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These tips have been contributed by other parents, carers and professionals. We hope they will give you some ideas to try, but if you need further help why not post a question on our forums or talk to our resident Learning Disability Occupational Therapist.
Disco shower
I've bought a multi-coloured shower head on Amazon. The shower head flashes different coloured lights while the water is turned on. My son, who previously hated washing, loves it now!
Blow dry
I use a hair dryer (on low heat) as a quick way to dry my children after a bath. They find it really funny!
Waterproof torch
A waterproof torch for the bath (about £10) is great. It flashes red/blue/green and lights up the bath water beautifully. Can be taken to bed afterwards as an ordinary nightlight.
Mirror helps
Due to sensory issues our son hates to bathe. We struggle to get him to shower independently as he needs continual instruction. I found that using a free standing mirror has helped a lot, he can now wash his own hair. We use a 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash to prevent confusion. He is slowly becoming an independent young man!
Reluctant bather?
If you are caring for someone who won't wash, get involved with activities that are followed by showers, eg swimming. It may help if they see other people showering. My son only started using the shower and wetting his head because he saw it in a film he was watching!
Ending bathtime
Harley loves bathtime so much, he won't come out. We have found that singing the Good-bye song from Mr Tumble to the bath works really well.
Face wipes
Instead of using a flannel to wash my daughter's face, I use face wipes as the sensation is softer than a flannel, which feels rough on her face.
Sensory issues around water
If someone you are caring for has sensory issues about water and won't wash, let them use wipes etc as a start, or small damp cloth. Encourage them to tolerate water by getting them into doing dishes or washing the car, etc.
Fun and learning in the bath
Bath time can be a time to learn in a fun way www.alextoys.com. There are loads of things you can use in the bath to learn skills: rub a dub hoops in the tub; squirty balls with a net - to learn 'putting in'; bath books - learning words while in the bath; fashion in the tub - foam people with items of clothes that you stick onto them, to learn items of clothing and where they go.
Does it really matter where?
Sometimes someone else's bathroom or shower can be more attractive, or a paddling pool outside in the summer can be tempting. Have you tried going swimming!!
Bath crayons
Try using ‘bath crayons’, these are coloured soap shaped like crayons, really fun for bath time and encourage reluctant kids to wash themselves! You can often find these in chemists and toy shops.
Slide sheets
Slide sheets have been a real benefit to us. We have a two way slide sheet for our Janey's bath seat and a one way slide sheet for her chairs. They really help to lessen back strain for the carer as you are sliding your child rather than lifting. They can be obtained through the Occupational Therapist.
Don't forget the professionals
For getting in and out of the bath, contact your Paediatric Occupational Therapist who has many solutions for motor-skills and sensory problems which help with independence.
Floppy babies
Bathing a "floppy" baby is a nightmare and should take 2 people. There are also baby accessories you can buy (which I didn't know existed) in Mothercare etc that can help. Failing that get an Occupational Therapist.
Take the flow out of hair washing
The main problem during bath time is washing hair. Donny doesn’t like the water flowing over his face. There are little "face guards" available from Boots, Mothercare and Superdrug stores which are just rings which I put over Donny’s head and it prevents the water splashing on his face.
Timing can be key
I started bathing Donny in the afternoon when he and I are both less tired it makes it all so much easier.
Little by little/toy by toy
Jonty simply loathed baths, so I abandoned trying it for a bit, and instead I washed & wiped the essential bits & waited. A few weeks later I started putting some warm water and toys in the bath and he leaned over the side and played with them. After some tries at this he got in....(having agreed to take his clothes off first!)
Step it out - self prompts
John was having such a good time playing in the shower he kept forgetting to wash himself. My prompts through the door to wash were wearing thin so I got him to prompt himself. He shouts out which bit of the process he is doing and I find he actually gets washed properly this way. He said he felt a bit silly doing it at first, but now he is used to it and has added some humour to it. I am hoping that once the routine is properly established it can be faded to a silent narrative to himself.
A handful of oats takes the itch out.....
What do you put in the water? Some easily available kiddie bath products may be too smelly or sting the skin or make the bath slippery. A handful of oats in a square of muslin, secured with an elastic band and placed under the hot tap while the bath is run will make the water feel soft and take the itch out of eczema.
Out of your depth!
Try changing depth it could make such a difference. I know Sally likes a really shallow bath while her twin brother Tom likes a really deep bath.
Some like it hot
The temperature of bath water really has an effect. Lots of people with special needs find it very hard to regulate their own temperatures so you need to make sure you get it right. Ask your doctor.
Pump it or flip it
We use the pump action shower gel and also the same with toothpaste as this requires minimum co-ordination skills but gives some independence and as such confidence. If I can’t get a pump action topper I'll get something with a flip top rather than a screw top shower gel for her.
No surprises
Tina likes us to tell her well in advance what she is doing so I tell her in plenty of time that bath time is coming up.
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