How to get an autistic child to wear sunscreen

During the summer months, sunscreen and sun protection is important both when you are at home and holidaying in a sunny climate. It can be easy to forget on milder days when there is less sun heat, but sun burn can happen even on a cloudy day. There is a link between childhood sunburn and skin cancer, and to reduce the risk of this developing you need to protect your child from too much sun exposure.

Why don’t children with Autism like applying sunscreen?

If you have an autistic child with sensory issues, sunscreen can be tricky to persuade them to wear. The texture and smell can be overwhelming, and your child might refuse to wear sunscreen. Many Autistic children experience sensory sensitivities which can make some of the sun safety advice given hard to follow. There are ways to keep your child safe from the sun while also taking their sensory needs into consideration. Below are sunscreen tips for a sensory child.

Let them be a part of the decision when buying sunscreen

• Let them play a part in the decision-making when choosing sunscreen. This way they can let you know if they find the smell too overwhelming or the texture too thick.
• If your child is non-verbal or struggles with communicating, consider the texture of the sunscreen – some are oily, some feel wet, some are dry mists. It might be a case of trial and error to find out which one your child feels the most comfortable wearing.
• Sunscreen can be cold to apply, which can be incredibly difficult for children with sensory needs. Consider this when choosing your sunscreen.

 Use sensory friendly sunscreen 

• Try roll on or spray sunscreen. This type of sunscreen is not as thick as traditional pump or squeeze sunscreen, so it will need less rubbing in and may feel lighter on your child’s skin.
• Some sunscreens have a stronger smell than others and is something to consider if your child is sensitive to smells and cannot communicate easily with you.
• If your child is verbal or has good cognitive understanding, create a social story explaining the importance of wearing sunscreen and sun safety so that they understand the risk of sunburn.
• Make applying the sunscreen fun – you could use a brush and draw some shapes on their skin.
• Create a routine so that when you apply sunscreen, they know what to expect. This can help to reduce anxiety and create familiarity and comfort.
• Sunscreen often feels most greasy when it is first applied so try distracting your child with a fun video or game while it soaks in. It should start to feel better once it is fully absorbed.

More ways you can protect  your child from the sun

In addition to wearing sunscreen, there are other things you can do to protect your child from the sun, such as:

• Wearing protective clothing and hats.
• Staying out of the sun from 11am to 2pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Find areas outside with plenty of shade to play in.
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

​​It might take time to find a sun-smart routine and products that work well for your child. Don’t get discouraged if not everything you try works – keep trying new strategies and keep building your child’s understanding of sun safety. Remember everything is trial and error until you find what works for you and your child.