Staying Healthy As Cold and Flu Season Approaches
Parent Perspective: Teaching Hygiene and Self-Care Routines to Your Child with Autism
School’s back in session, and so are the germs! Your child may have already come home sick from preschool, school, or therapy. It’s that dreaded time of year for parents. We all long for our kids—and ourselves—to stay healthy as they return to their fall routines.
Staying well comes with a lot of pressure on parents—and even more so if you have a child with autism. Over the years, I’ve tried numerous things to help ward off viruses and stomach bugs. One thing stands out to me as we approach this season once again—you can’t control whether or not your child will get sick. But you can take proactive steps and hope for the best possible outcome.
This blog post explores several ways to help your child stay healthy. All of them are suggestions, not strict rules. You’ll find what works best for you. If you can’t do everything, that’s okay. See what you can commit to from this list. Maybe choose one, stick to it, and see how it goes. Remember, it’s about finding a balance that works for you and your child.
All the Ways to Stay Well
Wash Your Hands
Everyone knows how important it is to wash your hands. Unfortunately, our kids don’t always heed this advice. I’ve been trying to get mine to wash his hands independently for years. We’re still not there yet, but the good news is that it’s improved. Along with ABA programming, some things have helped my son’s handwashing skills and habits.
- Routine. Building handwashing into the daily schedule so it’s the same every time. For example, we always wash our hands before and after we eat. It’s just what we do; therefore, it’s not as much of a struggle.
- Visual schedule. Using a visual schedule showing all the steps of handwashing and posting it right by the bathroom sink is a big help. I talk my child through each step as he goes.
- Fun. Making it fun and silly by singing a song or doing a little handwashing dance helps with participation. Any goofy form of engaging my child in a daily task is typically met with a smile.
Eat Healthy
It’s no secret that many kids with autism can be picky eaters. Those with children who love to eat only chicken nuggets and crackers know what I’m talking about. How many nutrients can you get from processed foods?
As you work with your child’s ABA practitioner to increase food choices, there are some tips you can implement as a parent. Several cookbooks give you ideas for how to hide vegetables in food. I used Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious. I also started making smoothies packed with spinach, avocado, and other superfoods and fruits. Since my child didn’t notice what I put into the smoothie, he drank it down eagerly. Smoothies will take you far if you can keep the ingredients a secret. If your child doesn’t fall for that trick, you can try to put protein powder or electrolytes in their drinks.
Take Your Vitamins
There are so many different vitamins for kids on the market. It’s overwhelming. But if you know what you’re looking for, you can narrow down what works best for your family. For example, do you want a multivitamin or something specifically targeting the immune system? Do your research and find what works for your family.
My main goal with vitamins is to find something very palatable but with limited sugar. That’s not an easy combo, and I compromised on the sugar component, but it still is packed with the good vitamins my son needs.
Remember that if you can get a multivitamin or supplement that you believe will benefit your child, you can feel good about giving them a little something extra to help keep them healthy. Some people swear by elderberry. Others really love essential oils. There is no surefire way to stay healthy. Just do your research and use what works within your budget that you can maintain.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is a crucial factor to staying healthy. It can also be a tough topic for many parents and caregivers of children with autism. If you and your child struggle to get enough sleep, consider contacting your ABA provider to develop a customized program. Here are some general guidelines that have helped us tremendously throughout the years:
- Activity. Keeping your child stimulated and engaged throughout the day helps with sleep. Boredom and a lack of challenges in life make it hard for them to fall asleep. If their brain and body have been working all day, they are more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Bedtime Routine. Having a soothing bedtime routine consistent each night, whether a school night or not, is super helpful for kids with autism. Our routine is bathing, brushing teeth, reading a book, snuggling, and lights out. These must happen in the same order but don’t take long. They are just part of my son’s nightly wind-down routine.
- Basic Needs. Making sure your child’s basic needs are met before bed seems obvious, but it’s good to remember to go through potential needs they may or may not be able to communicate to you. It’s vital that your child isn’t hungry (or too full), they don’t have to go to the bathroom, and they aren’t worried about something for the next day that needs to be taken care of now, i.e., planning what to wear, organizing toys, checking the door to make sure it’s locked, etc.
- Sleep Aids. Using a weighted blanket or sleep supplements can also help with getting enough rest. With some trial and error, you can uncover some good home remedies to help your child fall asleep and stay asleep.
Stay Home When You Are Sick
Your child needs to stay home when they’re sick. Why am I saying this? Everyone knows that you shouldn’t share your germs. And that’s true for the communities that we live in. We need to be kind and respectful so that others don’t get sick, but it’s also vital for us and our kids.
Even if your child doesn’t have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, it may be tempting to still send them to daycare, therapy, or school. But consider the consequences to their own health. Their little, growing bodies require rest when they feel run down. Take the time to let them be at home in their space. They may not opt to rest and take things slow like we want them to. Our highly active kids don’t always know what’s best for them, but you do as a parent and caregiver. Review the suggestions above and give them a little TLC to meet their needs.
BrightPath Behavior is Cheering You On this Fall!
You’ve got this! Your child may only sometimes want to cooperate with their self-care and hygiene, but you can lay the groundwork while they’re young. With a lot of love, patience, repetition, and ABA therapy, you will see success! You won’t be able to achieve every single form of illness prevention you want to keep your home healthy this fall. You might get sick. In the midst of it all, don’t forget to take care of yourself so you can help care for those you love.
What are your biggest questions or concerns about keeping your child healthy during cold and flu season?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, please feel free to like, share, and follow us for more insightful content on autism and ABA therapy.
If a positive, play-based approach to ABA appeals to you, we invite you to contact BrightPath Behavior. The friendly team at BrightPath Behavior is always ready to answer your questions.
Kathy McClelland is a freelance copywriter and marketer for pediatric healthcare and special education brands from Austin, Texas. Before becoming a mom, her work included promoting medical journals and online publications for the American Academy of Pediatrics and parenting books for Tyndale House Publishers. When her second son was born with a rare genetic condition, she was thrust into the world of special needs parenting. Her website is kathymcopywriting.com.
Disclaimer: While I am a consultant writing on behalf of BrightPath Behavior, my child is not a current client. The views and experiences shared in this blog post are entirely from a parent’s perspective. My goal is to provide informative content and insights based on my personal experiences, as well as interviews conducted with the staff at BrightPath Behavior.
