As a neurodivergent getting my hair cut is not high up there on my priorities in fact my hair has a will of its own so much so I’m surprised it’s not running the country. I do go to the hairdressers but I find it stressful as it’s full of beautiful people confident chatting away to their hairdresser s about their daring plans.
I sit there as meek as anything but I do try to convey what I want a haircut that will look after itself . People will never tame my spirit and I fail why I should try and alter the will of my hair . I’m never going to have swishy hair but secretly it doesn’t mean I don’t covet that thought just a little bit.
There have been times when I have to confess I have trimmed my own fringe though trimmed is a bit quite right .I think one would bluntly say hacked within an inch of its life .So what advice can I offer ?
1 Ask a hairdresser s when their quiet times are and explain your neurodivergent. I’d do this by email maybe unless someone can ring for you.If you feel confident perhaps stagger your visit s , first getting your hair washed then fringe cut that way building up to a haircut.
Getting a haircut as an adult neurodivergent individual can sometimes be a challenging experience. Here are some strategies to help make the process more comfortable and less stressful:
Preparation
Research and Choose the Right Salon:
Look for salons that have experience working with neurodivergent clients.
Read reviews or ask for recommendations from others in the neurodivergent community.
Call ahead to explain your needs and ask if they can accommodate any special requests.
Set a Comfortable Time:
Choose a time when the salon is likely to be less crowded and quieter.
Early morning or late afternoon appointments can often be less busy.
Communicate Your Needs:
Be upfront about any sensory sensitivities or anxieties.
Let the stylist know if you have preferences for how you like to be touched or if you need breaks.
Bring Comfort Items:
Bring headphones to listen to calming music or a podcast.
Carry a fidget toy or stress ball to help manage anxiety.
Visual Aids:
Show pictures of the haircut you want.
Use a social story or visual schedule if that helps you prepare for the experience.
During the Haircut
Sensory Considerations:
Wear a cape that isn’t too tight or irritating.
Ask the stylist to be gentle when washing or cutting your hair.
Let the stylist know if you need a break or if something is uncomfortable.
Use Clear Communication:
If verbal communication is difficult, consider writing down your preferences or using a communication app.
Give feedback during the haircut if something isn’t right.
Take Your Time:
Don’t rush the process. It’s okay to take breaks if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Schedule extra time for the appointment so you don’t feel pressured.
After the Haircut
Reward Yourself:
Plan a small reward or treat after the haircut as positive reinforcement.
Reflect on what went well and what could be improved for next time.
Self-Care:
Engage in a relaxing activity after the haircut to decompress.
Use grounding techniques or sensory calming methods if needed.
General Tips
Find a Regular Stylist:
Building a relationship with a stylist who understands your needs can make future visits easier.
Practice at Home:
If possible, practice having someone touch or comb your hair at home to build tolerance.
See if a mobile hairdresser can come to you , being in your own environment can make you feel more relaxed.
By preparing in advance, communicating your needs clearly, and creating a supportive environment, you can make the experience of getting a haircut more manageable and less stressful.
Staring at a blank page one often does not know what to write , will it be popular will it turn peoples heads , there was a time when blog post writings were eaten with such a vicarious apetite no one could churn the worlds out fast enough . But times change and blogging dynasties rise and fall and empowerment and self worth are pushed the forefront sometimes with no means of how to achieve this nirvana . Now I have been blogging for many a year with my blog nipping in recent times and I wondered do people still care and the answer is it does not matter as I really want to get the words down.
As life pootles on by so much has happened and I start to feel I haven't kept pace with my own thoughts as I don't have anyone of late to turn as people are busy with their own lives and problems and I don't want to be a worry wart to them. But I will get there and I need either myself or my friends to reach out of the chasm of quiet.There is wonder in the world and I just need to go about finding it again and embracing the joy into my own life again and put the fragments of it all back together gain.So here I am back again and I will not let the blank page defeat me anymore.
Sometimes you do have to shout out the world noise and focus on your self for a while and whilst the silence from the outside world can leave you thinking no one cares ( please see first paragraph ) there is a way through it. Some people are just natural pied piers of peoples and anything they do is met with an Oscar nomination and this is one of the things of the world . I know my vibe and that is ok and people do get my vibe and I really don't care if they don't . And when people do say hey lets meet etc as an autistic person I can go into a flat tail spin as it is OMG people!
Seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult can have several benefits:
Self-Understanding and Acceptance: A diagnosis can provide clarity about your experiences, behaviors, and challenges. Understanding that these are part of being autistic can foster self-acceptance and reduce feelings of confusion or self-criticism.
Access to Support and Resources: With a diagnosis, you may become eligible for specific support services, accommodations, and resources. This can include therapy, support groups, educational resources, and workplace accommodations.
Mental Health Benefits: Many adults with undiagnosed autism may struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Knowing the root cause of these issues can lead to more effective treatment and coping strategies.
Improved Relationships: Understanding your communication style and sensory needs can help improve relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. It can also help them understand you better, fostering more supportive and empathetic interactions.
Workplace Accommodations: A diagnosis can provide the basis for requesting reasonable accommodations at work, such as adjustments to the work environment, changes in communication methods, or flexible work arrangements.
