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Haircuts and Autism. Making it Work. By Cartoon Cuts
Please welcome guest blogger Cartoon Cuts as they share some tips for helping children with Autism adjust to haircuts.
Getting a haircut can be one of the most difficult, challenging, and scary experiences for a child with autism.
Cartoon Cuts can help!
Cartoon Cuts stylists have helped many families conquer the challenge of a haircut, especially families with children on the spectrum. Stories of triumph and pure happiness pour into our salons and corporate office weekly, including the story of Ethan, who had never actually had a full haircut until he was introduced to Cartoon Cuts.
Ethan’s mom described their past experiences as challenging, and said that they had to let his hair grow out down past his shoulders, until they were referred to Cartoon Cuts. Still, Ethan did not want to have anyone touch his hair. Ethan’s family took baby steps to get him into the salon, and after many visits, his hair was finally cut. Ethan’s first visits were just in the waiting room, playing with the toys, and getting comfortable in the environment. The next step was to get him into the chair, to watch a movie. Once he was comfortable in the chair, he was able to get his hair brushed. After a couple visits sitting in the chair, and getting his hair brushed, the stylist was able to start cutting some hair. Ethan can now come into Cartoon Cuts and successfully get his hair cut and styled.
“She was so good, and so patient with him… he was kicking, screaming, and he wasn’t saying nice things. We’ve been working on it slowly, and now he’s at the point where she can actually cut his hair and style it. So, it’s been such a wonderful, positive experience, because his hair has just been such a challenging issue for us. I recommend all of my friends and Ethan’s classmates to go to Cartoon Cuts and tell them what a good experience this has been.” – Ethan’s Mom, on their experience at Cartoon Cuts.
Tips for a successful haircut.
- Visit a salon that understands the challenges and fears that children with autism have about haircuts.
- Visit the salon a few times before attempting the haircut, so that the child can get comfortable in the environment.
- Take baby steps… visits to the salon, sitting in the salon chair, and getting the hair combed are all small steps that can lead to a successful haircut.
- Make sure you and the stylist are patient, patience is everything!
- Bring an extra shirt, in case your child is uncomfortable with the cape.
- If possible, visit the salon during the weekday, when it doesn’t tend to be as busy or noisy.
- Set up a goal and reward system, and reward your child when they reach each goal. For many, small goals like sitting in the chair, putting the cape on, letting the stylist brush the hair, etc., work best. The small goals can lead up to a big reward, like getting an ice cream, or a new book!
For more information, please visit our website at www.cartooncuts.com
Link to Ethan’s video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laHJSN5ojBA
As a busy mompreneur, it is important to make time every single day to reflect on the things you are grateful for. This time for reflection is not only good for the mind, but for the body as well. Studies have shown that individuals who possess a grateful attitude have better overall health than people who tend to be negative or pessimistic. When you take the time to give thanks, especially amidst chaos, not only do you resist the urge to just give up, but you also set your intentions for forward momentum with a “go-getter” attitude.
Better health just from being thankful? Yes. You read that correctly. Let’s look at the facts.
Physical Health
In a 2003 study known as Counting Blessings Versus Burdens, participants recorded less physical pain and symptoms, more restful sleep, and more time spent taking care of their bodies. A separate study in 2007, individuals who counted their blessings once a week experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure. And in another study, people who focused on being thankful were more likely to have healthy immune systems.
Mental & Emotional Health
Taking the time to give thanks can actually reduce depressive thoughts and attitudes. While major depressive disorders are often treated with prescription medications, incorporating a gratitude journal in your wellness routine can help to ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Feeling grateful can also block toxic emotions such as envy, jealousy, and anger. Since gratitude and envy, jealousy, and anger are opposite emotions, we are not able to experience them at the same time. By focusing on the things in your life that you are grateful for, you can proactively block these negative emotions and feelings.
Gratitude can also help you to feel more self-aware, allowing you to increase your self-esteem, boosting humility and pride at the very same time.
