A sensory-friendly collection of hygiene and self-care tools our neurodivergent family actually uses — organized by category for calmer, more independent routines.
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- Oral Hygiene
- Bath Time & Body Care
- Hair Care (Detangling & Haircuts)
- Deodorant & Personal Care
- Incontinence & Nighttime Support
- Visuals, Timers & Independence Tools
🦷 Oral Hygiene
Look for ultra-soft bristles, smaller brush heads, simple flavors, and short visual timers. Electric brushes can help with consistency, while flossers or easy-grip picks reduce frustration.
- Electric toothbrush (kids size, soft bristles). Each of my kids uses a different toothbrush to meet their needs:
- 11-year-old with braces and executive functioning struggles prefers a 3-sided toothbrush.
- 7-year-old needs a timer and independence, so this Dino-themed kit that includes a cup and timer works well.
- 4-year-old needs it to be interesting and have a timer, so this Unicorn toothbrush with a built-in timer works well.
- Toothpaste options (fluoride & fluoride-free): Hello Kids Watermelon (Fluoride-Free) | Hello Kids Strawberry (Fluoride) | Hello multipack.
- Fun kid flossers / easy-grip picks
Tip: If your toothbrush doesn’t come with a timer, pair brushing with a favorite 90–120s song or use a visual/sand timer they can flip themselves.
🧴 Bath Time & Body Care
We’ve found that gentle, low-scent products and predictable steps lower resistance. Texture matters—some kids prefer silicone scrubbers, others soft cloths, and my kids often just use their hands. Motivation helps: bubbles, bath bombs, toys, or music.
- Gentle/low-scented 3-in-1 bubble bath, bodywash & shampoo
- For my daughter, she uses this bundle for her fine wavy hair — Not Your Mother’s Kids Curly Care 4-Pack
- For our baby, we really liked the TUBBY TODD Cradle Cap Baby Hair Treatment Kit with this Hair & Body Wash.
- Bath toys — Mobi Oomplz Water Stacking Cups
- For bubbles, they just use the same 3-in-1 bubble bath.
- For music, we just use our Spotify playlist on our phones.
- All of our kids take baths or showers, depending on mood — we just roll with it.
Tip: Post a 4–7 step bath visual on the wall (grab towel → rinse → shampoo → rinse → soap → rinse → dry). Keep the same order every time.
💇 Hair Care (Detangling & Haircuts)
For detangling, use a gentle brush and a fine-mist spray bottle with a lightweight detangler or leave-in. For home haircuts, plan extra time, explain steps beforehand, and offer sensory breaks.
For Detangling / Styling
- Wet Brush / detangling brush — fun colors and best used on wet hair.
- YS Park 339 Fine Cutting Comb — sturdy, inexpensive, and great for styling or cutting. Comes in fun colors.
- Detangling spray / light leave-in — from the same bundle, Not Your Mother’s Kids Curly Care
- Non-pull hair ties — minimize hair breakage, fun colors, and easy for my 4-year-old to use independently.
- Fine-mist water spray bottle — useful for styling hair, haircuts, misting plants, or even sourdough baking!
For Home Haircuts
- Andis Clipper & Trimmer kit (adjustable guards) — easy to use, affordable, and durable with an adjustable lever for fading.
- Haircutting shears & thinning scissors — if your child moves a lot, try this rounded-tip option.
- Haircut cape — if a standard cape bothers your child, try a breathable version or a weighted cape.
- Neck duster / soft towel — essentials! The microfiber towels we use are so soft my kids even sleep with them sometimes.
Tip: Try cutting while they watch a favorite show. Familiarize your child with the tools ahead of time, or show videos of other kids getting haircuts to build comfort.
🧼 Deodorant & Personal Care
- Miles Kids Deodorant — aluminum-free, sensitive-skin friendly, and comes in mild scents. Our 11-year-old’s favorite. Smooth stick application, and the scent fades quickly.
- CeraVe Unscented Lotion — dermatologist and allergist-approved for face, body, and hands. We’ve used it for years.
- Diaper cream — heals and soothes diaper rash quickly.
- Korean sunscreen — goes on smoothly without stickiness or residue. Everyone in our family uses it. (This link goes to the Amazon Beauty of Joseon storefront. The rice + probiotic sunscreen often goes out of stock, so you may have to check intermittently. I also find it on YesStyle, and sometimes even on sale!)
Tip: We group deodorant with our bathroom routine (teeth, hair, deodorant) morning and night for consistency.
🛏️ Incontinence & Nighttime Support
Waterproof layers make cleanup simple and reduce stress. Washable options like Peejamas or reusable bed pads can feel softer and save money long-term.
- Waterproof mattress protector — we double-layer all beds for quick middle-of-the-night changes. Just strip the top layer and everyone goes back to sleep.
- Reusable bed pads (machine-washable) — soft, non-crunchy, highly absorbent, and budget-friendly. We even bring them when traveling.
- Peejamas (absorbent sleepwear) — great for heavy wetters, though we’ve since switched mostly to pads since they work so well.
Tip: Layer “protector → sheet → pad” for quick swaps during the night.
⏱️ Visuals, Timers & Independence Tools
- Visual routine charts (bathroom, teeth, hair) — download my free Morning Routine Checklist and customize for other parts of your day!
- First-Then cards for sequencing — Coming soon!
- Visual timer (countdown) — my favorite large magnetic timer. Smaller ones often have fold-out legs.
Tip: Keep visuals at eye level, laminate if possible, and let kids check items off or move them to the “done” column for a sense of control.
Want a calmer morning rhythm?
Grab my free Morning Routine Checklist for Neurodivergent Kids.