Bath time. Sigh. They either LOVE it or DESPISE it! Some you cannot draw away from playing to get in the tub. Others come running to the tub and you have to eventually pull them out with pruned skin. And then there are those that you need to beg, plead, and eventually force into allowing at the very least a sponge bath.
What could be so devastating about getting into a tub of sudsy, warm water filled with toys? I mean, sounds like a getaway for most parents, right?
Some of these kids have a difficult time with transitions. It may not matter whether you were taking them to the circus, going to bed, park, Grandma's, or the bath. Leaving what they are presently doing just sounds hard to them. They lose "control" of what they are doing and have a difficult time predicting what the next event may be like. Easing transitions is a whole other issue that needs further discussion in another blog!
For other kids, the concern lies much deeper. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a real and often debilitating diagnosis that can create great distress when bath time arises. Sensory Processing is the ability of our neurological system to take what is happening in the environment and turn it into functional information. Our brains get to decide whether that information is safe and can be ignored, enjoyed, or potentially dangerous leading to a fight, flight, or flee reaction. Individuals with SPD may elicit symptoms of extreme sensitivity or appear a bit "extra". In either case, a behavior is elicited.
Bath time is filled with sensory experiences. One or many of the below considerations may be impacting your child's responses when it comes to getting "cleaned up". Read through the list. Experiment with various conditions. Responses to the changes may be subtle or drastic, of which all are worth noting.
Considerations of Sensory Triggers in the Bath
Temperature Changes -
SPD can cause extreme sensitivity to cold or heat. Water temperature is no different. What we consider to be comfortable may be an sign for a child with SPD to react BIG. Their brain is telling them they are in danger. I've known kids that do much better in tepid water than in warm water. As well, consider the temperature of your bathroom upon getting out. I know as an adult I love experiencing the warm water, but getting out is another story! BRRRRR! If you can throw your child's bath towel in a dryer to have it extra warm and cozy upon exiting, you may have a child with a change of heart regarding bath time.
Tactile Sensitivity -
Sensitivity to touch can make the sensation of water and the texture of bath products aversive, causing anxiety or avoidance behaviors. I've been able to spend time with an extremely intelligent middle schooler who struggled so much with the "touch" of water hitting her skin that her parents were still needing to assist her with bathing. SPD is real. We must respect this or we put our children at risk for further social-emotional difficulties down the road.
Consider what you use to wash your child with. Textures of washcloths, sponges, etc. can impact comfort level. In the example of the above, we needed to complete months worth of desensitizing in order to get her to bathe independently. The distress was so distracting for this sweet young girl, that we even had to create a checklist to hang in her shower to ensure she completed all of the steps required to thoroughly bathe.
Auditory Sensitivity -
The sound of running water or splashing can be distressing for individuals with SPD who are sensitive to auditory stimuli, adding to the stress of bath time. This includes running water as well as draining it. You may want to do both with your child not in the presence of those 2 parts.
Visual Overload -
Bright lights in the bathroom or reflections in the water may be overwhelming for those with sensory processing challenges, making it hard to focus or relax. Dimming the lights, or doing your bath in the morning using natural lighting may be an alternative to these visually stimulating effects.
Olfactory Sensitivity-
Consider the bath products that you use. If able, allow your child to go to store and smell products that are acceptable to them. Generally, using soaps without any perfumes would be ideal. However, if looking for soothing more comforting smells consider lavender, chamomile, or bergamot. Once you find something that works, stick to it! Backsliding on success in the bathtub due to changing a product can revert a child back to the original fear of bath time.
Proprioceptive Challenges -
Difficulty with proprioception, or awareness of one's body in space, can make it hard for individuals with SPD to coordinate movements in the confined space of a bathtub or shower. Motor planning to get one safely in a tub or shower combined with fear of sliding or slipping can create huge distress.
Vestibular Challenges -
An individual with difficulty with their vestibular system can have an extreme fear of tilting their head back or forward when required to do so with shampooing hair. Special adaptations may need to be made such as a Shower Cap Shield.
Sensory Seeking Behaviors -
On the opposite side of sensitivity is the need for "more" of a sensation. Some children crave smells, tastes, movement, etc.. and can seemingly be gregarious in their reactions. Water ends up everywhere in the bathroom. They are extra loud, cannot get enough of tilting their head into the water, and incessantly smell the shampoo bottle. Bathing this child requires you to be in a wetsuit and clear the bathroom of any breakables. These children may thrive on extra long head massages with shampooing, and coarse materials such as loofah brushes to scrub their skin, and they love firm towel rubs following their bath.
Big Play in a Box respects that bath time can be experienced very differently by individuals with SPD. We have created a box of bath play with the intention of providing multiple activities that are unique and engaging. Children of all abilities will enjoy reading the Mercer Mayer book entitled Just Me in the Tub followed by the creative experience of making your own soap playdough and filling balloons with water and the included LED lights for a visual light show. Sea Life Squigz, bath bombs with surprises, as well bath crayons are included as well. This box can be enjoyed by kids of almost any age, however, we specifically recommend it for children between the developmental ages of 2-8.
This box is available by heading HERE.
Our goal is not to give you every solution to bath time woes in this blog. However, we do hope it gives you some perspective of those who experience sensory processing difficulties and the issues that may arise when told "It's Bath Time!".