As this is my first blog post of 2011, I would like to wish you a very happy new year and I hope 2011 is a good one for you.

I am delighted to let you know that I now have an interactive version of ‘Going to the Hairdresser’ available free at http://www.offwego.ie/interactive. It can be used on your home PC or school interactive whiteboard to help children learn about the experience of going for a haircut. This can be a very scary experience for young children and children with special needs. I know from helping my son Stephen (who has a severe intellectual disability) that he is sensitive to sounds. So I have added sounds to the pictures from my Going to the Hairdresser book. I need your help and advice - please could you let me know what you think of it and how I can improve it.

I have found that the more I prepare Stephen, the better he can manage a new experience. Like many children, Stephen learns more easily with pictures than words. So I prepare him using pictures in a sequence so that he knows what is going to happen (this is what started my Off We Go! series of books). However, I have also found that sounds can cause Stephen to get upset and anxious. Stephen has a sensory integration disorder (www.sensory-processing-disorder.com for full explanation) which means that his senses work differently. He cannot ‘push away’ sounds and he hears sounds more loudly than we do. Think of what it is like when you open the door of a barbers/hairdressers salon and hear the sounds of clippers, scissors, hairdryers, telephone all going on at the same time. I found that by preparing Stephen with the sounds in advance in the safety of our home, he was less scared and anxious. And it is from this, that I developed the interactive version of my ‘Going to the Hairdresser’ book.

As well as helping Stephen I found this preparation helped all my children, particularly Rachel - see photo.

Tips on going for a haircut:

 
Find an understanding barber/hairdresser: Ask around and you will find someone who wants to help and is used to working with kids.

Prepare using pictures: Take photos of the barber/hairdressing salon and make a home made book of the sequence of what will happen. You may find it useful to look at my Off We Go! Going to the Hairdresser as a guide. Go for a visit to the barbers/hairdressers salon without actually getting a haircut.

Practice at home: I found Stephen hated the feel of the cape/gown that is put over him when getting his hair cut. Borrow one in advance if you can and play out getting a haircut at home. Use your hairdryer, gel, mousse and let your child do your hair! It helped Stephen to turn on/off the clippers that is used for cutting boys’ hair. He was reassured to know that it can be turned off.

Praise: Reward and reassure as you go, Stephen finds the waiting part hard so I might bring a new book/magazine for him to have while we wait. Better still if you can organise an appointment time first thing in the morning or at a time when the salon is not busy. Take time at the end to look in the mirror and let them see how gorgeous they look!

Distract: Bring along a favourite toy or portable dvd player, that can help if your child gets upset.

I look forward to hearing your feedback on Off We Go! Going to the Hairdresser interactive.

Best wishes as always,
Avril