Autism & Hygiene Struggles #autism #autismawareness #sensoryexperience

[aubreydanae]

If you’re able to purchase one, I hiiighly suggest having a little space heater to heat up the bathroom before a shower! I also put off showering for hooouurs simply because I despise the discomfort of being wet and cold after. Now I get the bathroom toasty, and if anything I am eager to shower because I know it’ll be the warmest room in the house hahah

[kateseph]

This was an epiphany for me. I'm not autistic, or at least don't have a diagnosis, but your content is so relatable and very helpful. Thank you so much.

[xXxKaleyxXx]

“Hard things are easy, yet easy things are hard.” - Is how I explain my autism and sensory issues 😂

[santanapylesss]

It's a huge relief realizing so many of the things I got called lazy or weird for doing were just autism things. I really truly just always felt so alienated and like something was very wrong with me and to know I'm not crazy and other people have similar experiences means so much to me. Such a massive relief😅

[KelseyIsARose]

I didn't start showering daily until I started living with my husband, and he helped me establish a firm routine of showering every single night before bed. Even when I complain about how much I don't want to shower, he makes sure to remind me of how it will make me feel better and I'll enjoy it once I'm in it, and it always helps. He's naturally become my accountability partner, it's very nice.

[dreamingffr]

This hit so close to home, i kinda cried a little.
All of a sudden, it makes sense.
so thank you

[jamie]

For sensory issues regarding smell: have at least two sets of all your soaps: one with scents that make you happy, one completely unscented. Some days, you want a fun or smoothing smell to elevate the experience, but others you just can't take the extra stimulation.

[angelviia]

this makes me feel alot less alone. ive often times been shamed by family bc i didnt shower "enough" but in reality its only like that way because sensory issues as well, thank you for sharing :, D

[grishakaleesh]

Showers feel like the static on a TV after a VHS ends. Yes, I'm old. I hate the static.

[ClemmieLeopardGecko]

One thing that reaaaally helps me is to shower in the evening (especially when I’ve been outside) and put my PJs on the radiator beforehand. That feeling of getting into warm, fluffy PJs after a shower is incredible. :)

[emmettvictor]

Fellow AuDHDer, chopping my hair off has made showering significantly less miserable for me

[nicabunnyplays]

I love seeing videos like this because I feel so bad for hating showers and how long it takes me to just start one. I NEED to be cleanly and not stink and that makes things extra hard. Thanks for talking about this!!❤

[orellaminx]

The worst feeling in the world is putting socks on after a shower. Some quirk of physics makes it so your feet are always damp until the socks go on, no matter how hard you work to dry them.

[AidanTheGaymer]

I had to sit down with one of my roommates the other day and explain this to him because he was so incredulous over the fact that I had gone 4 days without showering. I had been having really bad sensory overloads that week and i couldn't handle the issues with showering, so I just tied my hair up, put a headband on for my bangs, and just washed my hands and lower arms regularly with hand soap just so part of me could be clean. As I was explaining it he understood, and asked if I had any ways to cope with it. Unfortunately no, because one of my hugest sensory issues is being wet outside of water. I love swimming and being I water, I love showers and feeling the water run down me, but feeling damp is the absolute worst thing for me. Towels don't dry me fully, and since I force myself to put lotion on due to how ashy and itchy my skin gets, showering just makes me want to jump in a fire once I've exited the water. Since I can't fix that, I just have to suffer lmao.

[glassandsprinkles]

I was horrible at showering as a kid, I just found it so uncomfortable, same with brushing my teeth and even using the bathroom. It took me a long time to realize I just hated sensations I couldn't control and spaces that I felt venerable in.

[nonbinarygoblinonarainbow]

omg they way you speak and gesticulate and make noises is EXACTLY like I do (yes, hello I'm autistic as well) and I felt amazingly validated by that! thank you deeply ❤️❤️

[meg_pflueger]

They have heated floors for bathrooms and it sounds amazing! We did that for my grandmother because she hates being cold, she's from the Caribbean, and it's really hard on her joints so her bathroom floor is heated to keep her comfortable while she's showering.

[lolli_popples]

Shower caps are an absolute lifesaver, love them so much.

[jmackey]

Both my child and myself are neurodivergent and it took me ridiculous amount of time to figure out that they weren't drying afterwards because they hate the texture of towels. Switching to microfiber has made a huge difference.
I bought a shower seat bcs I had a bad fall in the shower a few years ago and was overwhelmed with anxiety when showering after. It has really helped.
Also, thank you for talking about this, it's so stigmatized, but so important.

[Thylacinuscyno]

OKAY thank
Hygiene is definitely one of the things ppl don't talk a lot about with asd and other things