How can you connect this new skill to the student’s priorities? How can you assure ownership by making the development of this skill the student’s goal rather than just your goal for the student?
Inappropriate hygiene can really be a turn off to potential employers. Getting hired will be extremely difficult with poor grooming and hygiene. If getting a job is a priority for the student, making this connection for them should help prioritize this skill. When helping the student make the connection, write it out for them as concretely as possible, perhaps using a social narrative. Understanding the importance of this skill should motivate the student. If the student is not motivated by employment at this point, consider other priorities – does the student want to date someone? Does he or she want to make more friends?
Because this skill is based in the home, involvement of family or other in-home supporters must be considered. You are encouraged to share this topic and the tools described withthose supporters to find a way for them to support the practice process. Will the student agree to reorganization of his bathroom, closet or dresser? Will the student agree to review with someone in the home after completion of the routines? Can you connect these in-home adjustments to the student’s motivation?
As you introduce this skill, how will you incorporate (visually, thematically) the student’s unique interests?
Include the student or other character they really like in a social narrative if you use that approach.
Or, if the student has a favorite character, actor, or even an actual person they know (friend, family member, etc.), show two pictures of them- One a “sloppy” version, and another a “neat” version. Discuss which version is going to have more success with the hiring process and why. If you cannot find images of neat and sloppy characters, draw them or have the student draw them to increase their involvement.
Priming is a form of negotiation that can reframe and sharpen a student’s assessment of self. Below are the self-assessment tools that align with this intervention topic:
"Interviewing – Before the Interview"
Interspersal is a proven technique involving the presentation of familiar, higher success tasks with the new, more challenging task. When it is appropriate, are you varying the activities to maintain the student’s confidence and focus?
Before the student encounters a situation where he will need to perform this skill, how do you (and those in the home) help the student prepare?
Do a trial run…or many trial runs. How can the family support this practice? What will the student accept? Practice hygiene routines daily in advance. Select and lay out clothes the night before. Or, select outfits for each day of the week in advance so that the student knows what to wear each day for school/work.