Superb Barber Turns Haircut Right into a Recreation for Younger Boy with Autism
One mother recently turned to Instagram to brag about her son’s hairdresser, whom she calls “a blessing”.
Barber Ree has always worked patiently and creatively with LaQuista Erinna’s son Jackson, who has autism. But lately she’s had to work really hard to keep him calm because he forgot to bring the headphones he normally uses when cutting his hair.
“She was always so patient and kind to Jack-Jack,” LaQuista wrote on her Instagram page. “Yesterday was an epic meltdown. I usually have to do some coaching to get him into the chair. He puts on his headphones and we go through. Yesterday he forgot his headphones and things went downhill quickly. He refused to sit on the chair and just lost it. “
Thankfully, however, Ree had a few extra tricks up her sleeve to help her deal with Jackson’s behavior that day. In a brilliant move, she suggested making the haircut a game.
“Ree noticed his Super Mario Bros hoodie (he’s obsessed with restraint) and told him that he had to save Mario by making sure his hair didn’t get on,” wrote LaQuista. “She cut his hair while he was moving and walking around the store. His smile at the end was priceless. ”
The video below shows the six-year-old boy visibly enjoying walking around the small barber shop while Ree chases after him, cutting small strands of hair every time she can catch up with him. She talks to him throughout the process, encouraging him, and reminding him of the game to keep him occupied.
“I was so moved by the patience and care shown to my son and decided to take in. Little did I know the video was going viral or that so many parents of kids on the spectrum would reach out to me to share their story, ”says LaQuista.
The video went viral quickly, and for good reason. There are certainly not many hairdressers like Ree.
“@Expozdcutz (embellish your name) has been a blessing to my family. If your child is on the spectrum, people don’t want to be harassed, ”says LaQuista in the video’s caption.
To ensure that Ree can continue to take more time to do great work for kids on the spectrum, LaQuista created a GoFundMe page for them. So far, the site has raised about $ 2,800.
LaQuista hopes this video will help raise awareness of the difficulties many people on the autism spectrum have with haircuts and other similar sensory experiences.
“Getting hairstyles can be scary and even traumatizing for someone with ASD. She cultivated this relationship and won his trust. Haircuts are still creepy for Jack-Jack, but we try to make it as comfortable as possible and NEVER force him to cut, ”she says.
Check out the video below to see this very special hairdresser at work!
