Snip, Snip, Hooray! Haircut Hacks for Stress-Free Trims

The Spark Learning Blog • Posted by Alix Naginski, MSc, RBT on March 27, 2026

Tips for calm, confident haircuts

Getting a haircut involves several steps that may be completely new for your child. From having someone unfamiliar touch their hair to hearing the buzz of clippers, it can be a challenging experience, especially for children on the spectrum. Preparing in advance and practicing toleration skills can help make the haircut go smoothly and build positive associations for future appointments.

Preparing for the Appointment

Find an experienced hairdresser or a salon that is friendly to all abilities. Having a new person in their space can feel overwhelming for your child, so knowing your hairdresser is comfortable working with children on the spectrum can help ease some worries. Creating a Social Story or using visuals is also helpful. Be as specific as possible and include as many steps as needed to ensure your child knows what to expect.

Building Comfort and Toleration

Gradually increase your child’s toleration of each step in the haircutting process. For example, if they’re comfortable with the buzzer near their head for 5 seconds, try extending it to 10 seconds, and continue slowly from there. Consistency is key, regular haircuts, especially for boys who may need them more often, help your child remember the sensations and sounds, building comfort over time.

Using Reinforcement and Breaks

Come prepared with reinforcement strategies! Bring your child’s favorite snacks, toys, or videos to keep them engaged and distracted from the haircut. If your child becomes frustrated, allow them to take breaks. Positive reinforcement and patience go a long way in creating a smooth, stress-free experience.

Small, simple steps!

Preparing and practicing for an upcoming appointment is the best way to make your child feel confident for their haircut. This helps your child walk in with a clear idea of what to expect. These are the steps we recommend focusing on first:

Practice wearing a cape
Hair brushing
Wetting the hair with a spray bottle
Brushing wet hair
The noise of the buzzer near them as you brush their hair
The buzzer making contact with their hand, shoulder and then head for increased periods of time (without cutting)
Cutting hair closer to the head with the buzzer or scissors to mimic the noise of hair cutting
Touching their ears, the back of their neck, around their face

Some of these steps are not necessary to completing a haircut and in some cases can be avoided to increase the chance of a successful haircut. For example, wearing a cape isn’t always crucial and longer hair wouldn’t require a buzzer.

By breaking the process into small steps and respecting your child’s individual sensory needs, you are setting them up for success both in the moment and for future appointments. Remember, progress may be gradual, and that’s okay. Every small win, whether it’s tolerating the sound of the buzzer a little longer or sitting calmly for hair brushing, is meaningful!

Join the Spark Family

Little Sparks – Our early intervention preschool and kinder program designed to build foundational skills through play-based ABA therapy.
Speech Therapy – Helping children develop communication skills with personalized, engaging speech and language support.
Summer Camp – A fun, inclusive program where kids build social skills and confidence through structured activities and play.
Social Skills & Group – Small-group ABA sessions that teach children how to engage, communicate, and navigate social situations.
Parent Training – Equipping parents with effective ABA strategies to support each child’s growth at home and beyond.

At Spark, we believe that ABA therapy should be engaging, natural, and, most importantly… fun! Our goal is to empower children, support families, and build confidence in every child we work with.

Ready to learn more? Reach out today!