Just after cutting sons hair, i feel like screaming.

[2mum]

How long will it be like this for? I know hes only 3 but he doesnt understand what im doing and he gets very upset. I use shearers on him and difficult is not the word as he pushes and crys and wont let me do it. I cant take him to a hairdressers as theres no way he would sit for a haircut. So ive been cutting it myself and trying to cut it regularly so hes used to it. It upsets me to see him like this and i always feel a nervous wreck afterwards. Anyone any tips or experience of this, i would appreciate it?

Hi ya 2Mum, saw your message and just had to reply as I know exactly what you are going through - my son was exactly the same as this at 3 years old, he is autistic and has sensory issues so to him, it felt like we were really hurting him. A year later, he is now amazing, we got into a routine of strapping him in his car seat (in the house) so he couldn't move around and did some head sensory exercises from OT for weeks, now he gets in and has his hair cut without a wimper - total transformation. Have you got a diagnosis - do you get OT. Demand it!!!! My Email is [email protected] if you want to chat XXXX
Nikki
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Hi Jakejem thanks for the message. His diagnosis is autistic spectrum disorder and global development delay. He was diagnosed early this year. Hes had an ot asessment but hasnt had any ot yet. Hes just started a special school last month. I didnt even know there were head exercises you can do. Im learning something new all the time on mumsnet! I actually cut his hair in his baby highchair, he still likes sitting in it and theres plenty of room in it so i cut his hair in it too.

Oh, I have so much sympathy for you. It is such a horrible thing to deal with. My ds is NT but used to go totaly wild when he had his hair cut. It used to take three adults to do it, we would normaly all end up covered in hair and ds would usualy top the whole thing off by vomiting

We found that a video being on helped ds. My friend used to come to the house to do it.

Oh this brings back many memories of my son and the experiences with getting his hair cut (suffice to say it was awful for all concerned. He hated the scissors and fidgeted incessantly. air. I gave that particular job to my DH in the end, its only within the last two years that's he's become okay about having his hair cut (so I take him now).

As we live quite near London it was eventually decided that we take DS to the childrens hairdressers in Harrods after speaking wih them. Worked a treat (they were very used to dealing with children who fidgetted and bit them) and it didn't cost a great deal more than a haircut done locally.