HYGIENE as an AUTISTIC Person | Life with Autism 

I hate taking showers mainly because it is extreme sensory hell every time!!!! I definitely don’t take a shower everyday, only Wednesday and on the weekend. I love feeling clean but I just have a really difficult time with the sensory aspect of brushing my teeth, showering, washing my face, and being in the rain. My excuse is that it’s more eco-friendly!

Anyone (on the ASD spectrum or not) dread it until you actually get in and it’s okay? But knowing your body is going to leave the comforting effect of being in the shower and then hitting the cold air feels like an ordeal too? 🤔

"I didn't know this really bothered me, but apparently it does." This is me 😂. So many times I'll be talking to my parents about something and be like, wow, I'm really worked up about this. I didn't know I cared so much 😂. Great video 😄

You did it! You're braver than me still :) for me, it's such a freaking process with a bunch of tasks and everything has to stop for it and it seems super unnecessary unless I smell bad or something. With quarantine, I think I have set some shower gap records... 😅

This is so me, too!! I HATE showers. I always say if I could wish for one thing in the whole world, it would be to never have to shower ever again but always be clean. I shower twice a week if I'm lucky.

I struggled with showering up until my mid-teen years. I've always hated how It impacted my senses: the sound of water falling, the smell of strong shampoo, and the feeling of water on my skin. Not to mention it interfered with my extremely stringent routines. I was told I stink god knows how many times; one girl actually yelled at me like that on a bus, humiliating me in front of everyone else. Other kids would group up and give me dirty looks and say ew every time I pass down the halls. I still have those traumatic events circulating in my mind, which is why I watched videos like this one to relate with other autistic folk. Very nice video, actually. Back then I was unaware of my diagnosis (my parents hid it from me), so I waded through my early-ish years like that. Honestly, how hard is it for people to at least be considerate when telling others that they have bad odor?

Thank you so much for this...I was recently diagnosed at 27 and am now learning about my condition and my own issues...and unfortunately, hygiene is one of them. Just like you said, I love feeling clean and love smelling good but just HATE the process of showering and brushing my teeth...something I'm trying to work on. But thank you SO much for your bravery in coming on and talking about such a personal topic.💙

i like showering and i like feeling clean, but you have to do it like every day and then youre old and die? also executive dysfuntion? can i just shower before leaving the house? let me be a gremlin in peace?

I don't have autism but I also hate showering, i hate the feeling of my hands and feet drying after being wet for a long time, it's like the air feels like I'm rubbing against paper so I only shower about twice a week, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who hates showering

I have a similar issue with brushing my teeth especially my tongue. I love the feeling of a clean mouth and hate having a dirty mouth but it feels awful doing it

Yay. Me and you are similar as I was arguing with my brother about this earlier as he showers every day (he's neurotypical) but I only shower when my parents force me to(I'm autistic) and would shower less if possible without being shouted at. You are not alone in your washing habits or only liking water in certain situations

A brave topic :)

I'm autistic, and I absolutely HATE showering and washing my hair!

I do my best to shower every other day! Every day if I’m outside a lot and sweat a lot. But there are definitely times I will admit I’ve showered only once or twice in a week. I don’t like to smell bad and I like being IN the shower when I’m in there, it’s just sometimes it’s exhausting to make myself shower! #executivedysfunctiongang

You are not the only one that’s exactly how I feel but the reason why I don’t shower every day that’s because it makes my psoriasis worse. I have autism and ADHD.

Great job. This helps me understand my 7 y.o. granddaughter

This video was AMAZING and You are amazing! This was so helpful. My son is Autistic and also has ADHD (and Sensory Processing Disorder) and he has a hard time explaining why showering bothers him. So this was great, thank you so much. :)

5:57 literally the best change of topic ever! :D This was really insightful to be honest and makes alot of sense. Though I really can't go more than a day without showering as it's a sensory thing. But also I don't feel as alert without a shower either to be honest. But this was pretty brave and there will be others who relate for sure! Nice job Sara! : )

Yes! Showers are awful, especially washing hair. It’s sensory overload. I’m glad I’m not the only one to hate the process! 😂

Thank you so much for talking about this topic now I understand why my 2yo daughter doesn’t like showering but loves playing with water in a pool.

i told my friends daughter who has Aspergers to watch your videos because she speaks like you...

