Ways To Make Your Salon Autism-Friendly

Something so familiar and ordinary for many – a haircut – can be an ordeal for autistic clients.

An encouraging number of hairdressers are beginning to understand this and adapt their salon to be more autismfriendly, such as #BADHAIR in Somerset that HJ spoke to recently and many others that you can search for here. These specialised salons have proved life-changing for many clients, not only allowing them to feel calm throughout their appointment but also making improvements in their disorder long-term.

At this stage, it isn’t possible to open an autism-friendly salon in every town, however, there are small changes we can all make that go an unexpectedly long way.

Here, we spoke to Tom Purser, head of guidance, volunteering and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, about the importance of understanding autism in salons.

8 Ways To Make Your Salon Autism-Friendly

Clipper Alternatives: Avoid distress by letting children choose whether to use clippers and which ones.

Make it a Game: Utilise social stories and games to familiarise clients with the process.

Gradual Exposure: Allow clients to observe initially, then progress to sitting in the chair.

Extended Appointments: Offer longer appointment times and quieter slots.

Personalised Approach: Familiarise yourself with each client’s unique needs and strategies.

Sensory Considerations: Adjust music volume, use unscented products, and accommodate sensory sensitivities.

Flexibility: Adapt your approach, offering dry cuts or accommodating preferences like gown-free services.

Clear Communication: Verbally announce actions and keep instructions straightforward to minimize anxiety.

A Client’s Perspective We also spoke to Karen Barker, the Mother of her autistic son Harry, to learn about his experience and journey towards tolerating haircuts. Together, we hope to bring some valuable advice to light.

Does your son find the hairdressers to be a particularly overwhelming and distressing experience?

“At first, absolutely. We weren’t entirely sure if it was the sound of the clippers or the feeling of the hair trimmings on his skin, but he would battle and cry before and during the appointment, or even if we walked past the shop. A trim that should’ve taken 10 to 15 minutes would take us anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes,” explains Karen.

You said ‘at first’, was there a turning point?

“By chance, the owner’s wife of our local hairdressers worked with children with special needs. She offered to create a social story for Harry, which explained the importance of a haircut, how the hair will grow back and that any discomfort he feels is only temporary. At the end, it shows him receiving a reward (one that should be personal to each child). So, for Harry, it was a bag of his favourite sweets. There were also pictures of the salon, including the chair he’d be sitting in and the scissors and razors they’d use. He took this home and sat flicking through it, and this was the real game-changer for him,” says Karen.

What do you think hairdressers should know about cutting the hair of autistic clients? How can hairdressers make the experience less overwhelming?

“The owner of our hairdressers said to bring Harry in a few times before they tried cutting his hair, so I’d bring him in once a week after school to say hello to the staff and sit in the chair. They also made sure they cut Harry’s hair after everyone else had gone home, which was so lovely of them. This reduced the volume of the salon massively and therefore the amount of sensory overload Harry would have to endure. It completely depends on the individual. But, making them feel like it’s completely normal and acceptable that they find it difficult. Asking them, ‘how can I make this easier for you?’ goes a long way,” explains Karen.

What salon adaptations could make the space more autism-friendly?

“If possible, a private room for these clients would be helpful. Then they aren’t worried about anyone looking or hearing them if they do get distressed. An easy change to make would also be to have a box of fidget toys available, as these are a great distraction for autistic individuals. Plus, being able to adjust the music or radio in the salon, or even turn it off if that’s what the client would like. Any way to make it more tolerable for them is key,” Karen offers.