My son has asd and very sensitive around his head and face. Hair cutting had always been a problem and now he is ready to start shaving. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My son has asd and very sensitive around his head and face. Hair cutting had always been a problem and now he is ready to start shaving. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I cut my sons hair, I always have. It is easier to do so at his convenience on request, rather than at a time he may not feel comfortable around people. As you are probably aware having to sit in others company with the stress of it would make the sensory side of itchy hairs the touch and sound, the close proximity and the expectation of being still, that's without the conversation, hows school? What are you studying or in fact any questions or the expectation of speaking at all.
I am happy to stop and allow him a break but often enough he wants to "get it over with"
So at the point he started needing a shave I would just do a number one with the clippers and switch to the beard trimmer. When cutting his hair or when he requested this. It was a natural progression for him.
We looked online at images of different facial hair and styles. How to shave and achieve them, after skin care and aftershave and balms.
We were mindful of facial hair when we were socialising but without mentioning my son or what his choices may or may not have been.
I put up visuals in the bathroom, and added take a shave visual.
There were times due to his low mood/mental ill health I had to remove all sharps, so razors were not readily available, but the trimmer was, eventually I bought him an electric wet and dry shaver. However he still has a wet shave with a razor every now and then.
I did not assume his ability , and he surprised me although I helped him wet shave if he requested it the first few times.
He enjoyed growing a goatie beard and trying different shapes and lengths. I didnt comment on my preference I just tried to encourage him to embrace this particular part of puberty and experiment with it. He is proficient at shaving now. I do not tell him when he needs to shave he shaves when he feels he wants to. So there is no pressure and in his eyes it is not a chore.
I hope our story helped in some way.
Kind Regards, Rebecca and Rueben.
Also the whole school/college does not work for everyone, I would suggest communicating with education settings via email and using this paper trail to seek young persons learning programmes in your area, supported training, work experience placements from 6 weeks to six months and apprenticeships. Guidance towards independent living and travelling.
You can also ask the local council for a EHCPNA as a parent carer, which is a needs assessment for a EHCP you give your evidence and then they will request evidence from the educational setting.
I would suggest you include evidence from birth, highlight comments on school reports with regards to concentration, distracted, disruptive, not paying attention, not doing homework, etc ... failed cycles in in house senco Independent learning plans, and exclusions and also emotional impact this has on your child. I would also express if his education and academia does not reflect his IQ levels and his ability to share information or the need to elaborate on it being a literal thinker.
I hope for the very best for you and your son. It is very challenging.
Kindest regards
Rebecca
Also the whole school/college does not work for everyone, I would suggest communicating with education settings via email and using this paper trail to seek young persons learning programmes in your area, supported training, work experience placements from 6 weeks to six months and apprenticeships. Guidance towards independent living and travelling.
You can also ask the local council for a EHCPNA as a parent carer, which is a needs assessment for a EHCP you give your evidence and then they will request evidence from the educational setting.
I would suggest you include evidence from birth, highlight comments on school reports with regards to concentration, distracted, disruptive, not paying attention, not doing homework, etc ... failed cycles in in house senco Independent learning plans, and exclusions and also emotional impact this has on your child. I would also express if his education and academia does not reflect his IQ levels and his ability to share information or the need to elaborate on it being a literal thinker.
I hope for the very best for you and your son. It is very challenging.
Kindest regards
Rebecca
