Autistic Student w/Body Odor

Published

Specializes in Peds, Neuro, Orthopedics.

Hello fellow school nurses,

I've had a request from a teacher to talk about body odor with a teenage student who is autistic. I've seen this student in the health office, so I know he is at a limited level of understanding, kindergarten at best. He does have a strong BO, which seems to come from his feet. I was thinking of just discussing it with grandma (he lives with grandma) and asking if he has fungal issues and ask if she needs toiletries for him to clean as we can donate. I don't think talking to him would be very helpful as I don't think he has the ability to follow-through, even if he does understand. I also suspect the family does not have money to buy new shoes, which actually could be the whole entire problem.

Do you have any advice for how to handle this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult and pediatric emergency and critical care.

If this is a life skill issue then this needs to be addressed by your special education department, and should be included in his IEP. How often is your school reviewing their IEPs and are they including the school nurses as part of that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.
If this is a life skill issue then this needs to be addressed by your special education department, and should be included in his IEP.

This!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

If a new pair of shoes would fix the problem, I would focus my energy on that. Is there a fund for something like this? If it truly is the need for a new pair of shoes, I don't think it is a life skills issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.
If a new pair of shoes would fix the problem, I would focus my energy on that. Is there a fund for something like this? If it truly is the need for a new pair of shoes, I don't think it is a life skills issue.

New sneakers and or socks is probably the answer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School.
New sneakers and or socks is probably the answer!

Yep! Had a young man a few years ago that I started to get calls on about body odor and dirty clothes. This was a student that has had hygiene issues since elementary. Mom even brought a hygiene kit for him (which he never used). Once his Grandfather bought him a new pair of shoes the complaints stopped.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion