It's no secret that I'm a fan of Autism Speaks Family Services' efforts. The first thing you'll find when you visit my blog is a link to their 100 Day Kit, which is an amazing resource for families who have just received that mind-boggling autism diagnosis. They also award community grants to service providers that serve to build the field of services for individuals with autism and expand the capacity to effectively support our community. And then of course they have their School Toolkits and the new Autism in the Workplace initiative as well as the Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism ..... The list of resources goes on and on. If you haven't checked it out recently, seriously, you should.
But their newest initiative is one that is especially near and dear to my heart. So many of our kids with autism have such a tough time going to get their hair cut. Parents and hairstylists bear the battlescars of nightmarish visits to the local salon, which explains why so many of our kids walk around with shaggy (although I think endearingly cute) heads. Personally speaking, I put off haircuts until I can no longer see Jack's beautiful baby blues (or my in-laws are scheduled to visit) and then grit my teeth and take him. It is not, shall we say, a pleasant experience.
The good folks at Autism Speaks (many of them parents of kids with autism themselves) have teamed up with Melmark New England and Snip-its (a haircuttery chain for kids that I'm sure many of you are familiar with) to produce a how-to video and haircutting training guide for our families. The guide even contains a social story that you can share with your child before going to the salon.
You tube
(Pssstt... Take a peek at the video. You might just notice a familiar little boy on your screen.)
For additional information about how to make the haircutting experience a more positive one for children with autism, visit Autism Speaks.
Here's to more good hair days and more peace of mind for all of us. Now go forth and snip!
Newly Diagnosed?
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- Judith U.
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- Texas girl, fraternal twin, ice-cream lover, e-mailer, phone-hater, runner, reader, writer, lover, fighter, dreamer, skeptic, happy wife, virtual friend, fundraiser, disciplinarian, carpooler, researcher, advocate ... autism mama
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15 comments:
You certainly sparked the "haircut memories" for me!
Thank you for sharing!
xR
I wrote about it in my column today.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3565-Autism--Parenting-Examiner~y2009m5d30-How-to-give-a-haircut-to-an-autistic-child
Thanks Robin!
Great video, Judith. Jack handled it pretty well, too...
Just an update...book RYAN'S VICTORY is due out in September or thereabouts.
It used to take 3 of us to get my son through a hair cut - 2 to hold him and the stylist who cut his hair. We tried a lot of the tips mentioned in the video but ultimately the only thing that really helped was an ABA program to desensitize him to the experience. He doesn't love it but he gets through it with no tears and a lot less anxiety!
It's great that Snip Its did this video to help our kids.
Fantastic News Judy!!!! Keep us posted and thanks for writing such wonderful books about ASD..
Karen ... our wonderful ABA therapist Sarah was off camera the whole time ... which really helped keep the whole filming from becoming a complete meltdown situation.
The people at Snip-its are fantastic. We actually filmed this at the salon in Natick where we've been going since we moved here. They are always so patient and kind. I love that they have taken the additional step of doing this video. It really means a lot ...
Judith - the video was fantastic and Jack did great. . . Thanks for posting this.
the bubbles. we are all about the bubbles.
as grateful as i am for snip-its support, we found that their place just had far too much going on and it was really overwhelming to kenz. my stylist very generously offered to let us come into her salon before it opened. it was calm and quiet, which seemed to help a lot. she still cried a bit, but not like the she did at snip-its.
oh, and i brought bubbles.
;)
jesswilson,
This is an eclectic disorder....
Remarkably, if your salon owner opens early for you, that is a stellar option.
Our hair cutter simply rolled on the floor with my son and kept cutting.
What ever works it the name of the game.
xR
So true! Whatever works!
Snip-its does have a separate quiet room in the back with just a chair and a huge floor to ceiling mirror that Jack loves.
I had this same haircut problem with MY son MANY years ago, and the barber just followed us around while I held him...funny thing, son was/is not on the spectrum. However, he now has his own son who IS on the spectrum, and did not tolerate haircuts for a long time. I find that interesting...is it part of the genetic theory showing through?
And yes, Judith, I will keep you updated about the book and send you one as soon as I receive the first copies.
Thanks for the info and posting the video. I think Jack did great!
Such a great video! I count my blessings every time Andrew is due for a trim that we found someone who is GREAT with him and not afraid to do it! We went just today, actually.
We love Snip-Its. It's the only place we can go without a complete meltdown. I think it's the silly video games that do it. Now that he's almost 9 though, he's getting a little bored with the "baby video games". Maybe we'll move on to Kidz Adventure Cuts. Anyone try that?
Oh thank you for this! My son has not had a haircut in a shop...ever. He has curly hair so we just cut it at home. Figured out that the electric razors and blow dryers scared him. It is a sensory thing. Since he has curly hair...if we mess up a bit cutting it at home...the curls hide our mistakes. :>)
Now how about clipping nails...that is another hard one.
Very interesting!
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