Oh wise people - help me cut DS's nails.

[Voidka]

In the last month DS has gone into sensory mode again - sensory seeking but also getting really distressed by other senses. Mainly getting in the bath (last time we tried it was like someone was murdering him) and cutting his nails. I need to cut them as he had eczema and he scratches so much.

He is 5 and has ASD and LD - bribery/distraction doesnt work. DH and I tried pinning him down which was horrific and achieved nothing. Last night I tried to do it in his sleep - I got one done but then he woke up and was awake for 3 hours after.

Is there a magical solution? :o.

marking my place... DD has talons that would make an eagle right now

i read recently that if you put pressure on the base of the nail, so sort of squeeze the finger momentarily, it renders the finger-tip numb...have you tried this?

I don't know if he would be able to manage them but would it be worth trying to get him to use nail clippers himself? Less threatening if he feels in control but it might be tricky for him to coordinate the clicky movement. Another idea might be to use an emery board to smooth the edges down so less sharp.

Ds finds bathing, hair washing, nail cutting, teeth brushing, getting dressed etc really distressing.

Baths we have set days that he has to have a bath and hairwash, 3 times a week for bath and once a week for hairwash, not ideal, but better than none! We used to use a visual timetable, but have now gradually got rid of them. I also used to use timers.

Nail cutting i let him know in advance, that Wednesday while in the bath, he will have his nails cut (not every week) he then chooses which nail i cut first, we have lots of 'ouch' and 'youre hurting me' and pulling away, but we do get them done without a screaming fit. I also use a countdown while cutting them, so he knows it will feel uncomfortable for a bit, but it will end, so 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 finished for each nail.

Hope that is of some help to you

I do Ds2s nails when he is alseep. I even have a head torch so that I can see in the dark!

I second the doing when asleep. Works for getting splinters out too.

Asleep doesn't work for DS !! Cutting nails is like wresteling with a badger!!!

It is just possible now - DH holds him tight and I do the cutting as DD blows lots of bubbles (his favorite thing in the world) and this helps take the edge off.

OT told me to do them at same time every day in same place and to do one nail every day so it would become less threatening and more everyday.

Do a few every day... Even better let him do it himself with clippers if old enough (7 ish). Don't let them get long (ds says the worse thing is how the skin feels after if they've been left to get very long and then cut). I would recommend building it into his routine ... Maybe after teeth or summatt
Good luck !

I use a combination of bribary, getting him to watch his favourite cartoons and not look at his hands while I'm doing it, begging and pleading, and letting him cut my nails first...when I use all of these together he sometimes lets me cut his nails, but then wont touch anything for a few hours because he hates the feeling and I need to do everything for him.

His toe nails are a whole other story and don't even get me started on hair cuts!