Can you tell me of any help and support you received?
Upon receiving his diagnosis of Autism in July 2013, Essex County Council put in place for Harrison a fantastic team of specialists. Our key worker has become an extended member of our family and our Specialist Teacher, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist and Health Visitor have been an amazing support to us. Using my background skills, as well as advice from my Speech and Language Therapist, after two months of intensive interaction with Harry, I was able to get him to start talking. He said his first word, which was our next door neighbour’s name a week after his 3rd birthday.
Harrison starts school in September and is going to a mainstream primary school. He was awarded the EHCP in October 2014 and we have now finalised his EHCP after appealing against Statutory Assessment for the full 32.5 hours, which we won!
How does Harrison react to getting his hair cut?
Harrison started having his hair cut at the age of 1, where at this time, he was not diagnosed. I look back now and feel terrible at putting a hairdryer near him!
I feel the best way to describe Harrison (and I am sure Ian would agree with me!) is like trying to put a cat in the bath! Harrison is horrendous to the point that he has given me a black eye where I have to hold and restrain him. Harrison becomes totally traumatised by the whole situation and it causes us both so much stress that it leaves both me and him mentally and physically drained. I have encouraged Harrison to have manners, so even after his hair has been (half) cut, he will say thank you afterwards and then literally passes out in the car on the way home as he has exhausted himself through fighting me and screaming.
I have been cutting his hair whilst he sleeps and when it gets really bad, myself and one of the stylists at Spargo; have to retrain him, whilst two stylists quickly cut as much as possible before we have to stop. Even to wash his hair is a nightmare for him.
Have you experience of other children with autism, regards to hairdressing?
I attended at the beginning of this year, a course run by Essex County called Good Beginnings. It is a course for parents who have children with ASD. I met eight mums there, who all experience the same hell as I do with regards to having their children’s hair cut. Through research, I have personally undertaken, before I approached Ian to do Spargoland, so many parents I spoke to all said how hard it was for their children to have their hair cut and also the embarrassment of being stared at by other people in regular salons. I was once asked to leave a barbers with how bad Harrison was.
What specific training will staff have to meet the needs of children and individuals who have a developmental disability?
Ian and I have discussed having carers to be trained to cut hair and nails, as it is easier to teach someone with background knowledge of working with children and adults with SEN rather than teaching a hairdresser how to have the patience etc. I personally feel that the area to work on most will be cutting hair of someone with ASD and/or sensory issues, because it needs to be quick without getting hair on their skin or spraying a water bottle onto the hair. Dry cuts with a comb already wet and as quickly as possibly whilst they are engaged with a touch screen pad or fidget toy will be a task to learn and adapt to.
How will the salon be funded?