One of the challenges that autistic people often face is the ability to work at being independent as far as personal cleanliness and appearance. Even as it is a struggle for autistic people, in their world they cannot see that it matters. Thankfully for me it has been continually stressed of the importance of being presentable when leaving my space to encounter the world.

This is a reality that is often faced on the outside of the autistic individual themselves because oftentimes it is something that is discussed by others after the experience has ben had of the inattention to their personal cleanliness. I also know it can be a struggle to do the things that are necessary to ensure personal cleanliness. I fought years ago with my parents in this area. While things like taking a shower were a necessity when living with them, there were parts of that which were challenging such as washing hair, brushing teeth and other related issues that bring sensory challenges to the forefront of life.

There were many times that my parents made genuine efforts in their prime to ensure that I had whatever tools they could find to make things more comfortable for me to complete my hygiene routine. They used whatever tools that they could find that I would be interested in to aid me in the process of daily personal hygiene that they felt would meet the need. Many years I would get by, and it would be a constant battle that was embellished with being critical for not putting my best effort forward to ensuring that I was keeping clean,

Now that I have been living independently, the battle of my personal hygiene routine lies within my court. I am grateful for the ability to have my own bathroom with a shower, and I have bought the products that do make the routine go smoother, although there have been times when it has been more challenging than others, but overall, it has been better. There is more of an understanding of the necessity of personal hygiene and by investing in it in my own regard by having the products that provide me with the comfort that I desire, it makes it just as desirable and comfortable to look at my best every day,

I now know that there are others out there that comment when others are not taking care of their personal cleanliness and appearance that they others are offended and appalled about things like odor and appearance that it is unfriendly banter that I certainly would not like to acknowledge if it was about me, therefore I know that I must do what is in my power to continue to be my best about my personal cleanliness and appearance.

To those who have autistic loved ones that struggle in this regard, I genuinely remind you to be patient and work with them instead of against them by being over critical about themselves. There will come a point when they realize that it is a necessity and find their own way of managing how it is necessary to care for themselves in the way that they are able to.