Help! How do I get my Autistic child to the hairdressers and dentist?
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- čas přidán 21. 11. 2020
- Going to the dentist and getting a haircut might not be the easiest activity for an Autistic child. And everyone knows that dental care is crucial! So, what should parents do when dentist trips are highly stressful for our children? Watch this week's video to find out my tips on how to get your child out the door and onto the dentist's chair!
Please write your thoughts and experience in the comment below. Do you think dentists and hairdressers should be more accommodating for our Autistic kiddos?
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Website - cominghometoautism.com/
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Video Producer:
Tiara Westlake www.kamukami.com/
Music:
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Having my son chew chewing gum while he had his hair cut was a game changer for us. An occupational therapist recommended it and said it helps with sensory regulation. I don't understand it but it has mad hair cuts far less stressful for us all.
I have Autism, what they mean is to use "our" attention as a distraction from what is stressing us out; also giving us what we feel is a "safe stimulus" a calming activity, ie reading, squeeze ball, etc.
Nothing is greater than the love of a good mother.
Great advice...dentists and hairdressers are two things we struggle with
Love how you allow your child a choice in if they can have short or long hair. When I was a child, I had no choice. "You can't take care of your hair!" What 4 year old can by themselves? Most parents put it up in ponytails, pigtails, braids, afro puffs for them. I never had a say in wither or not I could get it cut. I was always jealous of other girls who were allowed to have long hair. As an adult I have to cut my hair myself because of the trust issues being forced to have it cut caused. I either let it grow long and dye it pink and blue or just shave it down to the skin.
Thank you for these tips. I appreciate every one. My grandson is 7, and I know he can learn. He is bright, but often hard to manage. Please keep this up.
I still haven’t found a way to get him into the hairdressers but he trusts me to cut his hair and I’ve gotten pretty good at it. As for his teeth, I’ve just recently been successful with brushing his teeth. My son wouldn’t let me brush his teeth until he was 4 1/2 and it has been a battle but he’s slowing giving in and allowing me take care of his teeth.
Keep up the good work. My son is the same. Only mommy can cut his hair. And now I have started to have him come to my bathroom to brush his teeth together.
The dentist is the worst! I hate going myself. I have avoided it and now my son Noah is going on 6 years and has lost 4 teeth. I know i need to start the process soon. The dedication you had taking him 3 times without the dentist doing anything. That is a really good idea and will probably be what I have to do.
Hey, what a super strong and wise mama you are! I can't explain to you the value of your videos to my family! Thank you so so much! My boy who is 6 is so very much like Dylan although Ruben is very sensory more than anything. The advice you give from.your own experience is golden and helps so many of our community...lots of love x
I am so proud of Dillon for overcoming his sensory issues I have come a long way too we both kept up the good work
My asd advisor suggested that I show my son a little video of kids getting there hair cut be for the app and it's really helped
That's a great idea!
Fantastic tips, thank you!
When my kids were very little I used to take them with me to my dental check ups and hair appointments (the quick ones 😉) and that seemed to helped them understand what was expected of them. We are also lucky enough to have found a paediatric dentist that specialises in children on the spectrum which has been amazing!
thats great x
Great tips 👍🏼 Thank you. I always love your videos. So many similarities, I always smile when you’re talking. I FEEL you! 😂💪🏼❤️
Our son screamed even in the shower from a toddler age. He hated anything touching his head. We have used the same hairdresser since he was 2 and he is now 11.
As for the dentist, once he realised he could pull teeth out - once they felt the TINIEST wobble, he wobbled and wobbled until they were out.
Sometimes the new tooth didn’t come through for months 😳
We haven’t been to the dentist yet, and believe it or not we’re booked for last week then our son was sick all week.
He hasn’t been sick all year 🤦🏻♀️ So we’ve rescheduled for mid December with our amazing dentist. I’m not looking forward to it. 😁
As a sweetener, I’m giving him the day off school as it’s a midday appointment, the only time left. 😆
I am autistic and I remember the time I ripped out a tooth with a screwdriver and pliers to avoid having it pulled at the dentist. I was 12.
Thanks I think you are amazing. I'm looking after my autistic 3 year old. Teeth, haircuts, u name it. Thanks for all the tips
This is great advice tara thank you. I bought clippers for our son as he literally screams at every hair cut! It's so hard to see him so uncomfortable. My husband us a dentist so luckily he is familiar with that. 💜
💕 I know the sound annoys my son I’m going to invest in silent clippers and bring them to his hair appointment.
This is so so helpful! A lot of things I ‘knew’ but your tips on individual things were amazing. Also laughed very hard at the dead hair story 😂 ASD has some priceless moments
My son is 4 1/2 and is just now letting me really brush his teeth. I'm been trying to get comfortable enough to take him to his first dentist visit. It comforting to know that other families go through the same struggle.