Thank you for making this video. It makes me understand my teen more and also why I hated showering as a teen.

Lol mostly its the wetness that bothers me. Yes i agree with your perspective exactly i assumed i was just wierd. Love your channel. Its like watching alternate universe where i am a beautiful young and witty Norwegian. Thanks for sharing

I'm ok with showers because I usually focus on the parts that need washed and just use the shower head to wash the parts that need it, so it's less intense. I take a bath once a week to take care of the rest. But washing my hair is the worst. I can only use my very special shampoo because most shampoos smell to strong and give me headaches and nausea. I can't use a hair dryer because it's too loud and I don't like the feeling. But I also hate the feeling of wet hair. It's a traumatic even that I try to only go through once a week and no more. But if I wait too long my head gets very itchy and I end up scratching my scalp until it bleeds, which is also really bad. Yeah, I wish I had the courage to just shave my hair off, but as a woman I'm still scared of going bald.

I HATE BATHS AND SHOWERS!!! GOD I wish I didn't need to water to get myself clean but i guess it's the only way! I remember when i was a toddler and i didn't want to go but i did because there was some bath toys and I got distracted Whatever It feels good afterwards but ur all wet and it is not comfortable getting water in your eyes I do shower once a week but i kinda need more probably So i do shower but i do not like it

I shower when I need too , not everyday because that is just too much of a hastle. I think one aspect of it is because autism is a socially affecting condition we don't want people around much so we just forget that good personal hygiene is a thing other people place alot of value on, plus I have better things to do with my time . Plus if you shower every day you are stripping your skin of the oils it has and needs and you will have a weaker immune system because you are not used to bacteria , so being dirty is better for you in the long run.

Showing daily is a relatively new concept (and it actually is bad for your hair) - historically only rich people could do this. I don't like the feeling of the shower water pelting my skin, so I shower every other day, although with covid going on I really don't see many people, so I haven't been showering on this schedule as regularly as I used to.

I love to take hot showers and I’m obsessed with being clean. But I definitely wouldn’t judge people that have trouble with it. I don’t struggle with this particular issue but I have sympathy for those that do. I have other sensory struggles particularly with sound and light. It bothers me if light isn’t natural. I don’t do well with lamps and light bulbs. It can actually even hurt my body and it causes me anxiety sometimes. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a good day!💕

I love your energy! And yeah, I fought my mom every single night as a kid when I had to wash my hair XD now it's just a time management issue. Unless I have an exact rhythm and routine, it doesn't get done.

thank you for sharing this (even if its 2 yrs old) - i feel the exact same way about this as you and i feel a lot better about knowing im not alone on this feeling..

I personally love showering. It is so calming. I love the sound and the warm feeling of the water. But afterwards I need to rest xD which some people find weird. But I don't like to shave myself. I do it because I feel good afterwards but it can be exhausting sometimes. I absolutely hate wearing make up which made me feel less girly. I honestly don't care anymore if people think of me in that way but it bothered me when I was younger. I forced myself to wear make up which stressed me out. I think we all should take care of ourselves as good as we can and stop judging people for doing things differently. As you said we don't have to shower everyday and we can wash ourselves even without taking a shower. I have a question: I don't have social media anymore because I wanted to spend less time on the phone but now I want to learn more about autism.. what kind of social media should I use for connecting with like minded and autistic people? Have a nice day y'all

You are my hero for making this video lol

Hi! Recently diagnosed with autism and adhd.. also hair stylist of almost 10 years👋🏻 there’s really no “right time” to wash your hair. Whenever clients ask me how often, I say however often fits your lifestyle and your needs.. but do not wash every day if you can help it! Over washing can cause dry scalp which gets confused for dandruff and you don’t want to get started down the anti dandruff product black hole if you don’t need to! One big tip that’s helped me out a lot: use dry shampoo at the end of your wash day, before you go to bed, it helps *prevent* oil build up while you sleep ❤️

Thank you for this!