Social Interactions
Gratitude can also have positive implications for your social life. Gratitude allows you to be more optimistic, focus less on material things, become less selfish, and friendlier. And guess what? All of these qualities will make you a better friend and family member. Having an attitude of gratitude turns you into a helpful, beautiful, attractive human being.
This is proven with a simple question – Who would you rather be around? A friend who is constantly complaining or a friend who is consistently happy and positive? The Golden Rule, tried and true!
Career Development
Grateful attitudes can open the door for meaningful development to your career. Gratitude increases your decision making ability, your ability to effectively manage a team, as well as provide and receive constructive criticism and praise to and from your colleagues. Our simple question applies here as well – Who would you rather hire? An employee who is constantly complaining or an employee who is consistently happy and positive?
Gratitude also helps you to network and expand your ability to be productive. Being grateful in your career sparks creative energy, keeps your perspective fresh and maintains alertness for powerful opportunities and new relationships. You will feel thankful for the opportunities presented to you in your career, you will be open to how they can positively impact your environment and you will utilize those chances to increase your professional prowess as your grateful attitude magnifies the power in your present situation.
Demonstrate your Gratitude
One way to demonstrate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Write one thing you are thankful for in your journal daily. This could be done in the morning shortly after you wake up, or it can be completed before you go to sleep at night. Just pick an opportunity to give thanks.
Another way to demonstrate gratitude is to write it in a place where everyone in the family can see it. I have a chalkboard calendar in which I write one thing that I am grateful for every single day. Not only does this help me to slow down in a busy day, it cultivates an attitude of gratitude by demonstrating the importance of giving thanks to my entire family.
How do you cultivate gratitude in your life? Never developed a routine that motivates you to give thanks every day? Let’s start here! In the comments below, write one thing you are grateful for.
This is the season of gratitude. Thanksgiving is upon us! But let’s commit to give thanks every day, embrace humble hearts and watch as we collectively grow into good health, mentally, physically and emotionally. Will you give thanks with me?
Are you on Periscope yet? I talked about why your blog needs Periscope just over a week ago, and we chatted why businesses need Periscope over on The Hampton Roads Creative too! Now I have a whole new reason for you to hop on the Periscope bandwagon. Chaos & Kiddos is going live! Below you’ll find the weekly Periscope schedule for August and September. I picked popular blog posts and fun topics that will give you a little peak into my home and real time access to the methods behind my madness!
I decided to formally schedule these sessions so that you can plan ahead and mark your calendars. As busy working moms, I picked a weekday evening, when hopefully most of us will have kids in bed and will be ready for a little chat to unwind with other working moms. I know the likelihood of you hopping on randomly at different times of day probably won’t happen, so the weekly Periscope schedule will help you set a routine, keep me consistent and accountable and hopefully help us all make the most of our time together.
I can’t wait!! I’ll be releasing a weekly Periscope schedule for future months too! Stay tuned and follow closely!
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures
August 7, 2014 at 11:05 am
I visited a Cartoon Cuts for the first time when we visited FL back in June. I must admit, they are a great salon. They are so patient with the kids and make the effort to offer a great experience. My son never likes to get his hair cut, but he was so engaged with everything going on – toys, video, books – that he didn’t even realize that he got a haircut until it was all over. He didn’t want to leave! Great post! And great tips!
Katy Blevins
August 12, 2014 at 9:41 am
I am hoping to take the boys to one when we travel up to northern Virginia. It sounds like such fun!
Amber
August 7, 2014 at 12:52 pm
These are some really great tips! We don’t have a Cartoon Cuts near us but we have managed to find a salon that really takes their time when it comes to getting Nicholas’ haircut. The first few times we went did not go well at all but they are much easier now! He still gets a little nervous when he first gets in the chair but as long as we take it slow, he seems to be okay.
Katy Blevins
August 12, 2014 at 9:40 am
I admit, it never even occurred to me how difficult it would be for you. So many things that we take for granted that other families have to work through. So happy there are salons that recognize this need and meet children where they are to ensure a positive experience. I am glad to be working towards more awareness myself and am thrilled Cartoon Cuts shared their hearts for all children.