My experiences as a barber began when I was 15 years old and my little brother with autism was just 6 years old. He wasn’t only my brother. He felt like my own son. As the eldest in our family, I played a paternal role and we shared a deep bond. I understood him in ways no one else could.

In the early 2000s, autism was not widely understood in our community in Libya. Most barbers had no idea how to handle a child with autism. Some were afraid. Others simply refused. I still remember the look on my father’s face when another barber said, “I don’t know how to deal with him.” The pain that I saw in my father’s face changed everything for me.

So, I picked up the clippers myself. I didn’t learn from school or online videos. I learned from real-world experience, love, patience, and persistence. The first haircuts presented numerous challenges. My brother cried. He moved. Sometimes I cried, too. But over time, haircut by haircut, we built trust. He felt safe because I wasn’t just a barber— I was his brother.

Eventually, I became a professional barber. Word spread about my abilities and approach with special needs clients. Parents began to bring their children with autism to me— not because of how I cut hair, but because I understood. My shop became a safe space where every child was respected and every parent felt seen.

One day, I was invited to share my story on a local TV show. It was then that I realized that this was never just about hair. It was about dignity. It was about hope. And what started as a promise to my brother with autism has become a lifelong mission—to make haircuts safe, comfortable, and dignified for every child with autism.

Understanding Autism and Haircuts

To most people, a haircut is just a routine task. But for a person with autism, it can be overwhelming, even traumatic. Haircuts are often difficult for children with autism due to sensory sensitivity (loud clippers, unfamiliar touch, vibrations, and smells), communication challenges (the autistic individual may struggle to express fear or discomfort), new environments (salons are filled with bright lights, new faces, unfamiliar sounds) and past trauma (a negative haircut experience can lead to long-term fear and resistance). What might seem small to us can be a major sensory and emotional challenge for them. That’s why every haircut should be approached with understanding, flexibility, and care.

The Core Principle

For this special population, the foundation of any successful haircut strategy is an understanding and acceptance that every child with autism is unique. No single method works for everyone. The first step is always to talk to the parents or caregivers to better understand the individual. Crucial questions that the barber should ask include the following:

What are their child’s sensory triggers (sound, touch, smell)?

What are their calming interests, toys, shows, or songs?

How do they respond to new environments or routines?

Are there specific things to avoid?

What might their ideal haircut experience look like?

Practical Strategies for Autism-Friendly Haircuts

It is important to create a familiar and safe environment. At-home haircuts are ideal as the home is usually the most comfortable place for the individual. It removes salon stressors and offers a sense of control and familiarity.

Play calming media is also recommended. For example, playing the individual’s favorite cartoon or song during the haircut can be a soothing distraction and drown out scary sounds.

Incorporating comforting objects/tools and bringing along a favorite toy or item can often ease anxiety and build trust.

The use of social stories, visual schedules, and visual guides showing each step of the haircut process can help prepare the child and reduce fear of the unknown.

Depending on the individual, if clippers are too loud to tolerate, it is advisable to reduce sensory overload by using quiet clippers or just scissors.

Deep pressure provided by weighted blankets or vests can have a calming effect.

Finally, taking breaks and allowing rest periods during the haircuts can make a big difference.

Tools & Styles

In my experience, I’ve found that hairstyles that are simple, clean, and easy to maintain are well received by this population as well as haircuts that involve gradual transitions and avoid sharp lines or irritation.  Instead of overstimulating razors, I opt to use tools that are more gentle, offer quiet operation and low vibration (to reduce sensory overload), and are non-invasive. Cordless tools allow freedom to move around and help with tricky angles.

Autism-Centered Mobile Haircut Service

In the future, I hope to open an autism-centered mobile haircut service van featuring a calming and spacious design, including soft colors to provide a calming effect, and equipped with comforting features such as a TV screen, calming visuals, and a speaker system to play relaxing or favorite music.

The location of the mobile haircut van would be flexible, allowing the client to choose from several locations such as their home, the park, beach—wherever they feel safest.  Familiar spaces result in less anxiety and better cooperation.

Providing ample time, patience, and understanding will be key features of our approach. We will focus entirely on the client’s comfort, we will not rush, we will allow breaks and will proceed at the client’s pace, and we will consider scheduling only one appointment per day if necessary.

Finally, only trusted adults or family members will be present during the haircut experience.  We will avoid the presence of other people or distractions.

Conclusion

What began as an act of love for my brother has become my life’s mission. By understanding sensory needs, listening to families, and creating a calming and respectful space, we can change the haircut experience for individuals with autism, making it not only manageable but even perhaps enjoyable.

Let’s move beyond clippers and razors.

Let’s build trust, dignity, and connection — one haircut at a time.

Mohamed Abridan Alabaide
2026

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The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the NLM Family Foundation.