Children who are living with autism struggle with self-care for many reasons. They can have sensory issues, do not have a set routine, or simply not understand the importance of activities of daily living (ADLs). Learning proper self-care techniques is essential for children with autism and can significantly improve their chances of leading an independent life. Autism life skills training can give your child the spectrum self-care skills they need for a better home life with fewer temper tantrums and meltdowns.
At Camp Worth, we support teen boys and girls aged eleven to seventeen in developing self-care routines and other life skills to benefit their development. We work with each teen’s unique symptoms and form an effective plan for building their self-care, social, and other functional skills. Our programs can also benefit parents with tips for helping their child thrive. For more information about our autism life skills training, reach out to Camp Worth online or call 855.915.2545 today to speak with our caring staff.
Why Is Self-Care Important for Children with Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder has varying symptoms that can make self-care skills challenging to retain. For some children, normal water pressure on their skin or the sound of a hairdryer close to their ears can overload their senses. Others won’t understand the purpose of an activity and can trigger unwanted behavior if they do something they don’t like, such as brushing their teeth or going to bed on time.
For children with autism who do not regularly practice their self-care skills, they may not be able to:
- Feed themselves independently
- Dress, bathe, and use the toilet
- Fall asleep
- Be motivated for independence
As parents, you want the best for your child, and you want to see them thrive on their own. Children with autism with poor self-care skills will need continuous support, which can have an adverse effect on everyone’s mental health. At Camp Worth, we want to assist you and your teen in developing their autism self-care skills. Our behavioral therapists know the best techniques for developing all of the self-care skills they need to become more independent.
Autism Self-Care Tips to Use at Home
There are many things you can do at home to assist in the development of your child’s self-care skills. By applying some of these tips at home, you create an environment that is very beneficial to their health and education.
Some of these tips include:
- Use visual aids – Bright, colorful labels with simple words or descriptive pictures of the activity are helpful for children with autism. You can have them create the labels with you as a way to explain what it is for and its importance.
- Create a reward system – Use rewards to form good experiences with common spectrum self-care activities like brushing their teeth, getting dressed on their own, and picking up after themselves.
- Be consistent with your efforts – It will help if everyone in the family is involved and follows a set routine every day.
- Be patient – It can take some time for some self-care skills to become routine. Each child learns at their own rate, and some skills will take longer than others to understand.
- Keep a journal – This will keep track of what techniques work best to prevent triggers, calm them down after a meltdown, and the best tips for helping with their learning. You can share this with your child’s therapist to fine-tune your skills.
Help Your Teen Develop Spectrum Self-Care Skills at Camp Worth
At Camp Worth, we work with teens and their families in developing their self-care skills. Our programs and services can improve their socializing, personal hygiene, and other essential life skills that they need to lead a more independent life. Your child’s behavioral therapist will help guide you in what self-care learning strategies work best for your child. Learn more about our autism life skills training and other programs to benefit your child’s development at Camp Worth by calling 855.915.2545 or filling out our online form.
