Nose picking is a common habit among children, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While it may seem harmless, excessive nose picking can lead to discomfort, infections, and social embarrassment. If your child, including those with autism, has a habit of picking their nose, implementing certain strategies can help them break this habit. In this article, we will discuss ten steps to help your child, including those with autism, stop picking their nose.1. Understand the Triggers: Observe and identify the triggers that lead to nose picking in your child. It could be boredom, anxiety, or even allergies. Understanding the triggers can help you address the underlying cause. Justin’s triggers are his allergies. He also developed an addiction to nose spray that took forever to get past.2. Teach Proper Hygiene: Educate your child about the importance of maintaining good hygiene and explain why nose picking is not a healthy habit. Teach them to use tissues or handkerchiefs to blow their nose instead.3. Provide Alternatives: Offer alternative activities that can keep your child’s hands busy, such as playing with fidget toys, squeezing stress balls, or engaging in arts and crafts. Redirecting their attention can help reduce the urge to pick their nose.4. Keep Hands Occupied: Encourage your child to engage in activities that require the use of their hands, such as drawing, playing with building blocks, or playing a musical instrument. Keeping their hands occupied can help distract them from nose picking.5. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear rules and boundaries regarding nose picking. Explain to your child that it is not acceptable behavior and establish consequences for breaking the rules.6. Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward your child when they refrain from nose picking. Positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise, small rewards, or a sticker chart, can motivate them to break the habit.7. Provide Sensory Alternatives: If your child engages in nose picking due to sensory seeking behavior, provide alternative sensory activities that fulfill their sensory needs. This could include playing with textured toys, using a sensory brush, or engaging in deep pressure activities.8. Address Underlying Issues: If nose picking persists despite your efforts, consult with a healthcare professional or therapist who specializes in working with children with autism. They can help identify any underlying issues or sensory processing difficulties that may be contributing to the habit.9. Create a Visual Reminder: Create a visual reminder, such as a poster or a picture, that reminds your child not to pick their nose. Place it in a Place they will see every day.10. Last but not least if all else fails choose a safe picking zone and timer. In their room 3 minutes. Any where else you see them doing it a gentle reminder that it’s a no picking zone will work. Trust me in this one with all Justin’s allergies not doing it is not an option and this one really works for us.
Ten Steps to Help Your Child Stop Picking Their Nose
