Everyday activities and developing independence

Appliances

When using small appliances you could consider some of the following strategies to stay safe:

Use appliances that have an auto shut off or ones that work with a smart plug, such as an air fryer or microwave, rather than the hob or oven, which do not always turn off automatically.

Use visual prompts to complete tasks, such as a diagram near the appliance.  This could give information about:

• How to use the appliance for example a step-by-step guide
• Staying safe e.g. setting alarms to check cooking / turn off appliances. 

Bathing

Below are some considerations/suggestions when promoting independence when bathing.

• Create a routine for when to bathe.
• Does the young person benefit from consistency? Use the same products and ensure they are available in the same place each time. If you change products, let them know. If needed, encourage them to be part of this decision/choice.
•   Ensure the bath does not overflow:
  • Before they start running the bath, set an alarm as a reminder to check the bath has not overflowed.
  • Use a Magiplug on the bath to prevent water overflow.

Toileting

• Introduce a timetable of when to go to the toilet. Establish a pattern. Do the same for school, i.e. beginning of every breaktime.
• Use a card at school to request toilet access, or a more discreet system like a coloured wrist band.
• It may be useful to introduce a 'system' for when accidents happen. I.e., when at school, go to the SEN room for support, can underwear be discarded, what to do with items.
• Use a visual checklist with each step of toileting. Ensure this checklist is used consistently in all settings (i.e. home and school).
• Put the lid down on toilet to reduce the noise of the flush.
• If your child is hypermobile or has reduced muscle tone, they may benefit from additional practising of their motor skills away from the toilet. Try recreating the toilet set-up using a dining chair and tying two balloons closely together on the back of the chair to replicate the buttocks. Now you are ready to practice wiping!

Washing-up

Tasks such as washing-up can be difficult for some young people who dislike the feel of water or the feel of different textures on utensils.

• Try using rubber gloves. If the young person does not like rubber gloves, trial alternative branded rubber gloves that use different fabrics on the inside.  Or try using gloves they do like such as hygiene or wool gloves inside of the rubber gloves.
• Build up to washing-up for longer periods. Start with just one item each time. You could try backward chaining.