Teaching autistic kids hygiene

It's really my own fault. Yes, there are some special conditions, but I can't blame anyone but myself for my problems with my teeth. Last weekend, I spent some time in the emergency room for extreme mouth pain to check for possibility of a dental abscess or infection. Man did it hurt. It felt like the entire side of my face wanted to break open. So, why didn't I go to a dentist? Well, that's a problem the entire state of Wisconsin is facing right now.

There are thousands of people on state care (Badgercare, Forward card, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.) here and only a handful of dentists who will take that insurance. When I moved here, I had some cavities to take care of. No problem, go to the dentist right? Wrong. The only dentists I could find that would consider my insurance was too far away for me to get to. The Dental collage? Two year waiting list when I called them. Now that I'm considered an "emergency" the surgeon can see me in a few WEEKS. Why? Because there aren't enough dentists who will do the job and accept the insurance. Currently, the standoff between the dentists and the insurance is a threat to my health and that of thousands of others. That is why I now have three broken teeth instead of cavities. Well, there is the point that I am about to make that could have kept me from worrying about any of this garbage.... I could have done a better job taking care of myself.

Especially in these times of idiotic greed from so called professionals who are supposed to represent our health and well being, our kids must learn the importance of their personal hygiene. To do this, I believe we need to understand what gets in the way of using that hygiene properly.

Our autistic children have a couple issues that get in their way. One is that they are very "bottom line" oriented and have a tendency to want to skip steps in things to get to the end result. They don't see a reason to put extra time into things and have to learn where it is important and why. Details matter. They can also suffer the attitude of "why bother, I'm only going to get them dirty again" and that requires use of another set of details. They don't understand that cavities happen over a long period of time. It has to be integrated as a matter of routine too. If it's not routine, it will get dropped. Then there's the matter of "stuck in a rut" where their special interest will overtake hygiene and other issues of actual life importance. A balance has to be planned out and practiced from early on.

Depression and other mental illnesses cloud judgment and can severely affect proper hygiene. Feelings of worthlessness or obsession with certain issues will literally crowd out even feeling the need to practice hygiene. "Why bother" becomes a major danger along with diminished feelings of self worth. If you feel like you are a worthless person you will treat yourself the same. I had a severe period of depression that lasted for several years and hurt me badly. It was also hard for loved ones to see. I'm glad I have my depression under wraps now, but I know how much damage it could do or could have done. Remember, at it's worst, depression can kill. That means any other damage along the way is simple for it.

What things help install those healthy habits?

Routine, routine, routine: Make it a required routine. Make it a requirement before doing two things; leaving the house for school or anything else and going to bed. No matter what you go to bed for, you must brush your teeth before you do. It's that simple. This practice can keep your teeth healthy for decades.

Teach negative consequences: But watch out for the "won't happen to me" attitude. An important consequence for our kids and especially our kids with autism, is social acceptance. Most of them want social acceptance desperately, they have to know right away that personal hygiene is of the utmost importance in having that. No one wants to be near anyone who stinks, for example. Bad breath and rotten teeth are turn offs too. Does he or she want to get along with the opposite sex? Then you must have good hygiene in all it's forms. It's a life lesson. Yes, many of these can turn into positive consequences as well and should be presented both ways.

Example: I know of a child who skips wiping his bottom after going to the bathroom (skipping steps for the end result). We can tell because he also skips flushing. As a matter of hygiene it's constantly reminded and explained. Does he want people to complain that he stinks (which will hurt his feelings)? Of course not. Then, he has to do all the steps and clean himself when he's done. I give him something to associate with, knowing he hates strong smells himself. I remind him how it feels when he comes across something that smells bad to him. If he smells like that to everyone else, what will happen? This is just one example of course, but hopefully you can see some techniques that will help you. It's more important with our health care problems now than ever before.

Another technique I've mentioned before is getting them involved, especially as teens who require more hygiene items than small children. Let them pick the things with scents that won't trigger them and are non-irritating to their skin. Remember, they still have to deal with their autism on top of becoming a teen.

Answering wolf hybrid mail

First of all, let me offer you my newest article on the realities of owning a wild animal hybrid HERE.

For those of you who write to me or leave a comment about how great your pet has been for you, I'm glad you have had such a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, I think you miss the point or several points that I have been trying to make. This appears to be a trend.

I'm not saying that hybrids can't be taken anywhere by responsible people.

I'm not saying they are monsters that will freak out and hurt everyone near them.

I'm not calling the whole breed evil and I've said over an over that this is happening because people won't stop being stupid with them.

I am saying that they have wild instincts that owners or potential owners had better pay attention to. They are not for the casual owner, and it seems to me that the enthusiasts who are writing me, want to say they are.

I am saying that they must not be advertised as a service animal for the disabled. Yes, I dealt with only one person who made that suggestion, but it only takes one.

Do you, the enthusiasts who keep emailing me, actually want irresponsible people to own a hybrid? Do you want the bad press that will bring?

Honestly, if you don't like my message I can't imagine what you must think of every time someone gets mauled and that goes in the news. But the fact is that a lot of kids are dead.

You especially need to STOP comparing them to the standard domestic dog. Just stop it. They aren't considered or recognized or have the same needs or issues legally as a standard dog. Yes, canine instincts are intact in them all, but a wolf takes those to the extreme and a non-domestic level. You have to stop sugar coating the reality of what you face as a hybrid owner, see article above.

When you contact me and say "my hybrid is nice to everyone" as an argument against my articles, you already lose. It doesn't matter if it's tame or nice to everyone FOR YOU. You are it's owner, you are it's alpha, your family is it's pack. And none of that, NONE OF IT, changes the views of the law. It doesn't change the bottom line.

And I'm not going to debate my reasoning anymore because any fact I have given (see the email correspondence in prior posting) gets deflected to some out of the way and nearly (if not completely) unrelated suggestion that doesn't hold up in court.

And that's what matters people, what will hold up in a court of law! That's why your hybrids are unlawful in EIGHT FREAKING STATES! Not even the pitbull is banned at state level yet that I've found, but if you know one let me know!