Boys have cooties? How to handle a germaphobe?

Question

My 8 year old little girl has high functioning autism. Which might have a little bit to do with the situation. We have a roommate who has a little boy. She refuses to sit in chairs he has sat in. If her shirt touches an article of clothing of his..she refuses to wear that shirt. She also refuses to eat out a bowl that he has previously eaten from..same goes with cups. Can anything be done about this? I know that there is rivalry, and he is special needs as well. This has been going on for about a month. Thanks.

Answer 1

This may seem to simple - What about cooty spray? I know it sounds so stupid, but I remember being a kid and pretending I sprayed things after a boy sat in it with "cooty spray" to kill the boy cooties.

I have no idea if this will work for your daughter, but it might be a simple solution. Hopefully one that can't hurt?

Answer 2

Maybe you should make the little boy come and talk to her and make sure she doesnt run away and then she will realizew that he is nice and not a cootie boy or a monster..

Answer 3

LOL that's just 8 year olds she will grow out of it just tell her soap and water gets rid of cooties

Answer 4

Autism or not- you have to put an end to that kind of behavior.  First, show how the dishwasher kills bacteria on dishes and the clothes get clean in the washer.  But after that- don't let it go on!  You know this already if you've had an autistic child for eight years.