Preparing Children with Autism for Haircuts
The noise of the crowd, the sight of the clippers, having someone touching your head - these may overwhelm the senses and cause children with sensory processing disorders such as autism to react negatively. More often than not, individuals on the autism spectrum find the experience of getting a haircut to be a sensory overload. There a few salons that are accommodating to the sensitives that children on the autism spectrum have, please contact us on our Autism Help Hotline to find one in your area.
For parents preparing their child for a haircut, we have compiled a list of tips for before, during and after the experience.
Before the Haircut:
One of the ways to make your child comfortable with receiving a haircut is preparing before the day. Visit the place where the haircut will take place and ask if you can look around the shop. This allows them to become familiar with the environment.
Meet the person who will be performing the haircut, allowing them to become comfortable with the person.
Create a storybook that has pictures of a child receiving a haircut. This story can be told in steps to help your child understand what to expect upon entering the establishment. There are also videos that can be watched before going to the salon, such as this sing-along lesson.
Speak with the hairdresser before the haircut. This could consist of going over the plan of how the haircut will be done and making sure that the instruments used are the least noisy ones possible.
Mark the calendar with a haircut symbol, allowing them to know when the day for the haircut is coming.
If they will have their hair washed, ask the hairdresser if they can use the products that you use at home, offering comfort with familiarity.
If the hairdresser approves, allow your child to be apart of the process by performing little activities such as helping to wash their hair. It is important to find a hairdresser who is understanding and accommodating to their needs - someone flexible can make a huge difference.
During the Haircut:
While your child is getting their haircut, provide them with a distraction. This could be playing with their favorite toys, having a conversation with them about something they love, or watching their favorite show. This allows your them focus to be redirected and concentrate less on the haircut.
Have a sensory toolkit that has everything your they needs that calms them. This could include a weighted blanket, their favorite comfort item, or anything that provides them with security and calmness.
If your child is starting to become overwhelmed and uncomfortable, take a break. This could be walking around outside or providing them with quiet time to relax.
After the Haircut:
Once the haircut is done, reward your child. This could be taking them to their favorite place, getting them a tasty treat, or doing something they love.
Speak to your them about the experience - try to find out what they liked and disliked during the haircut. This would allow you to change or incorporate different things that could make them more comfortable in the future.
The main tip is listening to your child as everyone responds differently to new experiences. The most important thing is to make sure your child is comfortable and safe.