RE: [ds-autism Sara/ finger nail trimming and hair cuts

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Sara, I really appreciate the reassurance that we are not alone with

this issue.

's OT at school had recommended starting with putting the nail clippers on

the table, just so would get used to seeing them, gradually bringing them

closer

and closer, then just touching the nail with the clipper, etc. I know you get

the idea......numerous steps to the ultimate goal. The haircut is a whole

different story.

You are right, I need to be patient... at least he can tolerate the comb and

scissors a little bit (a few seconds at a time), but the buzzer is the ultimate

no-no! Thanks again for your encouragement. -

To:

From: pastmidvale@...

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:53:55 -0500

Subject: Re: finger nail trimming and hair cuts

We didn't use a stylist for ELie at that age. It was only a buzz cut done

once every 2 months or so and then we held him down and did it. Fast and

over. No sensory anything worked at all. We so got in the habit of doing

his hair at home, that even now, he rarely goes to the barber. But he does

have more of s style then he did then. He even BRUSHES his hair when remond

as part of his morning routine.

But it took until at least age 10 before we could use the first this and

then that to get his hair done at home, sitting in a chair.

Nail cutting. For a number of years, I just bit them off after a bath while

I held his hand and he was comfy on the couch - sometimes it took a week!

now I can cut his fingernails with him saying - just one more! The whole

time. He always says no toes, but in the end lets me do those as well.

PAtience - it does get better.

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 10:05 AM, McDonnell

wrote:

>

>

>

> Good Morning Group,

>

> still has an awful time with finger nail clippings and hair cuts. As

> he is getting bigger/stronger, it is getting more difficult.

> Have specific strategies worked that can reduce this trauma? I thought it

> might have lessened a bit as got older.

>

> We have tried trimming nails while was asleep, but he would wake up

> immediately and not have any of it!

> It now takes 2 of us for nail trimming and haircuts . We use rewards,

> " first this, then that " , but the sensory integration challenges are so

> overwhelming. Jim and I (plus the hairstylist, bless her heart) have found

> these experiences to be quite the workout ourselves and we continue to hope

> that he may eventually outgrow this.

>

> Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

>

> Best,

>

>

> Mom to , 7 yrs. old, DS-PDD/NOS

> Colon Cancer Survivor, 3/19/10- Last round of chemo

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My husband and I are at our wits end when it comes to the haircut for my son

Liam.

We do it at home with a buzzer, Liam strapped on a chair, watching a movie and

it still takes us hours to recover from the screaming. It's horrible. Liam seems

to recover quite well we just hate the process.

Liam is getting so strong that this is not going to work much longer. My husband

is always afraid that he will accidentally hurt him by holding Liam at times.

I would let his hair grow down to his butt, it doesn't bother me how long it

gets. The problem is when it gets to a certain length Liam will then start

twirling with his left hand and fixates on the hair. This of course then

distracts him from using that hand for anything else, which becomes a problem in

many situations.

Nail cutting is a bit better as I talk him into giving me his hand and then we

sing a familiar song while I cut the nails. He resists at first but calms down

as we go along.

His toes are another story. My husbands sits down with Liam while I'm standing

in front and bring his leg between mine and then proceed to hold his foot still

and cut away, again it's horrible. His feet are ridiculously sensitive.

We have tried to desensitize him with the buzzer even scissors b/c their not as

noisy but even when it seems like Liam is open to it then he freaks.

I'm hoping for the day when it gets better..hoping it comes soon.

It's comforting to know we aren't alone with this particular problem.

Marie

mom to Liam 7, DS, PDD-NOS, Celiac

Owen 4