This is very helpful, thank you! My son is 4 and we are in the process of haircut and teeth. So truly couldn't have come at a better time. 🧩❤
I just found your video my son is level two high function and theses are some really good tips
I’m so happy I could cry 😢 that I found your channel I have so many questions about my son and no one to talk too and we are waiting for his diagnosis appointment
Thank you! Am going to look for that toothpaste
Great video, Tara! I know that our daughter struggles with these issues w/her 3 year Son. Your approach with both subjects makes a lot of sense! Thx 😊! ❤️
So much great tips, as always...❤ thank you.
We had our first haircut at around 2.5y. when the hairdresser lady came to out house and did haircuts first to my older children, while younger son was watching. Still he didn't like when she did his cut AT ALL. Having several introduction to this lady before the actual day would've help I think.
Hey,
Your tips are very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing.
My son used to cry every time we took him For a haircut. We had to hold him and it was awful it felt like he was in pain every second from the time we stepped in from till the time we moved out.
I couldn’t take it anymore and one day I started cutting his hair on my own and he started developing a trust in me .it’s been five years my son is seven I have been cutting his hair each and every time and my son is smiling from the time we start till we finish.
I am grateful for him to trust his mummy.
We haven't gone to the dentist yet... i am struggling to brush his teeth..but i don't give up...the haircut is a great success...i don't know what exactly worked...we just go regularly to a specific hairdresser...she is really nice and the she gave him some toys the first times..or a chocolate...so he now sits by himself (with a tablet) he doesnt mind the sound of the hair clipper ...sometimes he wants to help the hairdresser!
You did so well with your children. I was wondering if this would be easy. Stories work well and if they hear it again they truly understand. At first my child would scream if a hair got on the body. It was a crazy scare. My child would stiff up. Now my child is doing so much better also. You however did a surprisingly job well done with both the dentist and hairdresser. Great work! Really you sort of had a really good idea and the timing was just right for your child. I recommend a first visit just like you did. I sense it was helpful.
Thanks for the advice
Your videos are so incredibly helpful. Thank you!!!
Thank you for this video. Can totally relate 😫💖💖💖💖
You are amazing mum....
Thanks Tara you are helping me and lot of other mothers. Going to try the toothpaste you recommend.
Your channel is Amaaaaaaazing!!!!! Such good tips and all my sons “quirks” all of a sudden make sense..have spoke to the school where i think hes masking and hoping he gets assessed abit worried about how long that will take but researching in the mean while..just going to work through all your videos ❤️
Happy Holidays
Great video, you are helping me a lot with my son I felt lost...but watching these videos has given me hope 🙏🏼
This was a super helpful video. My son hates having his hair cut. Thank you for the tips!
Hi, I love watching your videos. Hair cuts we also struggled with. My Son didn't like the sound of the scissors cutting through his hair. After many screaming episodes, I was just to embarrassed to take him back to my hair dresser, did try doing it at home with the clippers many times, my poor husband having to distract him just made it worse. One day we tried again, but we offered him the clippers to hold, and he was amazing with them eagerly turning them on and off cut his own hair, let me tidy up the bits he missed.....what a relief. And when it came to going to the dentist, we asked if they could let him hold all buzzer sounded devices, let him put in his own mouth to clean first... and then it was easier for him to relax a little for the Dentist to have a go.
Thank you for your videos. My guy is 7 and your stories let me know I’m not alone. God bless
Great colors in the background (trees)
I myself am autistic and I have anxiety and I really don’t like going to the dentist at all
Two things we struggle with, brushing his teeth and hair cut. Thank you for your advice.
also with the hair cutting, it is quite a sensory activity, water being sprayed, the combing of hair, pulling ears to get to the fringe, noise of cutters, when you are older even the concept of having a straight razor neer you, (trimming the edge of the fringe :-)) , the brushes wiping the hair off the apron, all can scare or overwhelm you, so just take it slow, and YOU do it, as the parent, YOU are safe, they know you will not harm them, and also great idea to get an ice-cream after :-))) , gives them a reward for coping with this stressful activity!
Thank u
A extremely helpful video! Xx
Glad you think so!
Great advice for parents and caregivers!
thank you x
Thank you so much for this video. Taking my 3 year old son to the hairdresser is so difficult for me. He has thick straight hair and no matter what I try it's just very traumatizing. I shall try your tips and hope for the best ❤
I find every one of your videos super helpful. My son is 4 and non-verbal. He understands tone of voice but maybe two spoke words and a handful of sign language signs. At last evaluation he was at 15 months with language at five months. Is there any point in doing a social story or is there something you’d recommend for him? He has been though hundreds of medical appointments and fourteen surgeries/procedures so lots of PTSD and he just fights everything and has to be held down.
