Re: Re: 10 year Old's Hygiene Issues

June 14, 2004

NVLD is a new term for me, what is that? I also have a son who is OCD/TS

that is SO messy and has hoarding and hygiene problems. Gayle

Re: 10 year Old's Hygiene Issues

> Well, it sounds like a 10 yo boy to me! I was laughing at some of

> the ideas suggested, like putting things in plastic crates. My son

> (now 23, does not have OCD, although he does have NVLD) always had

> the floor covered with clothes, and it was impossible to tell what

> was clean and what was dirty. I tried the boxes/crates strategy

> with him. After a few tries, he said, " Mom, when I'm looking for

> something, I have to dig through all these boxes to find it. If

> it's out in plain sight on my floor, I can find it more easily. "

>

> So, of course I suggested we could sort the items by type before

> placing them in the crates--shirts in one, socks in another, etc.

> He thought that might work. Then he complained that they took up

> too much floor space, and he was always stubbing his toes on the

> crates.

>

> So, I suggested perhaps the crates could be placed on shelves, with

> handles so they could be pulled out easily....He said, " Wait, Mom, I

> think I already have a piece of furniture just like that.... " and

> pointed to his (perpetually empty) bureau ;-)

>

> The reality was that there just was no reward for him in the work it

> would take to sort items and place them in crates (or bureau

> drawers, for that matter)! Nor was there a reward for brushing his

> hair, showering, or brushing his teeth!

>

> I think he's finally somewhat better in these areas, mostly because

> he has a wife who picks up after him and nags him about his personal

> hygiene (or lack thereof). But young boys just are like that.

>

> Actually my two dd's (ages 30 and 17) lived much the same way

> (cleaner bodies, hair, and teeth, but clothes all over the floor)

> for most of their childhoods. The oldest keeps a pretty clean home

> today (maybe because of a need to babyproof), and the youngest, who

> has OCD, claims that when she moves to a dorm next fall she will do

> much better, so she won't impose on her roommate! We'll see....but

> I do have some hope, since I've seen the others mature eventually!

>

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June 14, 2004

Non verbal learning disorder.

Bonnie

================

Gayle Kolb wrote:

NVLD is a new term for me, what is that?

June 14, 2004

Well LOL , I guess the crates aren't for everyone but they have worked

pretty well so far for us. They are sorted by type--stuffed animals, Harry

Potter playset stuff, other categories. I'm sure the time will come when

Kel doesn't want her room festooned with plastic crates. I really think the

part about having to put things away before bed--so the mess can't grow day

by day to overwhelming proportions--is key. It's interesting your son could

find his things and preferred them all over the floor...one of my main

gripes was that Kel would holler for *me* to come find whatever in all that

mess.

I have a friend with four kids--two ADHD and two NT. She has a " library

checkout " system for toys and etc., the kids can only have a certain number

at any one time and they have to turn one in to get something else. It

works for her family but it seemed it would require more oversight and being

involved than I wanted. Plus an extra room to " bank " all the toys.

Take care,

Kathy R. in Indiana

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