Children should wash their hands before eating or preparing food. Children should always wash their hands after they have used the bathroom, sneezing, coughing, playing outdoors, blowing their nose, touching animals, eating, coming in your house from playing with other children or on playground equipment.
For parents, one of our top priorities is to protect and keep our children safe and healthy. In today's world, with pandemics and ongoing threat of illnesses, it is more important than ever to teach and practice good hand hygiene habits.
Brushing teeth, bathing, showering, cutting hair, cutting toenails and washing hands can be quite difficult for children who have sensory difficulties. Washing hands can feel painful for a child if they are tactile defensive. Washing hands is extremely important, more now than ever but it can be challenging for kids who have sensory processing disorder.
Washing our hands is the best way to stop the spread of germs and prevents us from getting sick. It is important that children understand why they have to wash their hands. There are social stories explaining the importance of handwashing.
Washing their hands is a simple and routine but for children with sensory processing difficulties, hand hygiene can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. This can make it difficult for children to perform everyday tasks, such as washing their hands, due to sensory differences.
It is very important to understand that children with sensory differences may have different reactions to different sensations, such as the feeling of soap or water on their hands. Some may find it unpleasant or uncomfortable, while others may crave the sensation and have difficulty stopping once they start. It can be a struggle for parents to get children with sensory issues to consistently wash their hands.
Provide a variety of sensory experiences by using different textures of soap, such as foaming, gel or cream soap. Some children may prefer the smoothness of gel soap, while others may enjoy the lather of foaming soap. You can also try adding essential oils to the soap to create a calming or alerting scent. Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder can have aversion to smells, sounds and touch. (tactile) This can make it difficult for them to wash their hands.
There are hand soaps specifically designed for children with sensory sensitivities. These soaps have a neutral or mild scent, are free of dyes and harsh chemicals, and have a smooth texture that is less likely to irritate the child's skin.
Some children prefer bars of soap while other children prefer liquid or foam soap more. Scented soaps could be bothersome for your child, and some prefer unscented soaps. Your child may prefer cold water or warm water. All children are different with different sensory needs but with some creativity and patience, it is possible to find solutions that work best for your child and make hand hygiene a more pleasant experience for them.
Turn handwashing into a fun activity by singing a song, counting, or using a timer. This can help keep the child engaged and make the task seem less daunting. You can also try using hand puppets or fun hand-shaped scrub brushes to make it more enjoyable. Timers are a great visual too, so they know how long they are expected to wash their hands. Singing the Happy Birthday song is a great way to know how long they need to wash their hands.
Children with sensory differences may struggle with transitions and remembering tasks. Visual aids, such as a step-by-step handwashing chart, can help them remember the proper handwashing technique and make it a more predictable routine.
Deep pressure touch can be soothing for children with SPD as it provides a calming sensation. You can try having the child rub their hands together firmly or use a hand massage technique before and after washing their hands to help them relax.
Washing hands in public places can be overwhelming for children with sensory processing disorder due to the noise and unfamiliar environment. Prepare your child by talking to them beforehand and bringing along a familiar sensory-friendly item, such as a toy or fidget, to help them cope.
Reaching the taps and sink could be difficult for your child. Having a child's stool could be helpful for your child to reach the sink to properly wash their hands.
Many children with sound sensitivities cannot tolerate the sound of hand dryers. You may need to keep paper towels on hand in your bag while you are out for drying their hands or your child could use sensory ear protection.
Your child may prefer to wash their hands with a soft face cloth, brush or sponge. Each child is different. You may find they prefer one more than the other.
If your child is like mine, they may require hand lotion after they wash their hands because they feel dry. I have always had to keep lotion in my bag, or she wouldn't want to wash her hands.
Often our children have challenges with fine motor skills. It can be difficult for them to use some soap dispensers. There are automatic soap dispensers that your child can use easily.
Praise your child when you notice they are doing a great job and encourage them to wash their hands. Include sensory activities into the handwashing routine to provide a positive experience for children with sensory challenges.
You can have them play with sensory bins containing items like rice, beans, or water before and after washing their hands.
Children with sensory issues may have difficulty with handwashing due to their sensory differences, but with patience and understanding, you can help them develop good hand hygiene habits.
