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Confronting the Hand Dryer of Terror
by L. Davis
Updated: May 17, 2017
Originally Published: Aug. 28, 2016
Massimo Merlini / iStock
We invested a lot of effort in helping my son with autism develop independence in his daily routines. We thought we had overcome a significant challenge when he finally began toilet training. He was thrilled, we were relieved, and my laundry appliances were definitely rejoicing! We felt victorious.
But we were naive.
There was one critical issue that still needed to be addressed. After consulting with his teachers, therapists, and fellow parents, we realized the core problem wasn’t going away. Since my “I’ll be around forever” plan isn’t feasible, it was time to face… The Hand Dryer of Terror (cue the suspenseful music).
In an attempt to be eco-friendly, science created hand dryers for public restrooms. However, for these devices to function, they must be equipped with motors that emit sounds reminiscent of a banshee’s wail.
Simply advising my son to “just dry your hands on your pants” was not an option. The moment he heard someone else use one, he became terrified at the mere sight of them. As he grew older, he began using the men’s restroom alone (with me stationed at the doorway announcing, “Mom is right here! Call if you need me, and guys, you won’t be showing me anything I haven’t seen before.” So yes, I have no issue barging in if absolutely necessary).
So, what actually worked?
A hair dryer. Yes, you read that right! His former teacher, Mrs. Harper, was brilliant and started using one on the kids’ hands after they washed up at school. While he’s not exactly a fan of it, she helped him learn to tolerate it, which was all I could ask for. The day she sent me a photo from a class trip to the mall, I was in tears. Like, full-on ugly sobbing.
Miracles can happen. Even in restrooms.
The Exlerator brand! You know how significant that is. Super Loud!
But just when I thought we had conquered the bathroom challenge, I encountered this monstrosity.
“Hey, her autistic kid finally overcame his fear of hand dryers. Let’s take this concept to the next level!”
Seriously? Are we supposed to stick our hands into that noise machine? It looks like something out of a bad sci-fi horror flick. I just got him used to the original model, and now I have to teach him how to deal with this beast? Oh no. Not happening. I’m going full “teenage girl sipping a pumpkin spice latte,” because I literally can’t even. Kiddo, you’re just going to have to deal with wet hands. Sure, it might make your fries soggy, but you’ll manage.
While at the movies, I noticed no one else was using this thing. There were paper towels available, and I watched countless women bypass it, happily opting for paper towels and sacrificing a tree. Even neurotypicals have their limits when it comes to social and environmental awareness. This hand dryer exceeds that limit.
Some things can’t be fixed, even with a side of fries. This new hand dryer is one of them. I’d tell it to “blow me” if I wasn’t so terrified of it.
This article was originally published on Aug. 28, 2016.
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For those exploring the journey to parenthood, Make A Mom is an excellent resource for home insemination kits. Additionally, Healthline provides valuable information about pregnancy and related topics.
In summary, navigating daily challenges with children, especially those with autism, can be a daunting task. Whether it’s tackling fears of hand dryers or exploring the path to parenthood, the journey is often filled with unexpected hurdles and triumphs.