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About Paul Johnson
Expertise
All questions regarding late diagnosis (Adults with Asperger's Or othe ASD's). Spirituality and ASD, Relationships, How our minds work, Adolescent development with AS and Self Definition as an Autistic culture.

Experience
Diagnosed with AS at age of 47, countless expereinces related to AS. Journalist and highly self reflective. Two degrees in Psychology. Conducting two Adult with Asperger's groups. Writer and lecturer in the area.

Organizations
Toastmasters Autism Society of Minnesota Loft center for writers

Publications
Double Dutch in the Nile Garden-Collection of poetry book 1996 Numerous articles The Love Book-Unpublished No Woman No Cry book regarding cultural aspects of grief-Unpublished

Education/Credentials
High school diploma-Abraham Lincoln Brooklyn New York Undergraduate City College of New York B.A. PSYCHOLOGY Graduate school University of Minnesota M.A. Counseling Psychology

Awards and Honors
Volunteer of the years-Mayors Award New York City 1980 Unsung hero in community-Minneapolis 2000 Community service award 2006.

Past/Present Clients
Many

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Autism > PDD-nos & personal hygiene

Autism - PDD-nos & personal hygiene

Expert: Paul Johnson - 10/29/2009

Question
My son is 13 going on 14 and has PDD-nos. Since he was very young , we taught him good hygiene habits , but to no avail. He won't brush his teeth , pretends to shower , won't change his underwear , etc.. I can wash his hair , with a clarifying shampoo , but we can't be in the bathroom with him. Even his well groomed peers aren't having any influence. We got him Axe body wash(at my son' request) and accompanying body spray. He doesn't use those products coonsistently. What can we do?

Answer
Hey Karen.

This is a common question among many parents of ASD children. I do not know of any definitive techniques. Your son does not experience the results of poor hygiene habits the way others around him. Thus the challenge is to help him understand the offense others feel when somebody is close. I am not sure how you go about this; short of getting really close to him while not bathing your self. While this is a tempting response, I am not sure it would translate to him understanding that this is how he disturbs others.

Perhaps a simple consequence like early bedtime for not showering might be the most effective. There has been very very ASD few individuals who do not outgrow this when they reach late adolescence.

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