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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

SN-friendly Hairdressers

12 replies

MiladyDeSummer · 26/08/2010 13:59

The owner of the place I go to has an autistic nephew. I was talking to him about DS and he has agreed to meet with the LEA specialist teacher, let her take photos of the place and basically let DS get used to the salon gradually.

What we've been doing until now is taking him on the rounds of every place in the area so that no one poor hairdresser has been traumatised anew by the horror involved in cutting DS' hair

I know that some people here have had awful experiences with unsympathetic hairdressers too

Is there a charity or organisation which recognises the efforts people make when they are helpful? If not then there should be. I'm not sure how, maybe in the form of a certificate or credential since it's such a problem for so many families.

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 26/08/2010 14:02

my hairdresser has a special needs son - so would be sympathetic to needs.

I known my friend uses clippers on her sn son and he just has a shortish cut each time...

sorry no knowledge of charity or organisation.

But couls soemone do "talks" at colleges where hairdressing is taught as this would ocver day teaching where apprentices coem to college - just an idea?

Pixel · 26/08/2010 14:31

Does he go to a special school, if so could you ask some of the other parents who they use? Or if not, ring your local special school and explain and ask if they have any advice about how to find someone suitable? They are usually a helpful lot .

I'm lucky as my hairdresser is very understanding of ds even though she has no direct experience of SN herself,(she is very quick to put judgy people right even though they are her customers, I think I love her ). She was the one who made the suggestion that we pop in whenever we are passing so that ds can get used to the place without always having the trauma of a haircut. He still doesn't like having the actual cut (although he is a lot better than he was) but he now goes in the door quite happily and is more relaxed generally in the environment. It has taken a lot of time and patience so I can see how going to a different place each time isn't exactly helping your ds. I'm sure if your hairdresser is going to let you do a similar thing and get your ds used to the place gradually you will see an improvement. I find the big jar of lollies that are kept on the shelf in reception helps a bit as well!

Pixel · 26/08/2010 14:32

IvyKaty, my hairdresser won't use the clippers on ds as he struggles so much she is too worried about what would happen if she only managed to get half of him done .

Original poster

MiladyDeSummer · 26/08/2010 14:50

DS is only three so isn't at any school yet. He gets so distressed that he has to be held by two adults with the poor person snipping where he can. So it's never right around the ears or the back of the neck which is a shame because he's a handsome little chap and it marks him as unusual.

He cries and screams so when the hair is cut it sticks to his face in the tears and gets rubbed into his eyes. I have to hold back the tears myself. Then when it's finished he's fine within seconds whereas I'm a wretched sodden heap of a woman...

LOL at only half of him. That'll be DS coming out with an accidental Mohican

OP posts:

Pixel · 26/08/2010 19:42

Sounds exactly like ds, he hates the hair falling on his face or having his neck touched. I have to take a change of clothes for him as he gets so hot and sticky with all the crying. BUT, he really is much better now, which is a good thing because he is 10 now and really a struggle for me to hold on to. We have all ended up on the floor together before now but the hairdresser still managed to finish a really neat cut. I was very impressed! (and exhausted ).
I had a quick look at your profile and see you are in the south. If you are anywhere near Brighton I'm sure my hairdresser wouldn't mind if I gave you her name.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 26/08/2010 19:47

Ds1 has his hair cut at school :) she visits about every six weeks & we can choose to just send in money and instructions.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 26/08/2010 19:49

When ds1 was little he used to go somewhere where he could take a video to play. He was so obsessed with the teletubbies that could work.

Spinkle · 26/08/2010 20:14

I cut my ds' - when he's not looking. Takes about a week to do it all.

He looks a bit strange on the inbetween days..

Happily he has pretty thick and coarse hair and so mistakes are easy to hide - though I think I'm improving!!!

The problem I find with hairdressers is that they talk to my ds. That pushes him over the edge - busy shop, mirrors and then someone talking to him is too much...

Kurly · 26/08/2010 20:26

I have a hairdresser that comes to our home. She is great and ds watches his favourite tv programme as she does it. No mirrors, no talking and best of all for me no explaining!!!

sugarcandymonster · 26/08/2010 20:35

I was going to suggest mobile hairdressers too My mum has someone come to her home (she's not autistic, just finds it more convenient as he'll do evening visits).

DS has never been to a hairdresser - my dad does it. It might have to change when he's a teenager and wants something trendier than short back and sides.

Original poster

MiladyDeSummer · 26/08/2010 21:58

Sadly not near Brighton Pixel but thanks

Mobile hairdresser might work, I'll look into it, good point about talking Sprinkle I'll add silence to the plan!

OP posts:

3Trees · 26/08/2010 22:27

DS HATES having his hair cut, and screams and fights whenever i take him.

However, the lady I take him to is so lovely, and he is getting beter (VERY slowly) it's always the same lady, she always lets him talk to and stroke her small dog (it's a real, actual pet)first and afterwards and always also gives him a small treat (a sticker, or something) afterwards.

She talks to him throughout, even when he is screaming, in a calm, and pleasant way, as if he has a right to be upset, and it's really no big deal to her.

She also chats to him for a while before hand, and allows him to watch other customers too, last time she even let him try out the shower in the hair washing sink, he wanted to see how it worked.

She is well worht the massive I give her every time (the cut is less than £7, so I personally think she earns the extra with how lovely she is to him!)

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