- Water temperature
- Bright lights
- Splashing or running water
- The smells of soaps or shampoos
- The sound of water draining
- The feelings of soap on the skin
- The feeling of being wrapped in the towel
- The fear of getting soap in the eyes
- Balance issues from stepping in and out of the tub
- Mirrors reflecting illumination
The result of these negative feelings can give children a fear of water. The confined space can also lead to claustrophobia. During bath time, there is a lot for a child’s brain to process—their brains aren’t wired to process all that information quickly enough. The “flight or fight” response might come from a need to protect themselves from unpleasant sensory sensitivities.
Read: Tips for Helping Children with Autism Brush Their Teeth.
What to Do If Your Autistic Child Is Afraid of the Bath?
Every child has unique needs—a parent knows their child best, so address bath time with your child’s abilities, fears, and concerns in mind. It’s natural for a child to fear the bath, but parents must do everything possible to alleviate those fears.
There are several ways to help your child with autism navigate through bath time without it being an upsetting experience. We’ll get into details further in the article.
The first solution you can try is to bathe or shower with your child. Being with them in the tub can be a huge relief. Begin by sitting in the bath with your child, then slowly retreat. Sit on the edge of the tub with your feet in the water and move out entirely later.
Identify the Stressors
Knowing what upset your child about bath time is definitely half the battle. However, if you’re not sure what causes sensory overload, trial and error might be the best approach. Here are some common questions to see what upsets your child:
- Does the bathing process take too long? Keep track of how long a bathing session takes. After you find the sweet spot, set a countdown timer, so the child knows the end of bath time.
- What is the ideal water temperature? One study found that hot bath water makes autistic children more sociable and reduces repetitive behavior when lasting 30 minutes at 102 F. Keep a thermometer nearby to test water temperature at every step of the bathing process.
- Is it too cold out of the tub? Make sure warm towels are ready for wrapping up at the end. If your child hates being wet, make sure you have a change of clothes ready. In addition, pay attention to the towel’s texture as children prefer some textures over others.
- Do they respond differently to a bath versus a shower? Sometimes, a shower works better for your little one than a bath. Don’t be afraid to try new things and find the best combination for your family.
Once you know the stressors, then you can start eliminating them. It’s important to take one step at a time—this will manage your kid’s expectations and your response more quickly.
Pick the Right Time
Children on the spectrum like routine. So, if bath time happens at the same time, in the same way, each day, they will stop feeling anxious when something unexpected happens. You can also schedule bath time a few hours before or after stimulating activities. This way, the child is calm and not overstimulated.
Prepare the Bath in Advance
If your child is sensitive to sounds, then you can start filling the bathtub without them in the room. Another thing to consider is the water level; some children like to be submerged while others want to sit comfortably.
Preparing the bath in advance means that you can remove any items that might cause them anxiety. Also, please ensure the water temperature is appropriate, so it doesn’t cause discomfort.
Use Toys
Bath time should be all about the autistic child—and fun! Toys keep children distracted and make it easier to bathe them. You can find many waterproof dolls, wind-up toys that move through the water, or bathtime crayons. You can even use different-sized plastic cups or containers.
You can try these items:
Try to provide your child with toys of different textures to encourage children to explore and appreciate a variety of sensations.
Eliminate Fragrances
There are many artificial fragrances, so it’s best to make the bathroom fragrance-free. Children with autism react poorly to strong or new smells, so you can minimize scents by doing:
- Invest in soaps and shampoo that are fragrance-free
- Eliminate air fresheners
Explain the Importance of Hygiene
Children on the spectrum have difficulty understanding the feelings and thoughts of others. As a result, you might want to explain the importance of hygiene to your little one by using a social story. Describe what others feel or think when someone doesn’t bathe. Be clear and use simple language when explaining that kids might not want to hang out with them if they smell bad.
Make a To-Do List
It might be helpful to make a list of everything you need to do to prepare for bath time. This list can also help another guardian when bathing your autistic child. Discuss the list with your child, so they are fully prepared beforehand. Doing this will prepare your child for what comes next.
You can also place a picture of a reward after the bath in the child’s daily schedule. Reward appropriate behavior with a desired item or activity. Furthermore, you can use a chart with stars or stickers—and clearly define the requirements for receiving that reward. Use exciting rewards as a motivator.
Hygiene issues can get worse as your child grows. The behavior can worsen if your little one doesn’t have a strict routine. With some organization, planning, and creative ideas, you can motivate your autistic child to do the desired task.
And remember: keep trying! It can only get easier.