Getting a haircut can be a big deal for children with autism. A trip to a hair stylist or barber can involve:
- New sounds (buzzing clippers or snipping scissors)
- Overstimulating environments (crowded waiting rooms)
- Difficult challenges (having to sit still for an extended time)
Having a plan of action can ease your child into this new situation.
This guide discusses tips and best practices to help you and your child succeed with the haircut. Each child’s needs are different, and these tips are only general best practices; modify these ideas to better support your child’s preferences, routines, and sensory needs. Please speak with your Behavior Analyst to best modify the program for your child.
Consider Your Child’s Preferences & Manage Expectations
Depending on your child’s temperament or response to new experiences, some questions to consider are:
- Does your child enjoy participating in community activities?
- Are new experiences challenging for your child?
- Can routine changes lead to increases in challenging behaviors?
- Do sounds, lights, or busy environments appear to cause your child discomfort?
Depending on the answers, you may need to practice caution and introduce the idea of getting a haircut gently and methodically.
Remember, even with transparency, planning, and advanced communication, the first haircut may be challenging. That’s okay! Finding the best process for your child could look like:
- Seeking a stylist or barber that offers an ASD friendly experience.
- Reading books about getting haircuts.
- Talking about haircuts.
- Practicing a haircut routine at home.
- Multiple visits to the salon.
- Testing various creative or calming strategies.
- Trial and error with vario us approaches.
Dissolve Uncertainty and Fear by Teaching Your Child About the Process
Many aspects of a typical haircut may cause discomfort for children:
- Different hair styling tools including scissors, sprays, and gels
- The sound and sensation of buzzing clippers
- Being required to remain seated and in a specific position for an extended time
- Bright lights and/or upbeat music
- The busy environment
Instead of potentially surprising your child with these overwhelming experiences, try proactively discussing the concepts.
- Show your child videos about haircuts.
- Create a visual board showcasing the steps of a haircut.
- Take your child to see your haircut being done.
- Practice the steps of a haircut.
Practice the Steps & Allow Your Child to Visit the Salon Before Getting a Haircut
Exposing your child to the salon steps in advance can promote stress reduction. You can practice:
- Wearing a cape
- Sitting in a chair
- Wetting the hair
- Brushing the hair
- Seeing scissors and clippers without the physical contact (demonstrating how they work)
Another great tip is to take your child on educational salon trips. These trips allow your child to:
- Witness other children getting haircuts
- Learn more about the equipment
- Get to know their stylist before committing to the experience .
Our autism services in Stamford, CT or our many other markets can offer assistance with these types of community outings.
Reduce Stressors During the Haircut & Reward Your Child
A big way to reduce stressors during a haircut is to seek out a stylist with ASD experience, so your child has a good experience in the first place. Other personalized considerations like using headphones, video distractions, timers, or visual reminders about each step may also help to reduce tension.
Whether your child completes an entire haircut or only gets through the first few steps, the main goal is establishing a positive association with the experience, so try giving them a reward after trying a haircut.
Like our child-led ABA therapy in Columbia, MD, and throughout the Northeast, we believe that the best outcomes in autism therapy begin and end with respect for each child’s unique needs. For other tips and tricks to help your child succeed in the salon, contact our team at Helping Hands Family today!
