Keeping clean and looking after your hair

How can you help?

Click on the green words below for more information at each step.

As your child progresses and the tasks get easier slowly reduce the amount of assistance

To start with, your child may require lots of encouragement to have their hair brushed and washed.

Check your child is comfortable where they are sitting. If on a chair it may be useful to put something under their feet.
If appropriate allow your child to observe other family member’s personal care routines.
Discuss with your child when they should be washing their hands/face/body/hair.
Show your child the steps of hand washing ensuring they use soap, water and dry their hands. – basic visual sequences can help with this.

As your child’s skills develop encourage them to brush their own hair.

If they have longer hair allow them to choose their hair styles and accessories
Talk through with your child how to wash/dry themselves, ensure they have washed/dried all their body parts. They may initially require assistance for more difficult areas.
Playing with dolls can be a fun way for children to learn about washing and self-care.
If children have reduced balance sometimes it can be helpful to sit down during routines.
Some children may enjoy singing when completing daily routines.
If your child is finding it difficult to hold items or reach certain areas consider handled sponges (link to NRS/other websites).
Consider the type of container the child’s toiletries are in. If they find bottles and tubes difficult to hold, have use of one hand only or tend to use too much force, it can be easier if they are wall mounted and/or touch sensitive.

When your child can wash independently they may still need prompting to wash regularly.
Older children may choose to remove some of their body hair. You should consider if your child can do this independently and what the safest way for them to do this is. There are a range of electrical and non electrical hair removal products on the market.

Your child is now independent looking after all aspects of personal care. They may also start exploring a range of different hair styles or makeup.

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Keeping clean #TopTips

General Strategies
- Try different brushes including ‘tangle teezers’
- Use conditioner
- Try massaging your child’s scalp before brushing
- Choosing the right hairdresser can be really important, sometimes it is better if you can find one that comes to your home
- Tell your child’s hairdresser if your child is fearful and explain to your child what will happen throughout
- Always be careful of water temperature and your child’s preference.
- Give your child the opportunity to watch what is happening in the mirror, this allows children to see when and where we are going to touch them.
- Where possible, allow the child to choose between the bath and shower, most younger children prefer a bath.
- Where possible, allow the child to choose their soap and shampoo
- Try and make bath times fun with toys.
- Try different textured spongers and flannels to find one that works for your child

How we can help

We hope this information will provide you with ideas to break each area of the activity into achievable steps.

If your child continues to have difficulties, you can phone us on our ADVICE LINE 0300 029 5050 (option 4) or ask your child's school, nursery or health professional to complete a referral form and send it to us.

For professionals: Referral forms can be found on the 'contact us' page

Need more information

There are a range of products for special needs children available online...

Fledglings: https://fledglings.org.uk/
Mothercare: https://www.mothercare.com
Argos: https://www.argos.co.uk/
NRS healthcare: https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/

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