Activities of Daily Living

Involve the child in the activity as much as possible (e.g. hand over hand motion, rubbing soap over their body, pouring water over themselves)
Use unscented soap to decrease sensitivities
Allow your child to have the choice of a shower or bath
Use of a bath rail to support with balance and getting in and out
Use a bath visor to avoid getting as much water on the child's face
Allow your child to play with the water to become more comfortable with the experience
Sequence the task (e.g. first wash hair, then arms, legs and feet)
Use pressure when drying with a towel if your child is sensitive to touch
Use a timer so the child knows how long they have to do the activity for

Follow a consistent sequence and technique when dressing
Begin with undressing
Encourage your child to sit down when taking off clothes to help with balance and stability
Start with using loose fitting clothing which will be easier for the child to remove
Use of a mirror to enable your child to visually see body parts and check themselves once they are ready
Use of visual cues or word prompt list of the different steps
A design on the front of clothing can help your child with orientation
Initially practice fastenings when the child is not wearing the item.
When doing buttons begin practising with larger buttons and holes and gradually reduce the size
Practice unbuttoning first
Backward chaining - teach the last step of the task before the other the steps, as the child becomes familiar gradually reduce level of assistance. Let the child take more responsibility for performing the task alone
Encourage your child to identify any mistakes and correct them (e.g. pull t-shirt down, trousers are the wrong way round, shoes are on the opposite feet)

Be consistent with timings and going regularly throughout the day (e.g. in the morning, before meals, before going out, before going to bed)
Encourage your child to let family know when they need to go to the toilet to help develop awareness
Use of visual stories or schedules to help with understanding the process
Ensure your child is sitting correctly on the toilet and has good posture (e.g. feet have a stable base of support and they feel secure and comfortable)
Make sure you give your child enough time and do not rush them. But do not keep them on the toilet for too long that it becomes a negative experience (10 minutes at the very most)
Games and activities such as blowing bubbles are a fantastic and playful way to help children relax their pelvic floor muscles and engaged their core while on the toilet.

Give your child the opportunity to try new foods, different textures and flavours
Use of thicker cutlery for ease of grip (e.g. Kura Care Cutlery)
Ensure the plate / bowl is firm on the table and not sliding around. A non-slip mat may be useful
Ensure your child is sitting comfortably with their feet resting flat on the floor or a small block or box can be placed for higher chairs and tables
Involve your child in the making of food
Practice cutlery skills in play (e.g. use of playdough or putty)
When learning to cut initially only expect the child to cut soft foods, gradually increase the difficulty and quantity

Ensure you have a bedtime routine and keep it consistent.
Switch off tv, games consoles, tablets and phones an hour before bed to help your child fall asleep easily. The blue light from the screen interrupts the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) in the body which will keep your child's brain awake for longer
Avoid caffeinated drinks such as cola or coffee before bed
A warm bath before bedtime can help relax your child
Ensure the room is at the correct temperature and lighting for the child to be comfortable

See the recommended sleep time by the National Sleep Foundation below:

KIDS for Families | RHCG: Helping families support their babies, children and young people to live healthy lives and reach their full potential.
Video Library - Watch Me Do It Project: Our research has shown that watching video demonstrations recorded from a first-person viewpoint can help dyspraxic children learn everyday movement skills.

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