Haircuts And Special Needs Children

Haircuts and special needs children do not always mix.

For many parents of children with Autism, getting their haircut can be a traumatic experience for them and their child.

It is a task that needs to be done but the thought of it fill us parents with dread!

Here's our top 10 tips.....

If you have any tips or stories which may help others please share them on our blog or Facebook page.

HAIRCUTS AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN - 10 TIPS FOR GETTING THROUGH IT!

Find an understanding hairdresser

Whether having your child’s hair cut at home or at a barbers or salon, talk to the hairdresser beforehand about your child. Explain their condition and how they may react. You may want to provide them with some information and give them some suggestions on how to handle certain situations. For example: speaking calmly and using short simple sentences.

Introduce your child gradually to the hairdresser

Visit the salon and let them watch someone they know (a sibling, friend or parent) having a haircut.

Prepare your child for the haircut by marking it on the calendar with a haircut symbol so they know when it is coming

Try to visit at a quiet time of day when you are unlikely to have to wait too long. Book an appointment explaining to the hairdresser that missing the allotted time could have consequences!

Use a timer at the start of the cut so your child knows how long it is going to last

Use social stories to explain about haircuts and to prepare for the visit to the hairdresser

Many children with autism are very sensitive to the noise of clippers.

Either ask the hairdresser to use scissors only and/or use earplugs to block out some of the noise. You could play your child’s favourite music or stories to distract them and block out some of the background noise.

Fidget toys may also be useful to keep your child occupied during the haircut

A favourite toy may provide some comfort and keep them distracted.

A weighted lap pad, jacket or hug vest could be used to keep them calm and reduce anxiety whilst in the barber’s chair

If your child is having their hair washed, ask the hairdresser not to use a strongly scented shampoo

Taking your own shampoo, which will smell familiar to your child may be better. You could ask the hairdresser to use the water spray to dampen the hair, turning this into a fun activity for your child.