The first step in creating a successful bath time routine is to create a couple of bad ones. Experiment, talk to your child and pay attention to their body language to find out what is working and what is not. Crucially, don’t abandon a strategy just because it didn’t work the first time around. Try it a second time, even a third, or fourth time before looking into other options. Sometimes your child just needs the repetition in order to grasp the concept. You can never underestimate the power of a good bath and shower routine, but it will be some work to get there.
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Goally to the Rescue!!
Goally can be a great tool to help with bath time! You can set prompts in Goally to give your child with autism more ownership over their own bath time with less prompting needed from you, the parent. This cuts down greatly on the resistance many children tend to give parents who are trying to tell them what to do and when to do it.
Goally is able to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a routine by keeping your child on task during bath time when there are plenty of distractions and opportunities to procrastinate getting out of the tub, or getting properly clean. This is possible to accomplish without ever making your child feel rushed or anxious through Goally.
Here’s a Typical Children or Toddler’s Bath Time Routine:
- Plug drain
- Turn on the faucet tap
- Turn the faucet tap off (when it reaches predetermined level)
- Check bath water for a comfortable temperature
- Get into the bathtub
- Wash hair with shampoo
- Rinse hair and shampoo with water
- Put soap on cloth or loofah
- Wash face
- Wash underarms
- Wash rest of body from top-down
- Wash feet
- Rinse the soap off with water
- Unplug drain and let water out of the tub
- Get out of the tub
- Use a towel to dry off
There are several printable visual schedules of this routine online to download but here’s an example:
Read more: 5 Tips to Make Bath Time More Enjoyable
Autism bath routines are effective due to their clear, simple steps. You can incrementally increase your child’s independence, initially performing all steps and then gradually assigning tasks to them until they can handle the full routine.
Setbacks are part of the process and should not discourage you. The uniqueness of each autistic child means strategies vary. Adopting a new routine requires patience and time – it won’t happen instantaneously. However, every tiny stride made is progress!
Goally | Visual Scheduler for Autism
Does your child struggle with getting ready in the morning independently? Goally’s routine app on the best tablet for kids breaks down large tasks into small, achievable steps for autistic kids. Create custom routines with your own videos & pictures for every step.
Goally can help you teach new skills to your child, including bath time skills. Complex tasks can be broken down into a series of steps your child can easily follow. You can also track how long bath time is taking every day over time and how often this routine is completed successfully. When it comes to bath time, Goally is everyone’s friend!
FAQs About Bath Time Routine
What is a bath time routine for a child with special needs? A bath time routine for a child with special needs is a structured series of steps that help make the bathing process more predictable and less stressful. This can include things like using visual aids, sensory toys, and verbal cues to help the child understand what's happening and what's expected of them. Why is a bath time routine important for children with special needs? A bath time routine is important for children with special needs because it helps reduce anxiety and promote independence. By breaking down the bathing process into simple, easy-to-understand steps, children can feel more in control and less overwhelmed. How can parents create a bath time routine for their child with special needs? Parents can create a bath time routine for their child with special needs by starting with a few basic steps and gradually adding more as the child becomes comfortable. It's important to use consistent language, visual aids, and sensory cues to help the child understand and feel secure throughout the process. What are some common challenges parents may face when creating a bath time routine for their child with special needs? Some common challenges parents may face when creating a bath time routine for their child with special needs include resistance to change, sensory issues, and difficulty with transitions. It's important to be patient and flexible, and to work with a therapist or healthcare provider if needed. How can a bath time routine benefit the entire family? A bath time routine can benefit the entire family by reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm and predictability. When everyone knows what to expect, there is less chaos and more harmony in the household. Additionally, a bath time routine can help promote good hygiene habits and make daily routines easier to manage.
This post was originally published on 12/29/2020. It was updated on 12/29/2023.
Ashley Lavoie is a mom of three and manages both child and adult ADHD and neonatal diabetes. She is advocating for awareness and loves writing and connecting with other families like hers.
Editor’s note: This information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as needed, with a qualified healthcare provider and/or BCBA.
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