[Misc] Children with sensory issues

darkwolf666 · Mar 22, 2018

I know there are myriad different family set ups behind the keyboard and computer screens of NSC, so I am sure someone on here will have experience and advice to give.

My wife and I look after a little boy of 19 months who has a host of issues, one of them being he has sensory issues. For the most part we use coping strategies to get round things like unexpected loud noises, textures of foods, etc., however the one thing that is causing us on going problems is hair!

Our little lad won't sit still while having his hair brushed or combed and has gone into full blown meltdown on the two occasions someone has attempted to cut his hair.

Does anyone here have any experience or advice as to how we deal with this relatively minor problem.

Brighthelmstone · Mar 22, 2018

Gaffa tape?

On a serious note, tried cutting it when asleep? thats what we have to do with our daughters nails as she has similar outbursts. for combing hair we found havign her favorite show on the TV worked a lot. Differnet for every child i guess.

Stat Brother · Mar 22, 2018

Not from any experience so probably bollox but my first thought was getting one of those seriously scary-arsed, now probably politically incorrect, 'head' toys that girls used to have to practice make-up on.

If your boy can happily brush hair (without taking your eye out) he might then have his done.

Either that or it'll scare the sweet b'jesus out of him, and you'll be able to threaten him with 'the head' unless he has his hair combed. :lol:

The Andy Naylor Fan Club · Mar 22, 2018

You or your wife could have a brush and give a brush to the boy, try to encourage him to do his own hair by copying you. Or you could even let him brush your hair and he will see that there is nothing to be affraid of. Good luck.

Harry Wilson's tackle · Mar 22, 2018

Mrs T says use detangling spray and encourage kid to brush hair themself. Offer reward too. We have to manage things here with rewards and denials of rewards (punishment as it was once called). But you know all about that anyway....my best offer is italicised.

He says, looking at the nipper who won't have a plaster fully removed, so we had to cut it in half and leave a bit attached... :lolol:

Good luck

alfredmizen · Mar 22, 2018

darkwolf666 said:
I know there are myriad different family set ups behind the keyboard and computer screens of NSC, so I am sure someone on here will have experience and advice to give.

My wife and I look after a little boy of 19 months who has a host of issues, one of them being he has sensory issues. For the most part we use coping strategies to get round things like unexpected loud noises, textures of foods, etc., however the one thing that is causing us on going problems is hair!

Our little lad won't sit still while having his hair brushed or combed and has gone into full blown meltdown on the two occasions someone has attempted to cut his hair.

Does anyone here have any experience or advice as to how we deal with this relatively minor problem.

Not really anything to add except to say hats off to you and your wife , I give money to sense but it obviously pales into comparison with what you do , like I say , hats off mate .

darkwolf666 · Mar 22, 2018

Thanks guys, knew people would be helpful.

The hair brushing isn't so much of an issue and with the provision of a good routine can be managed.

It is the hair cut that is causing us problems - he is starting to develop quite a mane!

darkwolf666 · Mar 22, 2018

alfredmizen said:
Not really anything to add except to say hats off to you and your wife , I give money to sense but it obviously pales into comparison with what you do , like I say , hats off mate .

Thanks very much, I know we have had our run-ins so all the more appreciated.

Not looking for any further plaudits I would add we look after 3 children who were previously LAC all of which have issues of varying degrees. It has caused us no end of stress, and probably has changed our relationship, but it has been worth the upheaval for what we can see has changed within the children.

Razzoo · Mar 22, 2018

There are sympathetic barbers out there who specialise in this problem. Maybe take him in the first time and let him watch someone having their haircut to show him it's safe and to get him used to the idea?

The Upper Library · Mar 22, 2018

Our daughter - now ten years old has endured sensory processing issues all her life . This has included hair brushing etc.
Also tactile issues around clothing and certain sounds. This then manifests itself in on occasions extreme emotional reactions and sometimes physical violence.

Further to others' comments we have found the use of weighted blankets or a gentle shoulder squeeze has helped. On a practical level De tangling spray and looking at different brushes has also helped. In terms of hair cuts we have found that having a hairdressing friend do home visit was at initially the best method. She has now started going to a salon - but does keep her hair long so cutting is kept to minimum.

One thing we did start to realise was that her sensory difficulties and emotional/ aggressive outbursts were made far worse if she was transitioning between activities.

Things have definitely improved over recent years - once she could start to verbalise what she was having to cope with it seemed to give her a bit more control . We are not totally out of the woods but we are getting there.

I Really admire what you are doing and wish you all the best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

darkwolf666 · Mar 22, 2018

Razzoo said:
There are sympathetic barbers out there who specialise in this problem. Maybe take him in the first time and let him watch someone having their haircut to show him it's safe and to get him used to the idea?

Again good advice, thank you. We are aware of a local hairdresser who will home visit and works with children with autism, so maybe I'll give them a shout.

darkwolf666 · Mar 22, 2018

The Upper Library said:
Our daughter - now ten years old has endured sensory processing issues all her life . This has included hair brushing etc.
Also tactile issues around clothing and certain sounds. This then manifests itself in on occasions extreme emotional reactions and sometimes physical violence.

Further to others' comments we have found the use of weighted blankets or a gentle shoulder squeeze has helped. On a practical level De tangling spray and looking at different brushes has also helped. In terms of hair cuts we have found that having a hairdressing friend do home visit was at initially the best method. She has now started going to a salon - but does keep her hair long so cutting is kept to minimum.

One thing we did start to realise was that her sensory difficulties and emotional/ aggressive outbursts were made far worse if she was transitioning between activities.

Things have definitely improved over recent years - once she could start to verbalise what she was having to cope with it seemed to give her a bit more control . We are not totally out of the woods but we are getting there.

I Really admire what you are doing and wish you all the best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good to hear things are improving for you - there is no manual that comes with parenting, and parenting children with issues is challenging!

We have looked into weighted blankets for bedtime to settle him, but feel our man is too young at the moment. Instead at bedtime I have to sit by his cot with my hands gently on his legs, this gives him the comfort he needs to settle and he falls asleep in 10 to 15 minutes, whereas before finding this routine it was hours!!!

Hope things continue to improve with your daughter and good luck and thanks...

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[Misc] Children with sensory issues

More options

darkwolf666

Well-known member

Brighthelmstone

Well-known member

Stat Brother

Well-known member

The Andy Naylor Fan Club

Well-known member

Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle

alfredmizen

Banned

darkwolf666

Well-known member

darkwolf666

Well-known member

Razzoo

Well-known member

The Upper Library

New member

darkwolf666

Well-known member

darkwolf666

Well-known member

Share this page

Forum statistics

Online statistics

Newest members

Share this page