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Haircuts as an autistic person

Wib

So I’m really due a haircut. However, I find the entire experience to be a nightmare. I have really bad sensory issues when it comes to people or anything being near my head and the noises of the barbering stuff. I also find the small talk part difficult and struggle to explain to the barber how I want my hair done. Does anyone have any tips if they’ve had similar issues ? Trying to hype myself up to go on Thursday but it’s a struggle lol.

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  • Hi, I'm new to this forum but this thread drew me in - it's gold dust!

    For many years until my diagnosis (ASD and ADHD) I couldn't work out why I much preferred going to the dentist rather than having my hair cut. I mean, that always seemed a bit weird. It got so bad that I would let my hair grow into an unkempt mess before plucking up the courage to go in - on occasions walking right past the door if I could see more than one other customer waiting. Anyway, I eventually figured it out - in the dentists chair you don't have to talk to anybody. And it's only you, the dentist and the nurse in the room - no mirrors, no other people to make you feel anxious, no other noises or stuff going on. It's just you and the possibility that you might get a stabbing pain in the gob.

    Anyway, I've been going to the same barbers for nearly 40 years. It's a local family business and the same guy has been cutting my hair on and off for most of that time. I always thought he was a bit grumpy and I could never anything to talk about. Like others on here I hated seeing myself in the mirror and the whole thing was a bit of an ordeal. Then, about two years ago, I ended up in a local pub when an amateur band took to the stage. Who was on guitar and vocals but the bloke who cuts my hair! I finally had something to talk to him about and now I'm far less anxious about going in (although I still make sure I time it for the quietest possible moment when there are unlikely to be any other customers). I've also reached a certain age and, er, let's just say that my haircut takes much less time than it used to...

Reply

  • Hi, I'm new to this forum but this thread drew me in - it's gold dust!

    For many years until my diagnosis (ASD and ADHD) I couldn't work out why I much preferred going to the dentist rather than having my hair cut. I mean, that always seemed a bit weird. It got so bad that I would let my hair grow into an unkempt mess before plucking up the courage to go in - on occasions walking right past the door if I could see more than one other customer waiting. Anyway, I eventually figured it out - in the dentists chair you don't have to talk to anybody. And it's only you, the dentist and the nurse in the room - no mirrors, no other people to make you feel anxious, no other noises or stuff going on. It's just you and the possibility that you might get a stabbing pain in the gob.

    Anyway, I've been going to the same barbers for nearly 40 years. It's a local family business and the same guy has been cutting my hair on and off for most of that time. I always thought he was a bit grumpy and I could never anything to talk about. Like others on here I hated seeing myself in the mirror and the whole thing was a bit of an ordeal. Then, about two years ago, I ended up in a local pub when an amateur band took to the stage. Who was on guitar and vocals but the bloke who cuts my hair! I finally had something to talk to him about and now I'm far less anxious about going in (although I still make sure I time it for the quietest possible moment when there are unlikely to be any other customers). I've also reached a certain age and, er, let's just say that my haircut takes much less time than it used to...

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