Omg you're so lovelyyy, I'm really happy to have found your channel! I binge-watched a few of your video, starting with this one :p I throught you had like thousands of subscribers at first. Also I spent a year arguing wih my familly why I don't think it's necessary to shower everyday so this really one spoke to me I hope your channel will grow, all the best darling ⭐✨✨

I hate washing because I always feel sick and itchy afterwards. But I hate being sweaty. I have a carer twice a week to remind me to.

Well done. I’m not alone. x

I wash my hair every 7-10 days because it's super chemically treated! Dry shampoo is my friend. (It's also thin/fine, so every style holds better on 4th+ day hair.) I love BEING clean and scented stuff but loathe the in between state of being wet/dry and getting into and out of the bath. So I bathe every other day. I'm sedentary and housebound, so I am not even being active enough to smell like anything but perfume unless I am sweaty from having a panic attack, haha.

Thank you for sharing! I’m the same!! I don’t like showers either :( I prefer baths because I can choose what parts of me are wet and and at when. Plus I don’t always want my hair to get wet, and I feel rushed in a shower. And I can do other relaxing things in a bath that I can’t in a shower, like read or play on my phone or something. I’d rather put off washing my hair too!

Showering every day always seemed strange to me. If I'm among people, I force myself to do it every other day but when alone then why bother showering until it starts itching?

I am autistic originally diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and I can relate to this. I hate the process of showers I'd like the feeling of being clean. Showers can be a sensory nightmare and a executive functioning nightmare. Sometimes I skip a day. I use 72-hour antiperspirants to stop smelling bad.

I found you recently, I feel the same :D I hate shower because the same sensory issues.

Thanks, i honestly hate it, i have mild Aspergers and find showering and hair washing such a horrid waste of time. I shower twice a week at most but I need to shower more I know I stink a bit at times but you know what it is what it is and at least I’m not going days on end. You have beautiful skin, love very pale skin. Stunning.

I love you so much I really needed to hear this (/ _ ; ) I’ve been feeling like a freak of nature for so long now I’ve been feeling really sad lately because of this reason. It’s always been an issue I’ve dealt with but recently it’s been on my mind a lot since it’s getting close to that time again and I haven’t brought myself to do it yet There’s so much I wish I could say in this comment just to get it off my chest since I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about this kind of stuff(and even if I did no one would really understand it) but kinda like a thing you mentioned in the video, I fear what people might say or think(since it’s very frowned upon in this society) In many ways it’s not something that can really be openly discussed(especially online where people are the harshest) because the judgment you’ll get for it, combined with the lack of desire to try to understand or hear you out on something most people are just so instantly put off by It feels lonely being like this and dealing with this especially when no one really understands because it’s something that is as easy and simple as breathing for them(when it’s not for you/me/us) It’s been on my mind so much lately and like a sign from god or the universe a video popped up about hygiene and autism when looking up something that wasn’t even that earlier today I watched it hoping to get something from it but it didn’t really provide me much so I was back to feeling down again Then tonight I ran out of things to watch on RU-vid(that was distracting my mind from this subject to cheer me up) and it started to creep back into my mind and I decided to see what I could find on RU-vid about this Your video was the first video to pop up For the first time IN MY LIFE I don’t feel alone about this I’ve been feeling sad about this but I’ve been pushing it to the back of my mind and trying not to let the emotions get to me so much but seeing this video just made me cry. Everything finally came pouring out Thank you so much for making this video 🙏

Great video. My son is autistic and he doesn't like to wash that often, especially his hair. This helps me understand better, but honestly I don't like to shower everyday either but it's just cause i'm lazy lol

I also have an issue with showering too. I have what was called PDD-NOS, ADHD, language based learning disability, anxiety and depression. I’m older. Born in the 1960s. Thank you for talking about it. I was actually better younger than now if I don’t go out and that doesn’t include chronic pain.

Fun fact, showering every day isn't as necessary as you might think. And neither is using lots of shampoo, etc every time. So showering every few days, or showering every day, but not doing a "deep" shower every time, is an ok way to do it. And showering less can actually lead to there being less oil in your hair, etc, since showering a lot trains the body to make more oil than it needs (since there is a reason it's there, and showering gets rid of it, so the body begins to make more and more), so showering less will eventually lead to you actually not needing to shower so often.

