Hair care and Personal Hygiene for Autistic & Learning disabilities
Practical Routines That Work
The morning is here, everyone is running late, today's shower has been particularly difficult, and cannot tolerate a comb near their head. A support worker has tried reminders, different products, yet still ends in distress.
Difficulty with personal care is not laziness or stubbornness, it involves sensory overload, anxiety and sometimes low mood. The same person may manag their hair on a monday, but by wednesday cannot stand the thought of peronal hygiene.
At London Sensory Hair Care, we understand that personal hygiene is part of health, dignity, confidence and mental wellbeing. The routines below are part of health, dignity, confidence and mental wellbeing, based on published UK NHS, occupational therapy and learning disability guidance, including advice from the NHS Humber Sensory Processing Service, NHS Lanarkshire Occupational Therapy and NICE.
Why personal care can be genuinely hard for some children and adults with autism and learning disabilities.
Hair touching the eyes can be uncomfortable.
Unexpected touch around the head, face and ears, (always ask for permission before touching).
The sounds from clippers, may trigger the individual based on bad past bad experiences.
Rough handling of the individual's head without calm touch.
Strong smells from products (including, shampoo, perfume and conditioner).
Some of these are sensory processing differences across touch, hearing, sight, smell, movement and body awareness:
A cape around the neck or a fixed shower head can feel frightening rather than helpful.
The NHS Lanarkshire OT guidance recommends breaking activities of daily living into smaller steps, using visual prompts, timers and consistent routines. Small changes to the environment often work better than asking someone to “try harder”.
At London Sensory Hair Care, we believe, every individual has the right to accessible care, privacy, patience and respect. Hair care is part of personal wellbeing and mental, and support should always begin with dignity.
Takeaway
- Choose inclusive special needs hairdresser and barber like London Sensory Hair care who respect consent, communication and sensory needs.
- Ask for permission touching before touching, explain and agree a stop signal.
- Treat hair care and personal hygiene as health and dignity care.
- Use firm, predictable touch and regulation strategies where appropriate.