Why do ASD children lack good hygiene?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Okay, maybe my son is not ASD then as most of the psychiatrists have told us. But it bothers me to no end that I can not teach him good hygiene. Not sure how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I've lived in the Aspie world for 18 years and have never heard this one before. I suppose some Aspies are nerdish and don't brush their hair (think Einstein) because many are brilliant and focused on other issues than appearance. In my experience, they are living "lives of the mind" not of day-to-day mundane issues.

If anything, my perfectly "normal" smart kid has far worse hygiene issues than my brilliant Aspie . . but we are hoping for a turn-around in that dept. It helps if both parents are monitoring the hygiene track. Mommy alone nagging may not make son turn-around. And sometimes you just have to spell it out (normal or Aspie): "This kind of behavior is unacceptable; you will have a roommate one day, etc."

Not to detract from this subject but, PP, I think you're wrong about this whole idea that Aspies generally tend to be brilliant ("many are brilliant") and also that Einstein was Aspie. Einstein had long, loving, fulfilling relationships with women as well as with male friends. His friends did not describe him as lacking in any social context. The core trait of ASD is a compromised ability in social communication and this is key for reciprocal relationships. Einstein did not have this problem. He may have been obsessed with his interest, but he was not lacking in any way in the social area.

Not PP. Actually, all three traits (problems in social communication, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors) are EQUALLY weighed by clinicians when diagnosing Asperger's/ASD through ADOS. My kid got an Asperger's dx even though his social communication was judged in the "normal" range - his eye contact is fine, he is engaging with adults, not shy or anxious at all, etc. He does have very strong obsessive interests and perseverations although he does not have any problems with transitions. He has friends at school and he appears NT at this point with an IEP, supports & services.

Will never know about Einstein. If he were a child now, he maybe diagnosed with ASD or "something" in all likelihood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I've lived in the Aspie world for 18 years and have never heard this one before. I suppose some Aspies are nerdish and don't brush their hair (think Einstein) because many are brilliant and focused on other issues than appearance. In my experience, they are living "lives of the mind" not of day-to-day mundane issues.

If anything, my perfectly "normal" smart kid has far worse hygiene issues than my brilliant Aspie . . but we are hoping for a turn-around in that dept. It helps if both parents are monitoring the hygiene track. Mommy alone nagging may not make son turn-around. And sometimes you just have to spell it out (normal or Aspie): "This kind of behavior is unacceptable; you will have a roommate one day, etc."

Not to detract from this subject but, PP, I think you're wrong about this whole idea that Aspies generally tend to be brilliant ("many are brilliant") and also that Einstein was Aspie. Einstein had long, loving, fulfilling relationships with women as well as with male friends. His friends did not describe him as lacking in any social context. The core trait of ASD is a compromised ability in social communication and this is key for reciprocal relationships. Einstein did not have this problem. He may have been obsessed with his interest, but he was not lacking in any way in the social area.

Not PP. Actually, all three traits (problems in social communication, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors) are EQUALLY weighed by clinicians when diagnosing Asperger's/ASD through ADOS. My kid got an Asperger's dx even though his social communication was judged in the "normal" range - his eye contact is fine, he is engaging with adults, not shy or anxious at all, etc. He does have very strong obsessive interests and perseverations although he does not have any problems with transitions. He has friends at school and he appears NT at this point with an IEP, supports & services.

Will never know about Einstein. If he were a child now, he maybe diagnosed with ASD or "something" in all likelihood.

Forgot to add that my son while judged "normal" in social communications does have social deficits - he has problems reading social cues and is very literal. He's in social skills and pragmatic speech classes and have been for awhile and these are not very apparent anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL! I have a AS/ASD kid, 5, who has never been messy or dirty in his life. He will insist on changing his clothes if he gets anything on them. Washes his hands with soap singing the entire alphabet. Brushes his teeth for the entire 2 minutes. Never shown any inclination to pick his nose, ever. Uses a napkin after each bite if he is eating anything "messy". I didn't know kids with ASD lack good hygiene...

My son with ASD also has great hygiene. I taught him the routine skills by writing out the rules for him. He memorized the rules and follows them daily. He also cleans his room and changes his bed clothes once a week. He loads the dishwasher every day. He is a clean person.

