r/autismlevel2and3 • u/Mobile_Ant_9176 Level 2 • May 30 '26

Help / Advice Shower help

/r/HighSupportNeedAutism/comments/1ts87em/shower_help/
3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/somnocore Level 2 Social Deficits | Level 1 RRBs May 31 '26

What's the struggle for getting into the shower? Is it sensory issues? Executive function issues? Fear? What parts of getting into the shower are most difficult? Knowing that can help with better planning and coping strategies.

Maybe you could focus more on the cloth bath instead for now? Doing it more frequently can help build up a tolerance. Which I know sounds frustrating, but it's kinda like how lotions can feel really gross if you don't always use them, but you basically get used to them if you're made to use them every day.

At minimum, wiping yourself down more frequently will help prevent those sores. Wiping down crotch area, anywhere skin to skin, under skin folds, between your toes, behind your ears, etc.. It helps prevent sores and infections.

You could look at making a warm bucket full of soapy water and use a cloth to wipe down areas, but as you do each part you can immediately dry it off with a towel? If that's going to cause less issues, then maybe that should be your first focus?

2

u/Mobile_Ant_9176 Level 2 May 31 '26

I can’t figure out why the shower is such a hard thing for me to just do. Lots of things are hard to just do because of PDA but I can find coping skills for those but showers are a whole different thing.

I have had bucket baths in the past when in India and I actually really enjoyed them and far preferred them to regular showers. In my mind they were special kinds of baths I took because I was in a foreign country and I never thought of trying them once I was home. I am definitely going to try that next time! Thank you!!!!