Asperger's and High-Functioning Autistic Children Who Hate Grooming and Personal Hygiene: Tips for Parents
“I'm ready to explode! My son is 7 and is autistic (high functioning). He absolutely stinks. His bedroom is a bomb site, he won't clean it. I am not allowed to clean it, he opens the door and the whole house smells if he does. He doesn't allow me to go in his room for his clothes. He won't bring his clothes down without an argument. He refuses to take a shower, won’t brush his teeth. I can't take it anymore. I went in his room this morning, found empty yogurt containers under his mattress. Clothes stuffed everywhere. I flung it all on the floor. If he wants to live like that, fair enough - but not here under my roof. I have had it.” A common trait among children on the autism spectrum is the dislike of grooming and personal hygiene. Personal hygiene is often a very sensitive topic to discuss with a “resistant” Asperger’s or high-functioning autistic child like your son. Nonetheless, it is important to instill good hygiene practices early on to prevent cavities,