The Haircut

 

Today we will explore… The dreaded haircut.

 

To the neurotypical individual a haircut can be relaxing and helps us feel refreshed. To some individuals on the spectrum a haircut is pure torture. And I get it, the clippers make noises, scissors make noises, there’s a ton of different sensations that come along with getting your hair cut or trimmed.

Haircuts have always been a sore spot for Ryan. We usually have to enlist extra help when giving Ryan a haircut. So of course, I have searched for the most haircut friendly tips for those on the spectrum.

 

The last haircut I gave Ryan went significantly better. I owe it all to scissors. Now, I still had to be careful, BUT I trimmed his hair down with scissors first, took like a 10-minute break… for him and for me. And then utilized the clippers. But even since then I have located an autism haircut kit on Amazon that I am dying to try. Just look up Autism safety hair scissors and it’s the calming clipper kit. Like I said I haven’t tried it yet, but I plan too.

 

Also look in your area because there are more and more Autism friendly barbers popping up. I know in Fort Wayne, Indiana there is a Sensory cuts place that has good reviews.

Unfortunately, that is nowhere near me.

 Ryan doesn’t sit in a chair for a haircut either, I have to follow him around the house, lay on the floor, and do all kinds of unique positions while giving him a haircut. And he’s been known to lash out during these times. I’ve been kicked, smacked, and punched. If you see me with a fat lip, well it may have been haircut day…. Mind your business. Lol.

 But I understand that haircuts are extremely hard because it’s a lot going on, and this puts him into sensory overload.

 

Ryan and his laptop

So, some haircut tips I can provide are:

·       1.   Take a lot of breaks, yes, I bet you want to get that haircut done, my patience is not the greatest either. But you and your child will need to take breaks.

 

·         2. Try not to force them to stay in a chair, let them do their thing while you try to do yours. Lol.

 

·         3. Count to 10 while trimming and take you break after the 10. This way your child will learn that there will be a break and it might help lessen their anxiety.

 

·        4.  Use sound and visual devices to help distract them, put on a favorite song or movie.

 

·         5. Earplugs or noise cancelling headphones

 

·        6.  Walk through the haircut process with them before the haircut and watch videos of haircuts.

 

·       7.   Remember that all kids are different, what may work for someone else’s kid, may not work for yours. But these are some good places to start.

 

 And reach out to other Autism parents or support groups because you may even find more resources or more ideas. I try to reach out to those that have older kids on the spectrum because, they have obviously been doing this longer than I have and they may have even more ideas and resources. And I am always open to advice. We all need to be, that’s the only way we are going to advocate and assist our children... AND the world in becoming a more autism friendly place.