Haircut Fear

by Don Forde
(Needham MA)

How can haircut fear be minimized in a 4 year old boy diagnosed with SPD?



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Oct 28, 2021
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Some of you don't understand
by: Anonymous

My grandson is terrified of haircuts. It makes him hyperventilate. He is four, has CP and has been terrified his entire life of haircuts.

There is no video or treat that helps.

May 07, 2018
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Aspergers and autism
by: English

Please have the Psychiatrst check for under methylation and over methylation as folate causes issues with under methylated children . A functional psychiatrist MD will check for low Zinc, Low manganese, copper levels all of which can display autism spectrum symptoms and can result in autistic behaviors.

If the child cannot absorb essential nutrients, then the body will be in deficit for these. For referral on absorbing nutrients check schwarzwc. com. I wish you all the best on your journey to good health. The hair cut might take care of itself .

Jun 29, 2017
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Haircuts hurt, autism
by: Jacque

Our 13 yr old son has mass hysteria when getting his hair cut, he says it hurts. He also wears heavy jackets and hoods and cant stand loud sounds or wind in his ears.

I have been looking this up and have came to the conclusion he is probably high functioning autistic or has Aspergers syndrome. We have had other issues as well that brings me to this conclusion.

So if you have these issues please check into both of these syndromes. You may find more help for your child.

Jun 08, 2016
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Unsure what to do at this point.
by: Anonymous

My son is now 10 years old and still cries hysterically when getting a haircut. Our barber is super friendly, patient, and professional. I'm not sure what else to do at this point. We've tried everything we can think of. It's embarrassing when I have to hold him down on my lap while the barber holds his head in place.

Jun 08, 2015
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:oh by the way...
by: Anonymous

I hated everything about haircuts till late HS. they were used as punishment they would announce it at Sat breakfast: don't think you get to have fun today coz u r going to the barber shop. my whole weekend was ruined as I sat in the big chair towel in the shirt strip around the neck and pinstripe cape secured tightly. didn't matter tho bcoz I had thick hair and always had a back full of hair clippings. in the 50s and 60s you went and got shaved down in the back and around the ears. little bit left on top that's all. it drove me nuts for 2 days. felt really weird on the pillowcase. oh and the barber was kinda mean. toward the end he would dig the clippers in hard and he only dusted me off once while he was buzzing. that's a fear of barbershops for ya.

Feb 15, 2015
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The Midnight Barber
by: Anonymous

My son has been afraid to have his hair cut for many years now. I started cutting it while he was sleeping. It's not perfect and it takes a few days to a week to get it even but it is the only thing that has worked for us. I take a damp paper towel in the room and put the cut hair onto it and when I'm finished I take the pillow case off of his pillow. Good luck and don't sweat it, there is no harm in a sweet boy with longer hair either.

Jan 03, 2012
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help
by: Angela

We have tried all of the above comments already. We are still struggling. He is 3 and says don't hurt me! Trust me I am the furthest from hurting him. We have tried certain places, candy, games, chocolate, let daddy get his haircut first, touch the clippers and show the special kids ones don't get hot or hurt. My family thinks it's super easy just to hold him down to do it. Even in the morning brushing his hair is awful with the baby brush. He has lots of thick hair . I'm open to ideas and more suggestions.

May 04, 2009
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haircuts
by: Leeanne

What works for us is letting my little guy watch his favorite home videos on the computer while i cut. He loves to ask me questions about when he was little and we turn it into a fun time.

Occasionally he gets a bit upset when the hair falls inside his shirt but i just keep a little dusting brush nearby to help with that. He says the hair 'hurts' when it touches his skin. By this point i promise him a piece of chocolate and a tubby which is enough to make it through.

May 03, 2009
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Try allowing him to explore
by: Charlene

Try allowing him to touch the clippers or scissors before hand and let him know that it does not hurt. Explain to the barber his issues and maybe he or she can change the softness or firmness used when cutting your sons hair. My son has to be told with each hair cut that the clippers are just like his electric tooth brush and we give him a dum dum sucker to soothe him while getting his hair cut. this seems to work with him

May 03, 2009
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HC fear
by: Anonymous

Fortunately I have my license so I cut my son's hair but I would suggest finding a place that is kid friendly and has stuff geared toward kids (if possible let him watch his favorite show while getting it cut). That has worked wonders for me. Good luck!

May 03, 2009
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hair cut fear
by: Anonymous

This can be a tricky one. My son is 5 years old and is also afraid of haircuts. We are still not totally over it. He hates the feel one the hair falling. He actually gets all red and blotchy from it. We have tried several things such as letting him feel the clippers first with his hand to show him they won't hurt him, or let him watch his dad get a hair cut so he could see it doesn't hurt. For my son these didn't work.

We took him to a Children's salon that specialized in special needs kids a few times which he did well with, but they were pretty far from our house so we aren't able to do that every time. What has finally become our best solution is I cut his hair and home and my sister helps by talking him thru the haircut. He loves Star Wars so she asks him who which Star Wars character he wants his hair to look like and tells him how good he is doing and just tries to sooth him while I cut.

He now reminds himself that haircuts just tickle and that seems to help him too! Good luck I now how frustrating this can be on both of you.

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