4yo DS (awaiting autism assessment, I believe has SPD too) has always loved water . LOVES the swimming pool, previously loved being in the bath and splashing lots.
Over the last couple of months he’s become very fearful/upset about the bath. Given that it’s autumn and not covering him in sunscreen etc I’ve chosen my battles and only making him bathe twice a week. He’s adamant that the bath be about an inch deep - honestly shallower than my 6 month old baby has a bath.
I’ve tried expensive Lush bath bombs/jellies which he likes but still adamant the bath must be shallow. He screams the place down when I try to wash his hair “please mummy stop”. I really don’t think it’s a battle of wills - it’s true anxiety/distress. The shower is even more upsetting for him than the bath.
he has a lot of sensory issues but then I don’t understand why he’s still in love with the swimming pool if he now hates water. He did say this evening that he’s worried about water going onto the floor incase it “makes the house mouldy” - I’ve previously told him off for splashing water up onto the ceiling incase it makes the ceiling mouldy so maybe this is all my fault.
Do I try to get him to bathe more frequently almost as “exposure therapy” or shall I just accept that he is getting a weekly wash in the swimming pool (half joking)