It is ADHDelightfully Autisterrific to see other people like me talking about their experiences with having autism in an allistic society. /gen /pos Showering is a tough one for me too for mostly the same reasons but with different nuances.

0 dislikes as I should be keep up the videos 🙌🙌

I spent an entire day during my beautiful Thanksgiving holiday lying in bed because I can't get myself to tick off the hardest thing on my to-do list, personal hygiene. When I have a structure, I can keep up with personal hygiene, sort of, or at least I can say to myself "oh, I didn't shower because I didn't have the time in the morning" and then just go about my day feeling presentable. It is the weekends and holidays that are the hardest for me, and they really made me realize how hard showering it is for me, comparing to other things I do that neurotypicals may consider hard.

I support individuals on the spectrum. Some of whom adore being in the bath or shower. Some hate it. Some despise clothing and some have favourite garments. It's frustratingly challenging, but we can all work together to accept people's individualities.

Thank you.

Me, too. I am diagnosed autistic and am tactile over-sensitive. Showering with its change in temperatures and the water on my face is extreme overload on the tactile sense for me. It gives me a lot of anxiety, too. I am going to try a handheld showerhead for more control, but I'm not sure what else I should do to enable me to get in at least 3 times a week.

I hate showers with a passion! I like baths a bit more because I can bring my computer and watch a movie or show, I can light a candle and use a fancy bath bomb. Also baths take a while to fill up and be ready for me to get in so it gives me a natural buffer to mentally prepare. If it makes you feel better, Washing your hair daily is actually really bad for it because it strips the natural oils, and your hair will get used to how often it is washed. I rinse my hair maybe twice a week, and I only wash it with shampoo every two ish weeks. The last few days before I wash it, the oil buildup is kinda gross but I can tell it's slowly reducing so I just wear it up. I am actually slowly starting to transition to not using shampoo at all because the buildup of product actually makes it need to be washed more. My goal is to get to the point where I can just rinse it with Apple Cider Vinegar water once a week (I still condition every time I get it wet though because it's belly button length and my natural oils will never make it all the way down). So long story short, it's actually better for your hair to wash it less frequently. You can tell people it's for hair health!

I hate showers as well. To make my hair last longer before needing a shower, I use dry shampoo. So sometimes I can go a week or two between needing to wash my hair properly.

It's crazy to wash your hair every day. When I hear that people do that I think two things:either they have the enviable trait of loving showers OR they are a people pleaser. I wish there was more awareness that there are other ways to clean oneself than showering every time. When you get married it helps--your spouse can smell your clothes and tell you if they stink. I only wash my hair once a week with detergent free shampoo.

I hate showering and always have for the same reason as you and also because I don't like getting water in my eyes and ears. I also hate the way my fingers feel when I clip my nails so I avoid it as long as I can.

Hvis det er noen trøst, så dusjer jeg max hver 3-4 dag (med mindre jeg trener) , og det går heeeelt fint 😘

im watching this after showering for comfort lmao. showers are hells for me n m not even sure if im autistic. the transition from being dry to wet, the temp change, the energy required to clean, the lights i have to have on if im at someone's else house, the sounds, everything sucks. ive done everything i can to make my showers more comfortable for me and they still suck.

I'm autistic and I hate showering everyday I know how you feel.

I will not admit how long I haven’t showered for I am going fit my autism assessment soon a d I have anxiety and depression 👀 but I hate when my hair is wet and sticks to my back I can’t put clothes on till I am completely dry because I have melt down over my clothes sticking to me 👀

I completely relate

I actually don't mind about showering this bad but some things I have to do like plan when I am going to wash my hair and it takes ages because it doesent always work the way I like because 7 days a week is not even so it gets messed up sometimes BC I like to have my hair clean for certain days when I'm doing things also when my hair is dirty I will not go anywhere or want to change BC It feels terrible and I do hate about showering is putting condishoner on my hair even when it's just the ends it just feels terrible the way my hands rub on my hair but then after I wash it feels alot better Is anyone the same?

