Hairdressing salons are unfamiliar, busy and noisy places; strong smells of shampoo/hair products, loud noises from hair dryers and other equipment, to strangers chatting loudly as they have their hair cut. These all play a part in sensory issues which can make a person feel uncomfortable before the actual process of having a haircut has even started.

At Prior's Court, we try to help the young people and their families experience as many 'normal' events as possible, haircuts being one of them. Most of our young people start by having haircuts done by familiar staff members in the home, with the eventual hope being they will be able to have their hair cut in the community.

For Dexter and Otto, this milestone was hit at the beginning of June, with both of them going out into the community to get their hair done at a barber's. Staff members in the house took Dexter and Otto's leads when it comes to new experiences, offering them different options when they are having good days and encouraging them to take part in new activities. 

For Dexter, this was his first hair cut in a number of years out in the community, so this was a huge achievement for him. Likewise for Otto, who can really struggle having his hair cut due to the sensory aspect, this was an important day out which was a direct result of the incredibly hard work all of the staff around them put in every day. 

Click here to read a case study about how three other young people also achieved community hair cuts