How ABA May Support Doing Laundry

Choose useful laundry steps

Ask whether the person wants to wash a favorite outfit, manage work clothes, sort colors, set a reminder, fold selected items, or put clothing away. Define whose clothing is included and preserve privacy around personal items.

Make machines and information accessible

Add tactile or visual markers only with household approval. Provide readable care labels, measured products, reachable baskets, stable seating, a transfer tool, timer, and backup when the machine or app changes. Record which controls remain inaccessible.

Set chemical and equipment boundaries

CPSC's poison-prevention page warns caregivers to store laundry packets in their original containers and outside children's sight and reach. Build person-specific controls for detergent, bleach, hot surfaces, water, lifting, machine access, and any supervision need.

Protect choice and communication

The CASP public summary supports individualized goals. The Ethics Code addresses dignity, client involvement, assent when applicable, risk, and evaluation. ASHA supports AAC access during household routines.

A practical example

Mina chooses seven loads of her own clothing. Supplies, labels, machine access, and a timer are ready for 6/7. Mina completes the selected wash and transfer steps in 5/6 and requests help with one heavy load. Report access and chosen help separately.

Questions families can use

Whose clothes and preferences guide the task? Which steps matter? Are controls and labels accessible? What chemical, heat, water, or lifting limits apply? Can the person ask for help? How are machine failures counted?