Helping Children with Additional Needs Navigate Haircuts 
For many families, a trip to the hairdresser is a simple routine. But for parent carers of children with additional needs, including autism and sensory differences, haircuts can be a source of real stress. The sounds, textures, and unpredictability of the experience often feel overwhelming — making something as ordinary as a trim a real challenge.
Why haircuts can be difficult
Children with sensory processing differences may find:
The sound of clippers or hairdryers too loud.
Hair falling on their face or neck uncomfortable or distressing.
Sitting still in an unfamiliar environment overwhelming.
The loss of control over what is happening to them very unsettling.
Strategies that can help
Parent carers and healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, have developed a range of strategies to support children through haircuts. These include:
Preparing in advance – using social stories, photos, or videos to explain what will happen step by step.
Offering choice – letting children decide on the chair, cape, or even the order of the cut where possible.
Adapting the environment – avoiding hairdryers, using quieter clippers, or asking for a calm space in the salon.
Breaking it down – keeping sessions short, or tackling haircuts in stages rather than all at once.
Using sensory supports – weighted lap pads, fidget toys, or headphones to help children self-regulate.
Positive reinforcement – celebrating each step to build confidence and make the next visit easier.
Working together
Haircare is about more than just appearance — it’s a life skill that supports independence, self-esteem, and wellbeing. By sharing strategies between parent carers, salons, and healthcare practitioners, haircuts can become a more positive and empowering experience for children with additional needs.
At Jam Up!, we’ve been developing tools and resources to support families in building these skills, including our new Haircut & Hairdressing task. Together, we can make everyday challenges more manageable — and celebrate the little wins along the way.
Download our hairdresser resource to take to the salon with you next time from the resource section of our website