Helping with Personal Hygiene in the Summer: Tips for Families

Summer is full of exciting changes, sunshine, swimming, outdoor fun, and new routines. But with all that sensory input and environmental change, personal hygiene can become even more challenging, especially for autistic individuals.

We know that hygiene isn't just about cleanliness, it's about comfort, confidence, and empowerment. Supporting your child through hygiene tasks in a sensory-friendly and respectful way can make a big difference in their daily life.

Here are some of our favorite strategies to help with personal hygiene during the summer months, tailored with neurodiversity in mind:

☀️ 1. Prepare for the Sensory Shifts of Summer

Sweat, sunscreen, bug spray, chlorine, sand, summer brings lots of new textures and smells. These changes can feel overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities.

Try this:

  • Let your child test products ahead of time (like lotions or sunscreen) and choose the ones they prefer.

  • Offer unscented or low-scent options when possible.

  • Keep a cool, damp cloth or wipes nearby for quick refreshes after outside play.

🚿 2. Make Bathing and Showering Easier

Increased activity and warmer temps often mean more frequent baths or showers, which can lead to resistance if the experience is overwhelming.

Supportive tips:

  • Create a visual schedule or checklist for bath/shower routines.

  • Offer choices: bath or shower? Morning or evening?

  • Use a timed playlist or favorite calming song to make the experience predictable and fun.

  • Try a handheld showerhead and let your child control the flow if that helps with anxiety.

🧴 3. Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Go Slow and Respect Boundaries

These are summer must-haves, but applying them can be a sensory nightmare.

Tips to try:

  • Use a spray, stick, or roll-on instead of lotion if that texture is more tolerable.

  • Let your child apply it themselves with guidance.

  • Practice during calm times indoors to get used to the feeling.

  • Offer deep pressure input (like a quick hug or squeeze) after applying, which can help calm the nervous system.

👕 4. Help with Clothing Comfort & Cleanliness

Summer clothes can feel scratchy, tight, or unfamiliar, and sweat means more frequent changes.

What helps:

  • Choose tagless, soft, breathable fabrics.

  • Let your child pick favorite summer clothes that feel good to wear.

  • Keep extra outfits on hand for sweaty or sticky moments.

  • Use visual cues or a timer for when it’s time to change clothes.

🦷 5. Keep Up With Teeth Brushing (Even on Vacation)

When routines are disrupted, like during a summer trip, teeth brushing can fall off the radar.

Set up for success:

  • Bring familiar toothpaste, brushes, and visuals from home.

  • Use a tooth brushing app or mirror game to make it more engaging.

  • If brushing is a challenge, start with just water or mouthwash and build from there.

🌈 6. Celebrate Small Wins

If hygiene is tough, remember that progress is progress, even if it doesn’t look perfect.

✅ Did they tolerate the sunscreen without a meltdown? Win.
✅ Brushed their teeth for 10 seconds? Win.
✅ Let you wash their hair after two days of buildup? Still a win.

Reinforce with praise, rewards, or simply a calm, “That was really brave of you.”

💙 You're Not Alone

At EmPath for Autism, we walk alongside families navigating real-life challenges, like how to make daily hygiene feel doable and not overwhelming. Every child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all. But with patience, practice, and flexibility, summer hygiene can become less of a battle and more of a team effort.

If you need more tools, resources, or just someone to talk to, we’re here. Always.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got you. 💙

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