Hi, I have an autistic 11 year old daughter. We have always had issues with hair washing but recently it is becoming impossible to wash her hair properly. She says it hurts when rubbing in the shampoo, we have let her do it herself as she made so much fuss when we did it (we were extremely gentle but she screamed how much it hurt), but she says it hurts when she washes her own hair. Any suggestions on how to move forward with hair washing as it always ends in a meltdown. Or anyone else experience this with their own child?
Maybe play her favorite music or let her choose a special toy to hold while you wash her hair. You could also try washing her hair in the bath instead of the shower, as it might feel less overwhelming.
I can really relate to your struggle; my friend faced similar challenges with her autistic son during hair wash time. One thing that helped them was using a really gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. It made a big difference for him!
Creating a calming routine around hair washing, like playing soothing music or using a visual schedule, could also help. Sometimes, letting them choose a special towel or a fun hair accessory can make the experience more enjoyable.
