toothbrushing

May 31, 2000

How much baking soda were you using?

January 14, 2002

In a message dated 1/14/02 11:26:30 AM Pacific Standard Time,

writes:

> . If she does not mind holding her own

> tootbrush and slowly place your hand to help guide the main areas to

> be brushed . If she throws a fit , stop . Try again after meal time ,

> just to get the hang of it . is doing good with an electric

> tootbrush , he likes the feel of the vibration . This was also an

> issue , the same for wearing glasses . When the outburst happens ,

> just stop and let them cool down and keep trying and reward or praise

> when even if its for 5 minutes , they'll understand it as a routine &

> how important the purpose of it . This was part of my journey with

> . I know we all deal with this is issue .

> Irma, 13,DS/ASD

>

I agree that you need to do it little by little but I would do it a bit

differently. I would try to stop before she got upset. If that means just

showing a toothbrush and making a fun time of it then that is where I would

start. If she gets upset I wouldn't stop right away. Continue a bit then say,

" there, all done " . My reason is that if you stop each time she starts to get

upset then she may learn that if she screams or acts out that will stop an

activity that she doesn't like.

If you are working on PECs or sign lang you can use that to help to see that

she is finished.

Ideally I would look for a behavior specialist to help develop an effective

approach and reinforcers to do this. An OT that specializes in sensory issues

may also be able to help.

Karyn

January 14, 2002

>>> If she gets upset I wouldn't stop right away. Continue a bit then

say, " there, all done " . My reason is that if you stop each time she

starts to get upset then she may learn that if she screams or acts

out that will stop an activity that she doesn't like.

Karyn , you see how everyone has responded to this issue , its

wonderful ! Because even though whatever I had mentioned we are all

there to back it up , just like the main point you brought up and

this is also what we do . Its so true and this also applies for

anything else . I did start out slowly and stopping just to introduce

the toothbrush then worked it the way you had mentioned because I had

realized that our kids do act out, to get out of it . The

words " there, all done " are powerful words that we use and I

definitely agree & the word " finish " .

> If you are working on PECs or sign lang you can use that to help to

see that she is finished. Ideally I would look for a behavior

specialist to help develop an effective approach and reinforcers to

do this. An OT that specializes in sensory issues may also be able to

help.

>

> Karyn

>

Another great tip here , because it could be added to the IEP and

these could be the main areas worked on . I know these were asked

during our ARD meeting now that the autism label had been added. If

we needed any assistance in these areas like the toilet training,

hair cut , dental appt. ,the grooming, & on . still needs

assistance but finally he will cooperate , along with the pecs to

remind him of the steps that he needs to follow . You've done great

here Karyn on the response, thanks . : )

Irma, 13,DS/ASD

January 14, 2002

I don't know who originally posted this question on toothbrushing but

here are a few tricks I use with Angel:

I use Barbie's to motivate her. I tell her the Barbies need to brush

their teeth, they ask her to hold their hand and walk Angel to the

bathroom if need be, they will even pick out the toothpaste if needed

and hold the brush for her. Barbies can do all these days. Mom can

do none. So I use them whenever needed, bathing, toileting,

dressing,etc. I also use counting. Angel can count to 10 so I tell

her we count to ten and when we are done we quit. We first started

with 5 and as she learned to follow my lead and count higher the

length of time increased. She knows there is an end and I respect

the end by quitting even when we aren't done. Makes for some very

messy hair when we have to quit brushing half way through, but it

gives her some control and creates trust. Moving on to the electric

vibrating toothbrush was a huge plus as she loves it once I get her

there, on a good day that is. Oh, and singing works well too. I ask

her if she wants me to sing and then I make up a song about

toothbrushing and include things and people that motivate her. Have

to think fast on your feet but it gets the job done. I think there

is a future in improv for me.

hugs to all,

cheryl, mom to Angel, 5, ds-asd

> In a message dated 1/14/02 11:26:30 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> @y... writes:

>

> > . If she does not mind holding her own

> > tootbrush and slowly place your hand to help guide the main areas

to

> > be brushed . If she throws a fit , stop . Try again after meal

time ,

> > just to get the hang of it . is doing good with an

electric

> > tootbrush , he likes the feel of the vibration . This was also an

> > issue , the same for wearing glasses . When the outburst

happens ,

> > just stop and let them cool down and keep trying and reward or

praise

> > when even if its for 5 minutes , they'll understand it as a

routine &

> > how important the purpose of it . This was part of my journey

with

> > . I know we all deal with this is issue .

> > Irma, 13,DS/ASD

> >

> I agree that you need to do it little by little but I would do it a

bit

> differently. I would try to stop before she got upset. If that

means just

> showing a toothbrush and making a fun time of it then that is where

I would

> start. If she gets upset I wouldn't stop right away. Continue a bit

then say,

> " there, all done " . My reason is that if you stop each time she

starts to get

> upset then she may learn that if she screams or acts out that will

stop an

> activity that she doesn't like.

> If you are working on PECs or sign lang you can use that to help to

see that

> she is finished.

> Ideally I would look for a behavior specialist to help develop an

effective

> approach and reinforcers to do this. An OT that specializes in

sensory issues

> may also be able to help.

>

> Karyn

>

January 15, 2002

nathan has pretty much always liked brushing his

teeth, so i cant really hlep here. He has major mouth

sensory issues, chewing up everything, uuggh, his toys

and shirts, and his arms, us, and his toothbrush too.

