From Dressing to Eating: Teaching ADLs to Autistic Children

I’ve always believed that every individual deserves to have access to the right tools and strategies to live their fullest life. ABA therapy has proven to be an invaluable resource for individuals on the autism spectrum, offering personalized and effective solutions. In my experience, seeing someone thrive through ABA therapy brings immense joy, as it opens the doors to growth and independence.

It’s truly empowering to witness how ABA fosters long-term success by focusing on small, meaningful goals. Each breakthrough, no matter how small, is a testament to the power of understanding and tailored support. Whether you’re new to ABA or looking to learn more, let’s explore how this therapy can create positive changes.

1. Brushing Teeth: Teaching Self-Care Skills

Brushing teeth is one of the most fundamental self-care skills, yet it can be challenging for children with autism due to sensory sensitivities, difficulty with motor coordination, or resistance to routines. It’s a skill that plays a huge role in overall health and independence.

Tips for Teaching Tooth Brushing:

• Use visual schedules to break the task into smaller steps, such as wetting the toothbrush, applying toothpaste, brushing teeth, and rinsing.
• Choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste: For children with sensory sensitivities, soft bristles and mild-flavored toothpaste can make a big difference.
• Start with short time frames for brushing, gradually increasing the duration to help the child build tolerance.
• Reinforce successful attempts with praise or small rewards to build positive habits.

2. Dressing Themselves: Promoting Independence in Clothing Choices

Dressing is an essential ADL that supports self-esteem and independence. Many autistic children face difficulties with motor skills or sensory sensitivities that make the process of getting dressed challenging. However, with the right approach, dressing can become a manageable, independent skill.

Tips for Teaching Dressing:

• Use simple clothing with easy fasteners such as Velcro instead of buttons or zippers.
• Start with easy tasks: Begin with putting on socks or shoes, then move on to more complex activities like buttoning shirts or zipping pants.
• Create a consistent routine: Help the child understand what clothes go with what activities and the steps involved in dressing.
• Use color-coded charts or labels to help them understand how to pair clothes together.

3. Feeding Themselves: Encouraging Self-Sufficiency During Mealtime

Feeding is another vital ADL. It requires both fine and gross motor skills and can be complicated by sensory sensitivities, especially when it comes to textures, tastes, or using utensils.

Tips for Teaching Independent Feeding:

• Start with finger foods like cut-up fruits, veggies, or crackers, which are easier to handle and less overwhelming than utensils.
• Use larger utensils with easy-to-grip handles to help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
• Encourage a consistent mealtime routine: Sit at the table, use the same plate and utensils, and try to keep distractions at a minimum to focus on the task.
• Praise each successful step: Reinforce the child when they use utensils properly or manage to eat independently.

4. Personal Hygiene (Washing Hands, Face, and Hair)

Hygiene routines are essential for health and socialization. Washing hands, face, and brushing hair are activities that children typically learn at a young age, but they can present sensory and motor challenges for children with autism.

Tips for Teaching Personal Hygiene:

• Use a visual step-by-step guide for washing hands, including turning on the water, applying soap, rubbing hands together, and rinsing.
• Start with sensory-friendly soap and gentle water temperature to minimize sensory overwhelm.
• Use modeling to demonstrate how to brush hair or wash a face and then encourage the child to do it themselves.
• Reinforce each step, whether it's washing hands before meals or brushing hair in the morning, with verbal praise or a token system.

5. Toileting: Encouraging Toilet Training Independence

Toileting is one of the more complex ADLs that requires a child to master several steps, including recognizing the need to go, using the toilet correctly, and maintaining hygiene after. For children with autism, this skill often requires more time and a structured approach.

Tips for Teaching Toilet Training:

• Use a visual routine: A simple chart or social story can help explain each step of using the toilet, from pulling down pants to washing hands afterward.
• Provide sensory-friendly bathroom experiences: Ensure the bathroom environment is comfortable, with appropriate lighting and sensory-friendly toilet paper and soap.
• Use rewards: Reinforce positive toileting behaviors with praise, a sticker chart, or small rewards.
• Start with regular bathroom breaks during the day to build a routine, gradually helping the child recognize when they need to go.

6. Organizing Personal Belongings: Teaching Responsibility

Helping children with autism organize their personal items teaches responsibility and structure. By encouraging children to keep their room or personal items tidy, they learn organization skills that contribute to greater self-reliance and self-management.

Tips for Teaching Organization:

• Color-code bins or labels for different items like clothes, toys, and books to make it easy for the child to find and return items.
• Break tasks into manageable steps, such as putting away toys first, then moving on to more complex tasks like organizing books or school supplies.
• Create a consistent routine around clean-up time, such as after meals or at the end of the day, to help the child understand the importance of tidying up.

7. Cleaning Up After Meals: Building Self-Sufficiency

Cleaning up after meals is an important ADL that teaches responsibility and helps children understand the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

Tips for Teaching Cleanup:

• Encourage the child to wipe the table after meals by modeling the action and using a simple step-by-step guide.
• Start with smaller tasks like putting dishes in the sink before moving on to more involved tasks like washing dishes.
• Reinforce cleanup routines with positive feedback when the child completes the task.

8. Following Routines: Teaching Time Management and Structure

Routines are key for building independence and reducing anxiety. Many children with autism thrive on structure and routine, which helps them feel secure and understand what is expected.

Tips for Teaching Routine:

• Create a visual schedule that includes daily activities such as meal times, therapy sessions, and bedtime. The clearer the schedule, the more independent the child can become.
• Use a consistent order for each routine so that the child knows what to expect and can anticipate transitions.
• Reinforce the completion of daily routines with praise or a reward system, encouraging the child to follow through each day.

9. Money Management and Simple Shopping Skills

While not a typical ADL, teaching children with autism basic money management and shopping skills is a great way to prepare them for future independence. Simple tasks like choosing items at the store or using play money can help children understand concepts of exchange and financial responsibility.

Tips for Teaching Simple Shopping Skills:

• Role-play shopping at home with pretend money and simple items.
• Use play money to help children understand the concept of currency and how to exchange money for goods.
• Practice shopping routines, such as making a simple list of items to buy and allowing the child to select those items at the store.

Conclusion: Helping Autistic Children Gain Independence Through ADL Activities

The development of ADL skills for autistic children is a gradual process that requires patience, practice, and positive reinforcement. By focusing on one task at a time, breaking it down into smaller steps, and celebrating each success, children can become more independent in their daily lives. These skills not only build self-esteem but also prepare children for a more fulfilling and autonomous future.

At Inclusive ABA, we specialize in helping children with autism develop the essential skills they need for everyday living. Our home-based ABA therapy and school-based support are personalized to meet the unique needs of each child. 

We also offer ABA parent training to help families support their child's progress at home. Serving Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, and Ohio, we’re here to help children with autism gain the skills they need to succeed in everyday life. Contact us to get started today!

FAQs

Sources:



• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022005771
• https://www.autismspeaks.org/life-skills-for-autism
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4912002/
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-08224-7
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4912002/