Shampoo
Shampooing hair involves water running in your face, shampoo stinging your eyes, and other issues that are particularly irritating and uncomfortable to some individuals with autism. Let’s look at some of the issues related to shampooing hair and some unconventional solutions for people who resist or refuse to wash their hair.
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Sometimes we make light of a person’s resistance to washing their hair because we do not realize the extent of that person’s sensory aversion to water running in their face or their sensitivity to fingers rubbing their scalp. Even the smell of shampoo can be extraordinarily irritating to a person with autism. Most of us do not have such extreme sensory sensitivities, so we are not sympathetic to our friends who do. We tend to think of resistance to hair washing as stubbornness or defiance. But it may well be that shampooing hair is as “hair-raising” as scratching fingernails across a chalkboard or stepping on a tack barefooted. Here are some ideas that have worked for some of my friends with autism who literally find shampooing unbearable.
GOGGLES. One young man wears swim goggles to keep the water and shampoo out of his eyes, and he holds his breath to avoid the smell of the shampoo. He puts fragrance-free shampoo on his hair very quickly when taking a shower, then rinses it off before he takes another breath.
BEAUTY SALON. One teenaged friend realized she could tolerate getting her hair washed at a beauty salon. There was never a hint of water or shampoo near her face or eyes as she leaned back in a reclining chair to have her hair washed in the sink behind her. She has a family friend with a salon who is willing to wash her hair for her several times a week.
SHOWER SPRAYER. Along the same lines of the beauty salon, several of my friends with autism sit backwards on a bath stool in the bathtub holding a towel over their face and leaning their head back. Their moms use a flexible hose shower sprayer to quickly wash their hair without getting anything wet except their hair and scalp. The process is so quick and easy- the youngster doesn’t even need to get undressed.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Recognize serious aversions to activities such as shampooing hair, then help your friend with autism come up with creative solutions.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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