When i was teaching him to brush his teeth we use to

play this AW aW aw ee eee eee game brushing the back

on the aw's and the front and sides on the eee's to a

little toon, and i always brushed my teeth to this

little game too, he loved it, and still if having the

case of stubbornis if i start brushing my teeth and

singing this song he will come in and do it too. We

use to have a brushing teeth pecs schedule thing on

the bathroom wall above th esink, but he remembers

what to do now --yaaaaaa--can even open the tube on

own, this took about as long as the spitting, which he

still isnt the greatest at, unless its toward a

person, uuugh, its really cute when he tries to gargle

like us, lol. I would just give her toothbrush tochew

on no tooth paste yet, or even a washcloth, this use

to be a fav of nahtan's. and maybe let her just get

use to cheing on and playing with in her mouth? shawna.

=====

shawna

__________________________________________________

January 15, 2002

In a message dated 1/14/02 9:10:54 PM Pacific Standard Time,

writes:

> When she goes to have her teeth cleaned, they put her in a straight jacket

> (which was made especially for kids like her) just so he can get a good

> look and a cleaning. I know that sounds mean but beleive me it is the only

> way! She looks ptiful in it. It wraps around her from her neck all the way

> down to her feet. She cannot move at all! I wish I had one for

> home..........it would be easy to make. Just a piece of heavy duty cloth

> and alot of velcrose. That's all it is! Hmmmmmmmmmm.....?????

>

You could just lay out a blanket and roll her up in it with her hands by her

sides. Of course, good luck getting her into it after the first time

Karyn

March 7, 2003

In a message dated 3/7/2003 8:14:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,

tdluchsinger@... writes:

> I'm so excited -- he chews on so many of his toys, it's obvious he

> needs the oral stimulation, but his typical-kid soft toothbrush was

> overstimulating to him -- and obviously painful.

Hi Dena,

Thanks for the tip. Maddie lets us brush her teeth and they work on it

at school too. It took a little ingenuity to get her to let us in too.

I make a huge game out of it. I cheer like a maniac after each side and

she giggles and opens up for more. I use the same technique for nail

clipping...I look like a weirdo, but it gets the job done...LOL Now, as

for hairbrushing....UGH!! NIGHTMARE!!! Her hair is long (I have to keep

it at least pony tail length so I can pull it back off her face for eating)

and even though I go gentle, she screams. Those soft baby brushes would

never get through her hair. I found a brush at tones that we use

that at least goes through it easy so I can be very fast about it.

Good tip on the special toothbrush Dena.

Donna

November 16, 2004

Mav was the same way for the longest time. He still does not do a good job

and when I get in there and brush he's very tense. We tried pretty much

everything that you did, the motorized toothbrushes were the best motivator for

a

long time....love the BUZZING BUZZ!

But what really got him going, and this works not only in the tooth brushing

area, but overall, is to make it a race... even if there is no one to race

against.... " Ok, ready, set..ONE, TWO, THREE, GO! " Sometimes he would race the

timer, LOL, often he would race a sib, sometimes someone would be doing

something else and we'd just have him try to get done before them...whatever.

I think it's all part of the tactile issue, like the haircuts, washing the

face...and the worstest of all......LOTION!

M.

November 16, 2004

Mav was the same way for the longest time. He still does not do a good job

and when I get in there and brush he's very tense. We tried pretty much

everything that you did, the motorized toothbrushes were the best motivator for

a

long time....love the BUZZING BUZZ!

But what really got him going, and this works not only in the tooth brushing

area, but overall, is to make it a race... even if there is no one to race

against.... " Ok, ready, set..ONE, TWO, THREE, GO! " Sometimes he would race the

timer, LOL, often he would race a sib, sometimes someone would be doing

something else and we'd just have him try to get done before them...whatever.

I think it's all part of the tactile issue, like the haircuts, washing the

face...and the worstest of all......LOTION!

M.

November 16, 2004

Jill,

Do you verbally praise Mac when he does brush his teeth? We have that

problem here as well - and I honestly cave in most of the time to avoid a

physical battle. However, just asked me to put him to bed and I

said (cause I never give up), let's brush your teeth and he did with no

problems. I don't know what has gotten into this boy lately - he's even

washing his hair FINALLY!!!!!!

Toothbrushing

>

> I'm sure someone has or has had this same issue...I need better ideas of

how to handle it. Mac is SO resistant to brushing his teeth...he's fine

once the toothbrush is in his mouth and will brush for a good five minutes.

It's getting him to take that first step and get it into his mouth. It's a

battle EVERY morning and things are getting " ugly " around here in the am.

I'm very patient for about 25-30 minutes but then I lose it, he starts to

cry...it's a terrible way to start the morning. There are certain things

that have worked, but nothing long term. We've tried a picture schedule,

bribery (do this and then you can do that), a toothbrush parade, he brushes

my teeth while I brush his, singing songs while he brushes, watching videos

of Barney, Bear...brushing their teeth, social story about brushing teeth...

Does anyone else have any good ideas??? I hate starting out morning like

this almost every morning of the week, but toothbrushing isn't one of those

things that he has a choice about...he HAS to do it. Help!!

>

> Jill

> Mom to Mac (6 yrs, Ds) and Kit (3 yrs., Ds)

>

November 16, 2004