I don't like showing or bathing. I don't even know the reason why. I love going to a pool or jacuzzi. It triggers my anxiety, and it just seems odd. I can go for longer than a week.

My thoughts exactly

OMG I REALLY LIKE U

*searching youtube for help how to hate showering less for precisely these reasons while i sit in my robe and towel putting off showering* lol. for real, thanks for this video - i always feel so self-conscious about my hygiene and i really am so so uncomfortable with the whole process but i agree i LIKE to be clean, i don't like to be dirty, but i hate every sensory thing and every change involved in it. exhausting lol. anyway, from one adhd and autistic who hates showering every day to another, thank you lol

I don't like getting into or out of the warm wet feeling. While I'm there it's fine tho.

hey thank you so much for doing this video, i am also Autistic, and i have a channel on here, where i talk all things Autism, this is so well needed for society to understand. I understand the feeling about water, it feels prickly on my skin, so instead I have a bath. Looking forward to more content from you x

You are so cute and you remind me of Aurora! ☺️💛

I find showers, or even rain therapeutic. Maybe I'm an imposter in this Asperger's game. Sorry if this sounds dismissive, but you have very good verbal skills, by the way.

I hate showering and I get away with people not noticing. I'm trying to get to a 2 times a week goal. But it also plays into my procrastination on doing laundry and it's a vicious cycle 😢

My dad bullies me a lot for my hygiene and yea I try to keep up but it’s never good enough he expects me to be 100% 247 and if I can’t keep up I’m disgusting a disappointment and I keep trying to get better at it but sometimes I just can’t Should he be more understanding or do I just need to try harder?

the same happens to me, i hate taking showers and other hygiene activities for the same reason as yours.

I shower every other day not everyday since it dries my skin out so I put lotion on everytime I shower

Most dermatologists agree that modern western people shower too often, disrupting the natural microbiome that keeps the skin healthy.

at the end of the video you made me think of the comedian Patti Harrison

I use baby wipes in between showers .

Stylish videos, your english seems perfect now. You know napoleon told josephine not shower for 4 days when he was coming home, thats Hot, seriously!

Am autistic. I hate showering too. I maybes shower once or twice a week. I try to avoid doing it as much as possible. If I got to go somewhere like an appointment or shopping then yes, I will make an effort but doing it really tires me out mentally. I can't remember the last time I washed my hair though, at least a couple of months. I usually wear a shower cap to keep my hair dry in the shower. My hair isn't too greasy. I should wash my hair but it just adds an extra 10 to 15 minutes in the shower doing it. Just can't be bothered. Back in my childhood before we had gas central heating we had a bath once a week and the bath water was shared because it cost so much money to heat up a tank of water. No, nobody will tell you that you stink. People are too polite. A parent might but not a stranger. I wouldn't tell a stranger they stink might get beaten up for it.

Recently I only didn't shower one day. Because I was to ill to get out of bed. It is good you talk about this. But this video won't get many views on the alga rhymnn. Your meltdown video will get more. That be naughty you could do a whole series on meltdown videos. The problem is with the thing it is a meltdown everyday almost. But I pleased for the video. A comedy said the same this fear of germs. You need greams to keep a strong immune system what happens if a pandemic happens. Which it has. "Why do I have to shower everyday?" He said on stage.

NORGE! Hello fellow Norwegian.

😊🤭😝 I'm happy happy happy now and I have autism

Autistic people smell sweet but can't smell rancid. Best thing to do is shower every other night or every night if your body gets smelly faster. Scrub the dirt off and lather up your hair and rinse with clean water. Autistic people have smell sensitivities, and we try to accomodate them, however other people who have strong smell sense can smell it and it can make it really tough for some of us. Person who is sensitive to smells, who has ocd, etc. It affects them. Please lets all accomdate each other and just take a shower every other day at least.

I am the same way because I have Autism too. I feel the same way about what other people say about US AUTISM people. It’s not my style either.

Talking helped me but been plateau diminished returns

I HATE to shower!

You're cute :) btw

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I bet if you lived in Florida you would want to jump in the shower 2 or 3 times a day