[Anonymous]

Einstein: I am usually annoyed with the idea of diagnosing the dead, but I've always been intrigued with the idea that he had AS. As a young child he confused pronouns (my DS with AS did as well) had tantrums, could not function in school and then developed into the brilliant obsessive we all know of. I agree with PP that social deficits does not mean no ability to socialize. My oddball DS has plenty of friends. And remember that Einstein was recognized as a brilliant physicist, I believe in his 30s (40s?) which would help a person's social life.

I also think its important to emphasize that not all kids with AS are brilliant. There are plenty of people who dismiss the challenges of AS because they think these kids are all super geniuses. All it means is that they don't have an intellectual disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I have Temple Grandin in interviews has mentioned giving advice to adults with ASD/Asperbers to wash.

Bill Gates (suspected not confirmed Aspie) also had horrible hygiene b/f Melinda helped straighten him out.

Not sure why some kids want to be super clean vs. don't care--but I suspect sensory comes into play either way.

Where did you read or hear from that Bill Gates had horrible hygiene? I lived in Seattle and had many friends who worked at Microsoft, saw Bill Gates on a daily basis. This goes against what I've heard from them. I don't know why people want to believe that Bill Gates or geniuses like Einstein had ASD. They didn't or don't.

It was from a book published in 1993:
http://www.jonathans-stories.com/non-fiction/undiagnosing.html

Melinda and he married in 1994. Steve Jobs also had questionable hygiene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Einstein: I am usually annoyed with the idea of diagnosing the dead, but I've always been intrigued with the idea that he had AS. As a young child he confused pronouns (my DS with AS did as well) had tantrums, could not function in school and then developed into the brilliant obsessive we all know of. I agree with PP that social deficits does not mean no ability to socialize. My oddball DS has plenty of friends. And remember that Einstein was recognized as a brilliant physicist, I believe in his 30s (40s?) which would help a person's social life.

I also think its important to emphasize that not all kids with AS are brilliant. There are plenty of people who dismiss the challenges of AS because they think these kids are all super geniuses. All it means is that they don't have an intellectual disability.

Did you read "Diagnosing Jefferson", by Norm Ledgin? He makes a very compelling case that Thomas Jefferson had Asperger's. While it's pure speculation to diagnose dead people, I admit I do it a lot with members of my own family ever since DS was diagnosed. It's pretty glaring too since their symptoms are all worse than DS who actually has a diagnosis. LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I have Temple Grandin in interviews has mentioned giving advice to adults with ASD/Asperbers to wash.

Bill Gates (suspected not confirmed Aspie) also had horrible hygiene b/f Melinda helped straighten him out.

Not sure why some kids want to be super clean vs. don't care--but I suspect sensory comes into play either way.

Where did you read or hear from that Bill Gates had horrible hygiene? I lived in Seattle and had many friends who worked at Microsoft, saw Bill Gates on a daily basis. This goes against what I've heard from them. I don't know why people want to believe that Bill Gates or geniuses like Einstein had ASD. They didn't or don't.

It was from a book published in 1993:
http://www.jonathans-stories.com/non-fiction/undiagnosing.html

Melinda and he married in 1994. Steve Jobs also had questionable hygiene.

In college I started out as a computer science major. I ended up majoring in something else but took had so many credits that my job out of college was in computer programming and analysis. As such I was around "computer geeks" for many years. Most are not ASD or Aspergers (no such thing as Aspergers per new DSM though). They are simply ultra focused on their passion and don't take the time for grooming. However, if they're going on a date, to an event, they certainly understand the importance of good hygiene. Many were married and had a great relationship with their spouses, no communication or social skills problems at all. It's a myth, really.

Rocking back and forth is a stim, for sure, but stims don't make for an ASD diagnosis entirely. My brother needs a squishy ball or pencil to twirl in his fingers as he concentrates but that doesn't make him ASD.

And many high level or intelligent people are abrupt and direct. I've seen CEO's cursing at meetings, say things that would have been construed as rude by Miss Manners. That doesn't make them ASD. Time is of the essence for such people and they don't want to deal with bullshit, thats all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Okay, maybe my son is not ASD then as most of the psychiatrists have told us. But it bothers me to no end that I can not teach him good hygiene. Not sure how.

I'd go with the psychologists/psychiatrists' DX, not DCUM's DX.

If you want to teach him some hygiene skills, you need to create a training program based on positive reinforcement. The tasks must be concrete and specific and you must reward compliance every time.



http://www.mayinstitute.org/news/topic_center.html?id=394

http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/content/reinforcement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I have Temple Grandin in interviews has mentioned giving advice to adults with ASD/Asperbers to wash.

