Effective hand washing is an important step in personal hygiene and management of personal health. When the student has mastered this skill, he/she will be an overall healthier person. When the student goes to wash his/her hands, he/she may push the soap onto the sink, get his/her hands in it, or then perseverate on the water until is redirected, without effectively cleaning his/her hands.
This lesson plan is designed for a student with autism in a 6:1:1 classroom, although it would be appropriate for students with a range of disabilities, or younger children without disabilities.
This lesson addresses NY State Standard 1 for Health.
Goals to Teach Handwashing
Student will wash his/her hands appropriately.
Curriculum Used for Personal Hygiene
This unit is based on the Functional Academic Curriculum for Exceptional Children (F.A.C.E.S).
Performance Indicators for Handwashing
When the student washes his/her hands appropriately and independently, the goals of the unit will be considered fulfilled. Student will be assessed every day for five days following the lesson, then twice a week for two weeks, then once a month to ensure that he/she is continuing to follow each step of the hand washing process appropriately.
Overview of Necessary Skills for Handwashing
- Turn water on and off
- Regulate water temperature
- Wash and dry hands
Teaching Students to Turn Water On and Off
Aim: Student will practice good hygiene habits.
Objective: Student will be able to turn water on and off independently.
Materials:
- sink
- faucet
- visual schedule for handwashing
- visual cues (pointer)
- puppet
Motivation: Have student select reinforcing item or activity from Choice Chart. Tell student: “We’re going to turn the water on and off. First we turn the water on and off, then you can have (item selected). (Student), what are you working for?”
Procedure:
- Instruct student to come to the sink. “Come here, (student).”
- While student is standing at the sink, say, “(student), turn on the water.”
- If no response, place hand over the Student’s hand and turn the faucet on. Reward. Gradually reduce assistance until student performs task independently.
- When student turns on water independently, follow the above procedure for turning off the water. Continue to require student to turn on the water without assistance.
Adaptations: If student attempts to use water fountain to wash his/her hands, he will need to be blocked from using it, and redirected to the faucet. Model with puppet if necessary.
Follow-up: Reward all independent attempts until criterion is met.
Role of Handwashing in Overall Health
With the H1N1 (swine) flu making headlines this year, handwashing has become one of the major steps that students can take to prevent the spread of germs and disease. When students can independently manage the task of washing their own hands, they help move toward independence with their self care skills, which is a goal of special education.
Another article on this topic is "Task Analysis of Handwashing," which addresses the skills of regulating water temperature and developing the complete routine.
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