Showers would be a total disaster, I don't even go there. As far as rinsing, I have the same problem. I use tickles and stay far enough above them they have to tilt their heads back. We play a game. Nikolas, where's your tummy? He already starts laughing. I tickle his tummy quickly tilt his head up talk to him the whole time and smile and swipe the hair with the wash cloth. Then I ask Andrew the same thing. We go over every ticklish place there is and eventually the soap is out and they don't even realize it. Distraction Distraction. I have noticed they don't have much problem getting their own hair wet or each others, but if I come any where near them with a cup they scream. Giving him as much control as you can might help.
Asking for kisses, what a great and sneaky way to get them to lean their heads back!
My son's sensory difficulties with bathing are water in the face, water in the ears (took me a long time to realize that one), the hissing sound of the shower, and gravitational insecurity, which makes it hard to lean back with eyes closed. Even though shampooing is going better at our house, I always end up wet and stressed, so you have my sympathy.
Do you think one of those baby bath thermometers would help? Some look like bath toys and have a signal light if the water is too hot. I've never tried it myself, since our kids aren't picky about the water temp.
Here's my collection of online resources related to bathing difficulties/phobias.
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19176&am p;KW=bath%2Dtime
Good luck with everything!
1. Ali has this same issue...I just let her let me know when it is okay before she gets in. As long as it is not too hot or way too cold I let her pick whatever temp she wants.
2. Ali also hates showers and she said the water "hurts" and I have come to understand that the pressure is processed as pain by her brain....so I never do showers...not traditionally...if I am in a hurry, she stands holding on to me while I use my other hand to fill a bucket with soapy water then wash her with fresh water in the bucket.
3. I reassure Ali about this as she is like that sometimes. Could you find one that is easily removable and take it down each time? Or before you let him go in, put something over it to cover it up?
4. Ali hates it but tolerates the bucket being dumped an we have gotten her a foam visor that stops it from going into her eyes. Or I know they have dry soap.
Best of luck to you!!!
Story of my LIFE. Totally.
1) I have found evening baths go better than mornings. HUGE relief.
2) A FIRM scalp massage before he even gets in the tub may help.
3) water temp in my daughter's case -- she could blister her skin with HOT, but can handle any cold at all.
4) can you cover the shower head and would he feel safer not seeing it?
If it makes you feel any better my DS was the same way. He actually loves the shower now but still will not get his head wet when swimming. He didnt over come this until he was 5 or 6. I know it was in Kindergarten.I do the same thing with hair washing that i do with teeth brushing, I count or sing songs while i'm washing my kids hair, It really takes their mind off the sensation of me washing their heads, also we count the cups of water we pour over their heads, I do it kinda quick and just count each one. Then we make a big deal about how many cups of water it took. A good song to sing for these types of activities is.. This is the way we wash our hair.....wash our hair, wash our hair, so early in the morning.. The rythmic pattern really catches their attention.
i think coving the shower head is a great idea!!
I wouldn't force showers, (choose your battles)
I would definately get him involved in the bath process from start o finish. Do your kids take a bath together?? would it help if your younger child got in the tub first so he could see its not hot???
The only thing I can suggest is to give him what ever control you are willing to. Let him "help" you run the water. Keep a towel handy to cover up the showerhead. Maybe out of sight, out of mind will help? As far as rinsing his hair, is he willing to tip his head back and "help" pour the water to rinse his hair? Or maybe lay him on the counter with a towel under his head and wash his hair in the sink. Just trying to throw some ideas out there. I know giving my 6 yo some control, where I am willing to pick the battles, helps so much!A 9/93 NT
B 9/00 NT
C 7/02 ASD
Mommy
Oh boy I am with you here! My kiddo hates to have his hair washed. He also hated to have his hair brushed. Which is why I now have it shaved down to a #2 every few weeks. It is awful getting hair cuts, but it does make it easier to keep things clean! He likes the shower much more then the bath lately, as the water running into the bath seems to be too loud.Okay, I need some input here, we have been going through this HUGE bath time struggle, and I'm just not quite sure what to do...