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Here's a funny story
Bag Books do a funny multi-sensory story about going to the hairdressers which might lighten the mood for haircut-phobics. Bag Books
'Visiting' the hairdressers
I've found that taking my daughter to the hairdressers when she is not having her hair cut helps her see it's not always scary. I take her when I'm having a cut or her younger brother is too.
A window seat
My son is very sensitive to hair cutting, but sitting him in the shop window to watch the traffic makes him slightly more tolerant. Still a few wiggles and bolts for the door, but much better.
Taking the stress out a haircut
I take my son's ipad to the barber's and put his favourite clips on it to distract him, while the barber cuts his hair at the speed of light.
Brushing hair
We find it really hard to brush Magdalena's hair, but she cries much less if we brush a member of the family's hair at the same time as her hair is being brushed.
Do it at home...
Some people cope with hair cuts much better if it's done at home. Ask around for recommendations, ask your local barber/hairdresser, or try the mobile hairdressers in the 'phone book (You can always try another one next time if your first choice proves hopeless...)
Short and tangle free
Florence hated having her hair combed because she got lots of tangles and it hurt. We changed her hair style to a shorter one which she helped to choose - forget your dream of ringlets for now!
Tangle free conditioner
Suzie has very thick hair. I towel dry her hair and leave in conditioner. This makes it easier to brush with a squirt of water.
Sensory issues
For some one with sensory defensiveness, hair brushing can be an awful ordeal. For some, it feels as though every hair-root is being pulled tightly and inflaming a nerve. The sensation’s not much less if they brush their own hair. The best thing is to keep it short.
Wash it at home
Julie hates having her hair washed at the hairdressers. We just ask for a dry cut or just wet her hair with a plant spray.
Stress toys
When we go to the hairdresser we always take along stress toys / favourite books or DVD player.
Sensitive to noise
Callum is sensitive to noise, we find soft flexible ear plugs cut out the noise of the hair cutting machine.
Blow the bits away
Becky is very sensitive, so when she has her hair cut, we remove all cuttings by using a hair dryer to remove it as we go. Becky likes the cold air setting.
See for yourself
JB is much better when he can see what is going on. We bought a non breakable mirror from one of the catalogues.
Photo cue
I show Billy a picture of the actual Barber shop and a picture of the Barber who will be cutting his hair, we are lucky and have a fantastic accommodating barber.
No surprises
We took Ben into the Barber shop just for a visit (several times) to see other children having a hair cut and to see what equipment the barber uses.
Get the time right...
Go to the Barber shop at the quietest times, so there is less time to queue. There is also the added bonus of less 'people noise' at these quiet times. As our barber became more of a friend and he could see how distressed Pete was, he suggested we came back once he had closed the Barber shop for the day, so it would be just us in the shop.
Hair free top to go
I take a fresh top for Wendy to change into as soon as her hair is cut – it lessens the 'itchy feeling'.
Speed and pressure
We experimented with different speeds and pressures and quickly found out that Lizzie could tolerate slow and firm strokes so much better that light quick strokes which made her run away.
Easy cutting
A good time to cut nails is straight after a bath when the nails are nice and soft.
Take the focus off
Try distraction techniques: a book to read aloud from, a handheld electronic game or something he can hold to look at and fiddle with, anything to distract Simon’s attention from his feet!
Make it fun!
With girls especially you can turn nail cutting into a manicure session; use bright nail varnish, do a hand massage.
You do it first
I let Hailey watch me cut someone else's nails, so she could feel comfortable with it.
While he sleeps
I cut Ricky’s nails in the middle of the night wearing a head torch which I bought from a camping shop.
Round ended scissors
Nail cutting can be hard with wriggly, angry, squirmy people. I use round ended scissors which you can buy at most chemists.
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