Changing My Hairstyle

Getting a haircut on a regular basis is important to keep hair manageable and looking great. If your child is autistic, taking them to get their first haircut needs to be a well-planned process. A hair salon can be a bit overwhelming for an autistic child because there are so many different things going on at the same time. The following guide walks you through a few tips for making your child's first visit to the hair salon as easy as possible.

Find a Stylist with Experience

The first thing you want to do is to find a stylist who has experience working with autistic children. These stylists will understand your unique situation and be prepared to work with your child to make sure that they are comfortable during the entire appointment. They will need to be patient, kind, and highly skilled because your child may fidget during the appointment. 

Explain the Situation to Your Child

Before you even step foot in the salon, take the time to explain what is going to happen to him or her. You may want to show them videos of people getting their hair cut so that your child will know what to expect when they go to the salon. Knowing what is going to happen may help them to feel more comfortable with the experience.

Bring a Fidget Toy with Your Child

You want to be sure that your child does not try to grab the scissors or move too much when they are getting their hair cut because it could create a dangerous situation. Bring a fidget toy with you that your child can focus on while they are getting their hair cut. A tablet with their favorite games, a manipulative toy, or even a coloring book and crayons can be great fidget toys.

Make Sure Your Child Is Comfortable

Be sure that your child is comfortable before the stylist starts to cut their hair. Some children are afraid of the stylist chair and need to sit in a smaller chair or even on the floor to feel comfortable. The more comfortable your child feels the quicker the appointment will go.

If you follow all of these tips, your child's first haircut should go smoothly. If your child starts to feel scared or nervous, be sure to stop the appointment to ease their anxiety before continuing. You will need to get your child's hair cut on a regular basis so you need to be sure the overall experience is a good one so that he or she will be comfortable coming back in the future.  

For further assistance, contact a local salon, such as Nu Waves Salon & Day Spa.