Yes The dentist any advice for brushing teeth it’s been a nitemare more so since getting is brace we try diff flavour toothpaste, even ordering softest Swiss toothbrush so we trying ! He may have to have a filling what do we put him in sedation or numbing Gas and air I dont think that will work ! Hairdressers iv been doing it since the experience put him off but want to get him in to be super cool bless , but he won’t let them cut it off or very short he loves his hair .💚💚
can u please do a slick straight low ponytail tutorial with a ton of hairspray?
I watch because your voice is soothing
Ah thank you x do you like my meditation video that I did x
I have been waiting on this topic. So thank you, i am going to watch it now. 😊
Wonderful!
hope it helps x
Excellent advice!! My son is in need of a professional haircut, instead of the haircuts I give him. Your tips give me hope and I’m eager to try them out. Much love from California!
my daughter was suffering from this diseases, but my doctor. He's already healed him; she's reacting well now.
I think we’ve tried over 10 toothpaste and the only one my asd 7 year old will do is the TOMS gel one no taste and it says for kids 0-24months. I figured it better that nothing but I’m going to grab this one you mention and hope we have a winner! I even bought one that taste like vanilla ice cream (which he loves the taste of but because it foamed he hated it)
Hello my friend..I changed my youtube account and this is my current name..we send you our love from Greece..looking forward for your new video and once again it was very helpful..
i had it better than most, my mum was a dental nurse!!, and the dentist let me stay for mum's fillings, and explained the procedures, science of how the filling systems worked, etc. this might help with him too :-).
haircuts were similar, had the SAME one each time, until he retired. also get him used to the motions, and as long as he knows how the cutter works, ie first cutting, then the water gun, more cutting, the dryer, then a comb and the clippers; you get used to THAT routine, and keep your head still, or even preempt the process, and angle your head so he can reach it. ( also be warned, they may use a cushion on the chair and the bib, have to get used to that one :-) ).
I struggle with toothbrushing but you guys saved my life with the auranurse struggled for years.
I am wondering does he struggle with hair washing and stuff? Cos if so any advice? 💙💙 love ur vids so helpful
I wonder if they make those light up tooth brushes for adults ?! I am 21 and I would totally use that brush because it’s so cool !
Please tell me if you would ever consider medication for autism adhd xx thanks for your amazing videos love your effort
Did you ever take him to Sally's on the Northcote Road?
I took my son there once just before lockdown and she was really nice and knew what to do with situations that the kids would feel uncomfortable with xx
I didn’t actually I took him to Trotters Hair’s because that was the place that had the fish I thought you might like I didn’t know that Sally is an out of there x
@@ComingHometoAutism we tried trotters at about 3 years old and he hated it he came out looking rather crazy lol. I then went on a behaviour workshop and they mentioned Sally's 4 kidz something like that and I phoned up and booked a appointment before lockdown and went and it went rather well and very Autisim friendly x
How to get my daughter to the Dentist and Hairdresser? Very very difficult. Toothbrushing is very difficult after 10 seconds she quits and don't want to move further. The good news she was very cooperative last week with the dentist yay! 😁
But hair and nails are still a disaster.
Wow. That's us. We are having a up coming dental procedure next week. More like surgery. This is our third one.
My son will be 3 in 2 weeks and he doesn't understand language yet so its been hard. Haircut we had a process. My son would sit on my husband and then I would distract my son with his tablet with his fav show so that would always work for us. The hardest part is when he saw the sizzors for his bangs. Now since covid we have to do it ourselves but same process and it works for us. Brushing teeth more difficult. We had a 360 toothbrush and he bit off the top. So the thicker brush we can only get a few seconds I guess better than nothing and then my son just wants the toothbrush himself to chew on after we r finished. We r still trying to figure out a better solution.
Thank you for the advice.. I will try to do this 🤗😊 as I remember my son when he got his first visit to a hairdresser to do a hair cut, it was a disaster 😭😩 he freaked out and screaming 😭😔 I don't know if it was because he was scared of the sound of the razor that might hurt him.. 😅🤔 and until now I don't know if I should bring him back to the hairdresser again or shall I just do our old routine which is I'm the one who cuts his hair off and wait until the time come that he will finally made it .. 😔😔😞
I need info re supplements that you would give/recommend for 3-year-old boy who is non verbal. Looking for help in the areas of nutritional support. It’s my Grandson who lives in USA so might not be same brands but wondering 💭 about the ingredients? I’m ordering your book day after tomorrow. Do you address this subject more in your book? I’m hoping so. Thx 😊 xoxo
I have sensory issues with the tipping back of the dentist chair and all the noises and smells and lights at the dentist and the dentist in my personal space and so i dont think petrified is even a big enough word for how i feel about the dentist. Even the thought of s dentist trip terrifies me. Its been at least 15 years since i went and i grind my teeth. So my teeth are a disaster. And to be paying hundreds of dollars to go isnt making the dentist any more appealing
Hi Fiona, I am very similar to you.
