Showering
Here are some tips to help increase independence and participation in the showering routine.
You can use the apps “iDo hygiene” or "Making Sequences” to take pictures of each step to review prior to the showering process.
Routine
- It can be helpful to establish a consistent shower routine.
- Before bath or shower time talk to your young person to help them understand what to expect: a sequencing story or a visual chart can be useful. This can be pictures or pictures and words giving step-by-step guidance.
- Visuals can be created and laminated to represent the steps involved in showering which can be helpful in remembering all the steps.
Timing
- If your young person showers very quickly you can put a timer in the bathroom that goes off after ten minutes.
- You can also use music to set the pace. When the song changes, go to the next step. This can help young people who don't wash for long enough or wash too quickly.
Hair washing
- If hair washing is difficult try rinsing their hair using a sports bottle or cover their eyes using a cloth or hair washing shield.
- For young people who don't wash the soap out of their hair, teach them to check the water at the drain before they get out. Are there still bubbles? Then they need to rinse for another song.
Independence
- Encourage them to wash themselves so they are in control of any touch input. Demonstrate and give some instructions on how to move body parts and what you need to do to get washed, then encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves. This will promote independence and give them control.
- Put all your young person's soaps, shampoos, deodorant in one caddy or plastic box. This way everything is one place.
Last updated10 Oct 2025