Bill Gates (suspected not confirmed Aspie) also had horrible hygiene b/f Melinda helped straighten him out.

Not sure why some kids want to be super clean vs. don't care--but I suspect sensory comes into play either way.

Where did you read or hear from that Bill Gates had horrible hygiene? I lived in Seattle and had many friends who worked at Microsoft, saw Bill Gates on a daily basis. This goes against what I've heard from them. I don't know why people want to believe that Bill Gates or geniuses like Einstein had ASD. They didn't or don't.

It was from a book published in 1993:
http://www.jonathans-stories.com/non-fiction/undiagnosing.html

Melinda and he married in 1994. Steve Jobs also had questionable hygiene.

In college I started out as a computer science major. I ended up majoring in something else but took had so many credits that my job out of college was in computer programming and analysis. As such I was around "computer geeks" for many years. Most are not ASD or Aspergers (no such thing as Aspergers per new DSM though). They are simply ultra focused on their passion and don't take the time for grooming. However, if they're going on a date, to an event, they certainly understand the importance of good hygiene. Many were married and had a great relationship with their spouses, no communication or social skills problems at all. It's a myth, really.

Rocking back and forth is a stim, for sure, but stims don't make for an ASD diagnosis entirely. My brother needs a squishy ball or pencil to twirl in his fingers as he concentrates but that doesn't make him ASD.

And many high level or intelligent people are abrupt and direct. I've seen CEO's cursing at meetings, say things that would have been construed as rude by Miss Manners. That doesn't make them ASD. Time is of the essence for such people and they don't want to deal with bullshit, thats all.

So? What's your point? Other than being random and oddly defensive?

"Can't totally de-geek the geek,"
http://www.wbur.org/npr/123383699/temple-grandin-the-woman-who-talks-to-animals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I have Temple Grandin in interviews has mentioned giving advice to adults with ASD/Asperbers to wash.

Bill Gates (suspected not confirmed Aspie) also had horrible hygiene b/f Melinda helped straighten him out.

Not sure why some kids want to be super clean vs. don't care--but I suspect sensory comes into play either way.

Where did you read or hear from that Bill Gates had horrible hygiene? I lived in Seattle and had many friends who worked at Microsoft, saw Bill Gates on a daily basis. This goes against what I've heard from them. I don't know why people want to believe that Bill Gates or geniuses like Einstein had ASD. They didn't or don't.

It was from a book published in 1993:
http://www.jonathans-stories.com/non-fiction/undiagnosing.html

Melinda and he married in 1994. Steve Jobs also had questionable hygiene.

In college I started out as a computer science major. I ended up majoring in something else but took had so many credits that my job out of college was in computer programming and analysis. As such I was around "computer geeks" for many years. Most are not ASD or Aspergers (no such thing as Aspergers per new DSM though). They are simply ultra focused on their passion and don't take the time for grooming. However, if they're going on a date, to an event, they certainly understand the importance of good hygiene. Many were married and had a great relationship with their spouses, no communication or social skills problems at all. It's a myth, really.

Rocking back and forth is a stim, for sure, but stims don't make for an ASD diagnosis entirely. My brother needs a squishy ball or pencil to twirl in his fingers as he concentrates but that doesn't make him ASD.

And many high level or intelligent people are abrupt and direct. I've seen CEO's cursing at meetings, say things that would have been construed as rude by Miss Manners. That doesn't make them ASD. Time is of the essence for such people and they don't want to deal with bullshit, thats all.

So? What's your point? Other than being random and oddly defensive?

"Can't totally de-geek the geek,"
http://www.wbur.org/npr/123383699/temple-grandin-the-woman-who-talks-to-animals

It's off point but the defensiveness is with the parents of ASD children perhaps, who probably think that by associating ASD with the geniuses of our time, they can remove the stigma of this disorder.

[Anonymous]

Once again, let me introduce to your new friend, wikipedia: List of famous people with Asperger's syndrome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_autism_spectrum_disorders

[Anonymous]

And, also from wikipedia, here are the retrospective aspie diagnoses: you will find Einstein mentioned at the bottom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrospective_diagnoses_of_autism

[Anonymous]

And for the ignoramus at 13:14 who thought "Einstein had a loving, fulling marriage" here, again, one click away, you could have learned what we all know - that Einstein presented his wife with a list of insufferable sexist demands and she left him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mileva_Mari%C4%87

[Anonymous]

Do you homework folks.