Keeping hands clean

One thing, I have learned by having a child with a genetic disorder is to brake paradigms. We are not afraid to let him try, after all, he is just a child regardless the syndrome.

We taught Tommy to use the hand sanitizer when he was about 18 month. Why so early? Because he has a greatest risk to have colds more often than typical kids, which can result in otitis media (ear infection) that can result in temporary hearing lost. Hearing is fundamental for language development. Therefore, we taught him the earlier as possible. Using the hand sanitizer was also the beginning to introduce hand washing, which is the first stage of toilet training.

Accordomg to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands."

Tommy's hand-wash routine

1. Mommy's verbal cue: "Tommy is time to wash your hands". "Let's go to the bathroom."
2. Tommy walks supported by one hand to the bathroom.
3. He climbs the step stools.
4. He opens the faucet.
5. He gets his hands wet and play with the water.
6. Mommy's Verbal Cue: "Tommy let's go put soup on your hands." "Rub, Rub, Your hands."
7. Tommy rubs his hands
8. Mommy's Verbal Cue: "Get your hands wet."
9. Tommy wash his hands with the water.
10. Tommy dries his hands with paper towel
11. Tommy throw the paper towel away in the trash can
12. and he is ready to eat.

We introduced hand-wash to Tommy when he was 23 month and we were afraid to let him climb on the step stool, but we gave him the opportunity to try. We don't know how a kid without the syndrome, at the same age than our son, masters this skill. What we know is that Tommy does it perfect; even although, his gross motors skills are not at the same label of a typical child. Today, we are so proud that our boy masters hand wash. We are not afraid!

Enjoy the video of Tommy washing his hands.