Are Haircuts A Struggle For Your Child?

little boy sitting in the barber chair not happy about his haircut

Getting a haircut can be a stressful experience for many children, especially if it is their first time or if they have sensory issues. Fortunately, there are steps that caregivers and caregivers can take to calm the child’s fears before, during, and after getting their haircut.

Strategies for making child haircuts easier

  • Before the haircut, it is important to provide comfort and preparation. Allow your child to become familiar with the environment and people they will encounter at the hair salon. If visiting the location is not possible, Google pictures and videos of the location. There are also many resources online of social stories which are walkthroughs of the haircut process. Knowing the expectations sometimes can allow avoidance of a sensory meltdown.
  • Show them pictures of different hairstyles that they can choose from and help them pick out a style that they feel comfortable with.
  • During the haircut, create a relaxed and positive atmosphere by playing calming music and giving your child a distraction such as a toy or a book to keep them occupied.
  • Encourage them to take deep breaths and talk them through each step of the process.
  • Take breaks to provide sensory input such as a gentle massage or brushing of the scalp with a soft brush or even a hug

After the haircut, it is important to show your child that they did a great job. Provide positive reinforcement, rewards, or even just a hug to let them know how proud you are of them.

If the experience was particularly stressful, consider exploring other options such as at-home haircuts to make sure your child feels comfortable and secure

Take your child to the salon when it’s not busy and make sure that the hairdresser knows how to make it a fun experience for them.

Consider scheduling regular haircuts to help make the process more routine and comfortable for your child.

If your child’s fear of haircuts persists even after trying the strategies above, you may want to speak with an occupational therapist for additional guidance. At Empower Kids Therapy we can provide additional support and help your child cope with any underlying issues that may be contributing to their fear.

Samantha Stiles, MS, OTR/L 

CEO, Occupational Therapist

As a pediatric therapist I know what it takes to really address feeding, sensory, and emotional challenges in children. I’m talking the kind of exponential growth that changes the course of lives. But this type of transformation requires time, parent involvement, and extra guidance.

When parents arrive inside the world of Empower Kids Therapy, they find a fresh spark of hope, a different way of thinking, and a sense of being understood.

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Ms.Sam - Pediatric Occupational Therapist

In-home occupational therapy services focused on sensory processing, feeding & infant development
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This blog may be our most in-depth YET! You really don’t want to miss it! 

In each section we break down 3-4 pro tips to help you and your kids be successful when school starts! 📚

Let us know in the comments what your favorite was or how you’ll be implementing your new school routine! 

#backtoschooltips #backtoschoolautism #backtoschoolneurodiversity #backtoschoolprep #backtoschoolparentingtips
As the new school year begins, here’s your reminder, mama: you know your child best. You notice the small victories no one else sees. You know when their energy is dipping, when the noise is too much, and when a simple hug can change everything.

For sensory kids, going back to school can feel overwhelming. Bright lights, new routines, crowded classrooms, these things can be big. But here are 5 things to hold close as you send your child back this year. 💚

#SensoryProcessing #AutismAwareness #SensoryKids #OTforKids #ChildDevelopment #AutismSupport #SensoryFriendly
#OccupationalTherapy #ParentingAutism #SensoryPlay #AutismParenting #InclusiveParenting #OTActivities
#SensoryIntegration #SpecialNeedsParenting
#OTTips #AutismCommunity #SensorySeeking
#CalmingStrategies #AutismAcceptance #TherapeuticPlay #DailyLivingSkills
#SensoryDiet #RegulationStrategies
#ParentingNeurodivergent
#SensoryProcessingDisorder #LifeSkillsForKids #SpeechAndOT
#EmpoweredParenting
Parent requested post!! Which one of these strategies would your child use? 

These three are great for kids in public school settings because they’re quiet, hardly noticeable and so effective! 💚

#SensoryProcessing #AutismAwareness #SensoryKids #OTforKids #ChildDevelopment #AutismSupport #SensoryFriendly
#OccupationalTherapy #ParentingAutism #SensoryPlay #AutismParenting #InclusiveParenting #OTActivities
#SensoryIntegration #SpecialNeedsParenting
#OTTips #AutismCommunity #SensorySeeking
#CalmingStrategies #AutismAcceptance #TherapeuticPlay #DailyLivingSkills
#SensoryDiet #RegulationStrategies
#ParentingNeurodivergent
#SensoryProcessingDisorder #LifeSkillsForKids #SpeechAndOT
#EmpoweredParenting
Happy Friday Families!! 💚

As school is approaching for you and your kids, we wanted to ask how we can help! 

Are you looking for resources for teachers? Homework plans that are customizable? Guides on getting dressed in the morning or regulating emotions during school? 

Let us know what would help you best in the comments!