Community and Connection: Being diagnosed can connect you to a community of other autistic individuals, providing a sense of belonging and opportunities to share experiences and strategies.
Empowerment: Knowledge is empowering. Understanding your neurodiversity can help you advocate for yourself more effectively in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional settings.
Guidance for Future Planning: A diagnosis can help you and your loved ones plan for the future, considering your specific needs and strengths. This can be especially useful in making decisions about careers, living arrangements, and social activities.
If you suspect you might be autistic, seeking a diagnosis can be a significant step towards understanding and improving your quality of life
When choosing stocking fillers for your kids or teens you know that you'll want to choose either those edible gifts that will they will want to share with you ( highly unlikely but we can all believe in the dream can't we !? ) or a stocking filler that will last the test of time and not break within minutes leaving you both frustrated.This is where Wicked Uncle comes in with age gifts and you can even choose to have the gifts wrapped at an additional cost with £ for the first present and £ for subsequence presents. Particularly difficult to choose for are 10 years old boys but this is where Wicked Uncle comes to your rescue with a perfect choice for gifts for 10 year old boys
Shopping with Wicked Uncle is easy and you will find no end of inspiration with it remembering the occasion say it be a birthday for the following year. Delivery is swift through Royal Mail and you are alerted of this this through text and email. And you can trust in the knowledge that all the gifts are quality tested by Wicked Uncles toy testers.
My first choice of stocking filler is chocolate ! and who on earth can resist that that ?! Chocolate in the shape of a game controller is very apt for the ten year old boy age group.
Game Controller - Milk Chocolate, Take a Break!
£5.99
Next up for the gift I recommend is one I would very much love for myself !
Flexible geometric puzzle with endless variations for busy fingers.
£10.99
The perfect fidget toy, very tactile and satisfying to play with, the Dynacube is a one-piece puzzle that you can just fiddle with for ages. Create over 100 different shapes as you work through the puzzle booklet to solve each challenge. The first shapes are easy to do, but how about the other 100? Pick it up and you'll never want to put it down - fidget, fidget!
PLEASE NOTE : Colour and design will be picked at random to add to the fun!
The next choice is fun and who again can resist chocolate
White Chocolate Smartphone - Truly Tasty Tech!
£5.99
Delicious 14cm chocolate treat - for the mobile phone fanatic.
What I love about Wicked Uncle is not only the choice of its on their fabulous site but the fact they are a family run business who are very passionate and connected in what they do. They stock everything in their warehouse ,hand - wrap and hand write every card, everything they do is done with worker welfare in mind from warehouse to office. The MD even pitches in on the warehouse floor to help out.
So do make sure you make Wicked Uncle your first choice for all your gifting needs for your kids and teens and also you can ship for adults do as who doesn't love that chocolate game controller for example
And my last choice of gift is
Jelly Eyeballs - Strawberry & Frightfully Tasty!
£6.99
Squidgy eyeball sweets with a gooey strawberry flavour - gruesome!
What do I love about being a mum or Mummy, mm tough one I could go a sugary sentimental journey but hat just not me. So what I love the most perhaps the up most is arguing with my son.
A puzzling choice , not a knee jerk reaction of a other? read on then you will see why I love with my son after all every good story has a truely heart felt conclusion doesn't it.
Well when J was born he was a normal baby until all the problems started happening, the constant eczema which is inherited. The sudden coughing fits and gastric problems. the fussy eating, the projectile vomiting.
As he grew then there was the sudden tiredness and falling asleep anywhere ( asthma ) the allergy to food colourings. The inability to live my side, his allergy to cats ( we had to get rid of our cat)s. yes J was one nervous child constant trips to the hospital seeing various medical professionals.
Then more problems came then there was the problem with him being slightly sugar slow and then the bouts of anemia.
Whilst I appreciate these problems aren't as severe as many problems experience with their child of children it is still heartbreaking as well..
Throughout out this I had noticed that J was not communicating , he had passed his baby hearing test hardly rocket science when he took it.
J was born in September 1998 and looking at an entry from his health book dated June 2000 that he has made little progress with his speech. The silly health visitor said his comprehension appeared good, well it wasn't I assure you. The toing and froing continued with the health visitors still ignoring me. This continued until around October 2001 when J still wasn't really speaking. Eventually after basically a sit in protest at the doctors we got a referral to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Glue ear. He had his operation to have grommets inserted after the usual long weight for an the operation.
Progress was slow but really came into its own on a holiday to Center Parcs in March 2002 when he was three and a half We were on our bikes and J was in a child seat behind me, a squirrel ran in front of me and J said " Bloody Squirrel" and j repeated this all day.
J had been learning sign language at nursery and and a least now there was a focus on his language skills , of course this had now developed. He was a slow learner at Infant School because of his previous problems, nervous and clingy. We had problems with parties etc he still wouldn't leave my side till he was nearly seven. I just plonked him into beavers one day and ran , same with football cruel but kind and as a result he developed.
So that's why I love arguing with him he has developed into a heartfelt young boy who knows his own mind and is making his own way in the world. He is an academic high fly er play rugby for our County , top sport mans for the schooll. Plays a musical instrument he is an all rounder. What more could I ask for than an argument about his sock draw...?
