Task Analysis of Handwashing
Health and Personal Hygiene Lesson Plan for Special Education
Aug 30, 2009
Children at all levels of ability should learn to wash their hands effectively and frequently, to maintain their hygiene and personal health. However, students with autism and other developmental disabilities often have difficulty learning all steps of this procedure. The following two lesson plans teach children, who know how to turn water on and off, how to control the water temperature and then complete the procedure of washing their hands.
Learning to Regulate Water Temperature
Aim: Student will practice good hygiene habits.
Objective: Student will regulate water temperature independently.
Materials for Handwashing
- Sink
- Faucet: color code red for hot, blue for cold
- Visual schedule for handwashing
- Visual cues (pointer)
- Puppet
Motivation for Students During Task
Have student select reinforcing item or activity from Choice Chart. Tell student: “We’re going to make the water warm. First we make the water warm, then you can have (item selected). (Student), what are you working for?”
Hand Washing Lesson Procedure
Instruct student, using visual supports, modeling with puppet:
- "Turn on cold water."
- "Turn on hot water."
- "Fix it so it's warm."
Adaptations for Individual Student Needs
Red color code on hot knob, blue color code on cold knob. Student may need to be blocked from turning water up to the point where it splashes. Have barometer visual so that he/she can be cued to the “just right” amount of water.
Follow up: Send written instructions on this/her lesson to parents, so they can reinforce at home.
Lesson to Teach Washing and Drying Hands Independently
Aim: Student will practice good hygiene habits.
Objective: Student will wash and dry hands independently.
Materials for the Task
- Sink
- Faucet: color code red for hot, blue for cold
- Visual schedule for handwashing
- Visual cues (pointer)
- Puppet
Motivation for Students Performing Task
Have student select reinforcing item or activity from Choice Chart. Tell student: “We’re going to wash and dry our hands. First we wash and dry our hands, then you can have (item selected). (Student), what are you working for?”
Independent Hand Washing Lesson Procedure
- Demonstrate process of washing hands.
- Instruct student, using visual supports: “(Student), wash your hands.”
- If the student is unable to do the assigned task, physically assist him/her through the following steps:
- Turn on faucets until the water is warm
- Wet hands with water
- Depress soap dispenser and make a lather.
- Replace the soap and rub hands together. Be sure to include the back of the hands and between the fingers.
- Put hands under running water and rinse. Make sure all soap is gone.
- Turn off the faucet and practice drying the hands utilizing paper towels
- Throw towels away.
- Provide as much assistance as necessary. By the time the student is completing all steps independently, only say, “(Student) wash your hands.”
Adaptations for Individual Student Needs
Red color code on hot knob, blue color code on cold knob. Student will most likely need to be blocked from turning water up to the point where it splashes. Have barometer visual so that he can be cued to the “just right” amount of water.
Follow up to Ensure Generalization of Skills
Send written instructions on this/her lesson to parents, so they can reinforce at home.
Collaboration With Personnel
Speech teacher will provide visual cues, and develop a song to reinforce the action of handwashing for Student. Occupational therapist will make sure that student is practicing the actions correctly, and has the necessary fine motor skills in order to effectively perform skills (e.g. cleaning between fingers). Physical therapist will make sure that student has the gross motor skills to demonstrate the skill effectively (soaping hands and managing water). Paraprofessional will monitor continued performance from student in the bathroom, making sure he/she doesn’t drift back to earlier performance.
Direction for Future Hygiene Lessons
A student's personal hygiene is one of the most important qualities they can demonstrate to the outside world regarding their ability to manage their care and resources effectively. Once students can wash their hands independently, they can then start to make sure they perform this task before meals, after being on the playground, and after playing with materials such as play-doh or glitter.
An additional article on this subject may be found at "Handwashing in a Special Education Classroom."
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