By: Sarah Pope, MS, BCBA, Assistant Vice President of Staff Development
A trip to the hair salon for adults typically includes a relaxing hair wash, an opportunity to catch up on the latest magazines and the wonderful feeling of a fresh, new haircut. However, it is not uncommon for children to be afraid of a haircut and it can be even more traumatic for a child with autism. There is a lot of activity in a hair salon that can be bothersome like the sounds of scissors clicking, hair dryers running, the buzzing of clippers or water in the eyes. Any of these things can increase a child’s hesitation to get a haircut, and can even cause episodes of tantrum type behavior.
To help ensure a stress-free trip to the salon, below are five tips to help your child tolerate getting a haircut.
If these tips are unsuccessful and your child continues to resist a haircut, discuss this with your child’s ABA therapy team. They will understand your child’s particular triggers and can suggest ideas that are customized for your child’s individual needs.