As your child with Down syndrome enters puberty, grooming and
hygiene become increasingly important. Your child may need to
learn new habits to stay well groomed. Cleanliness is very
important for proper socialization and acceptance by peers.
Stress the importance of bathing and how good it feels to get
clean and smell good. Pay special attention to helping your
child keep his or her face clean. Establish a routine for the
order of grooming and hygiene-related tasks. For example, start
with brushing teeth, using the bathroom, showering or bathing,
and combing hair. You will also need to help your child with
some occasional grooming tasks, such as clipping nails and
scheduling regular haircuts. Help your child shave as often as
is needed. For girls, this may mean shaving the legs and
underarms. Older boys and young men may need help shaving the
face. Buy deodorant and help your child incorporate its use into
his or her daily After girls start menstruating, help them learn
to use pads or tampons. Discuss how to