We are a very sensory family - and all teeth grinders. 3 of us have mouth guards. You can buy them quite cheaply on Amazon.
I have had to have the more expensive harder splint fitted though, recently, and while this is costly, my dentist is letting me pay it off.
Maybe this is an option for you also - you could discuss with your dentist?
I have a tremendous fear of the dentist that I’m trying really hard not to pass on to my children, and you might feel much better if you were to discuss this with your dentist at your visit.
I would suggest ear plugs and/or sunglasses while you’re in there to help with the sensory overload.
I ended up doing haircuts at home for my boys. It was slow progress, but now they are doing better with the haircuts. I suggest using a beard trimmer since they are more quiet with less likely for injuries than with scissors. I would also let them explore the beard trimmer and they could turn it off and on. I would hold the trimmer on their arm so they could feel the vibration. An iPad helps as well to distract them. My son will play one scene from Trolls World Tour when a troll gets their hair cut across on accident and another troll says, "Nice hair dude." He will play it repeatedly. I suggest to be creative and go at each child's own pace. Lots of love to all the other Autism families out there. ❤❤❤❤
So did I then my husband banned me because he said he look like Jim Carrey from dumb and dumber 🙈
I'm in love with your videos. They are soo.....helpful. At what age did you son first go to the dentist? Mine is 3 and I'm not sure he can tolerate anything
thank you . he was about 7 x
@@ComingHometoAutism thanks again. Im thinking he should be ok for now since he doesn't eat sweets and juices.
my daughter was suffering from this diseases, but my doctor. He's already healed him; she's reacting well now. I live in France
Autism is a condition, not a disease. fyi
My biggest issue with my ASD son and brushing teeth was he would clamp the brush and he would try to eat the toothpaste had to try to hide the tubes didn't work!
My grandson won’t even let you near his hair even when shop is empty or let you do it at home won’t go dentist either we know he’s autistic a lot of what your talking about he has the same symptoms he’s only three nearly 4 but they have only seen him for two half hour sessions and don’t see what we experience so say it’s just behaviour problems so mad can’t get anywhere with them it’s so upsetting 😢
Hello
Around what age do social stories start having an impact?
Would you consider medicine for Dylan n adhd son
No I haven’t tried any medicine on Luca I hadn’t tried any medicine until then until early this year when he was very sick and anxious and wasn’t eating I tried the medicine for about three days but only made him very sick so we decided to stop that in the end x
Hello! I'd like to ask when was the first time Dylan went ro dentist and how was his reaction when doctor did a check up? My little daughter has a dentist check up at her Childcare this week and I feel soo nervous about as she is just 2.8 y.o. and understand absolutely no words and she's non verbal, please help me!
Does medicine help autism n adhd xxx
I have high functioning Aspergers and I actually love both I find certain parts of both enjoyable
Hello!! My son is 2.9 mild autistic
I want to know how to improve his eye contact..
Personally, I do not think it to be necessary at that age. It also depends on the culture you live in.
Before we moved (back) to Germany when I was ten, my dad sat me down for half an hour each day and we'd chat just about anything, all the while he reminded me to not look at the wall/look for his eyes/where his face was... That was how I learned eye contact and I regulate it cognitively to this day (possibly slightly amplified by growing up learning to look at 1) eyes, 2) the mouth, 3) the ground or wall/not the face), and my favorite interactions are the ones with people who understand that it becomes SOOO much harder to focus on the conversation when forced to keep eye contact.
I once read the - amazing - advice to educate your child's surroundings on the non-importance of eye contact/that your child is still listening. Perhaps it is easier to teach them verbal feedback? (would be my personal preference; I am constantly "hm"-ing during conversations to show I am listening :))
@@tabitas.2719 thankyou ma'am
@@saanviarora408 You're very welcome! Lots of blessings and enjoyment with your son!!
@@tabitas.2719 hello ma'am! I want to ask about therepies.. my son saaket is taking OT, special education .. can we start his Speech and ABA? Plz advice
@@saanviarora408 I'm sorry; I cannot help with that as I have only noticed and looked into my autism for the past year, so I'm already in my twenties and have no experience with therapies - especially for children.
I hope and pray that someone (preferably from your country) reads this and had good advice that applies to that country, as every country is different with bureaucracy etc.
All the best!!!
I hate dentists and hairdressers. Hairdressers I'm getting better at but dentists hate it. Toothpaste Is horrible too. What's the name of the toothpaste you use?
I'm a banana
I don't like dentist or hairdressers fullstop
Haircuts... the bain of our lives.. 🙄