I Have Enough Journeys, Sometimes I Just Need the Outcome

by Suchi D

I’ll be honest, I have one of those “smart but resistant” kids, and I kept thinking he’d eventually figure out brushing because it’s a good life lesson.

But between my own cognitive load and how much effort something “simple” actually took, it started to slip.

What I realized (a little too late) is that I was so focused on how he brushed that I lost sight of the outcome: oral health.

5 Things I Wish I Knew About ASD & Oral Health

• Higher health impact: Kids with ASD can be at higher risk of oral infections, which may impact overall health, mood, and energy.
• Sensitivity builds over time: When brushing isn’t established early, the mouth can stay sensitive, making oral care and certain foods harder to tolerate.
• Social confidence matters: Oral hygiene plays a role in everyday interactions, and challenges here can add to existing social barriers.
• Independence is a missed opportunity: Brushing is a foundational self-care skill that builds confidence and a sense of autonomy.
• Routines build skills: Daily habits like brushing support sequencing, consistency, and executive function over time.

At the end of the day, the more effort we put into traditional brushing, the further behind we got. It made our lives harder than it needed to be.

Switching to an automated solution like Willo reduced the effort and improved the outcome. And honestly, that was enough.

Looking back, I should have made the switch sooner.