Sharing our recent experiment re haircuts

February 4, 2010

Thought I'd share what We've been trying out since around September.

History: I finally called it quits taking DJ to get a haircut around 6th grade.

I honestly could not take the sheer torture anymore.

Sigh, I am not a good giver of haircuts so DJ has looked like either a hippie, a

rockstar wanna be or a military recruit because he inevitably would yank his

head at some crucial point when scissors/buzz thing was in use.

DJ started high school this year & I so wanted him to look the part to perhaps

avoid being teased etc. I happened to spot a few posts about social stories

which made me have a late night epiphany.

I talked to my hairdresser who happens to be the owner of the salon to see if

she was willing for us to try out my plan & who might be the best person to use.

She suggested her best friend-who has a ASD client & had no problem with using

her place as a lab.

My plan was to take DJ to salon & watch his dad get a haircut & just hang out

with me. Then the next visit when Dad gets haicut, DJ would get one afterwards.

Sprite was supplied (the ultimate bribe/treat).

DJ loved exploring & seeing dad get haircut. Next visit all was well until it

was his turn. He refused to sit in the chair & so poor cut his hair while

he was standing in a corner. Just a quickie with a sprite given by their very

cute receptionist.

Next visit, same routine except he sat in the chair. Another quickie haircut.

It is now 6 months/6 visits later & he readily gets into chair & gets a real

haircut. Still cannot tolerate hair falling on to the cape but is no longer

freaking & screaming about it. If I notice that he is " on the edge " due to

fatique or sensory issues I will request just a trim.

I've noticed that he looks for the sprite & the cute girl, lol.

My plan is to now fade out dad. With next hair appointment, only DJ will get

haircut. Hope this important part of my plan works.

Prior to haircuts, I marked calendar & showed him when his appointment was.

Talked about it a couple days before. Rewarded good behavoir.

Hope this little experiment of ours helps someone or gives an idea.

Kris, who is no longer a basketcase after trip to get haircut

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