Getting a hair cut can be a challenge for many kids. Especially if they have sensory differences.
Not only can it be difficult to find a patient and understanding hair stylist, but it's also tough to get through the whole experience without a meltdown (or two).
We personally cut our boys' hair at home ourselves due to these sensory differences. Well, there are other reasons too. But it's something we've always done and likely always will until the day they move out. After all, we want things like haircuts to be a positive experience.
One thing that's helpful for a lot of kids is to use a social story. Social stories can be a great way to help kids with the whole process of getting a haircut. You can walk them through what to expect or why they might need a haircut. You can outline rules and expectations about what to do during the haircut. You can describe the tools. That kind of thing.
To make things even easier for you, I've put together a list of free social stories about haircuts for you below. Printable and video stories have been included so there's plenty of options for you to consider, regardless of whether you want to use a premade haircut story or write your own.
This collection of social stories about hair cutting was last updated on April 20, 2024. New stories were added (including video ones!), dead links were removed, and more details were provided to make sure you can find what you need quicker.
Free Social Stories About Haircuts
Have you been looking for haircut social story? Then look no further than these free haircuts social stories. Some require you to have a Teachers Pay Teachers account (which is free!) before you can download them.
I've rounded up some options for you to explore. That way you can find the best hair cutting social story for you and your child. Or you can simply use ideas from different stories below to write your own custom story (free social story templates here to help).
Please note that just because a social story is listed here does not mean I endorse its content. After all, many social stories tend to be poorly written and/or teach autistic masking. Besides, I haven't read all of these stories word for word myself. So please read through the stories carefully before using them with your child.
1. I'm Getting a Haircut Social Story from Kids' Hair - While this story is specific to going to a place called Kids' Hair, it can easily be adapted to other locations or experiences. It uses full color photos instead of clipart, which is always appreciated. Also, how freaking cool is it that this hair salon thought to put this story together in the first place?!
2. Getting a Haircut Social Story from Special Education and Autism Resources for You on TPT - This story uses clipart and simple text to outline the process of getting a haircut. It also includes a page that summarizes some basic rules to follow.
3. Getting a Haircut Social Story from SpeechThink on TPT - An 8 page story about getting a haircut that uses clipart and a PowerPoint theme that looks straight out of the early 2000s haha...This story might be editable since it's in PowerPoint format.
4. Happy Haircuts Simplified Social Story from Your Kids OT - This story is super basic, but uses full color photos. Since the story is so simple, it really doesn't go into depth about all of the steps involved in getting a haircut, nor does it touch on what the child might experience or feel.
5. Example Haircut Social Story from Raising Children - This story is text only and gives you a good idea of how you could write your own social story. There are lots of great tips about going to appointments included here as well.
6. I Can Get My Hair Cut! Social Story from Therapy Materials Vault on TPT - While this story uses clipart, it actually includes kids with different skin tones. Yay for representation!
7. Going to the Barbershop Social Story from The Shop on the Ave - Here's another story written by a specific barbershop about what it's like to go there for a haircut. It includes a lot of photos, but does use some clipart as well.
8. Two Getting a Haircut Social Stories from Happy Learners - There are two stories here about haircuts. They are both text only and do not include images. One is called "Getting a Haircut" and the other is called "Getting my Haircut."
9. Getting a Haircut with Masks Social Stories from Autism Little Learners - This story was originally written during the pandemic, but it may still be helpful for you. It is available in English, French, and Turkish.
Video Social Stories About Hair Cutting
Here are some video social stories that talk about what it's like to go to a barbershop or hair salon for a haircut. You can use these in teletherapy sessions or at home. Videos are always a great alternative to printing off a story.
Like the stories above, some of the wording in these videos aren't always great. But I wanted to make sure you had lots of different options for walking your kids through the hair cutting process.
Well, that's it for the free social stories about haircuts. Hopefully you were able to find something that will be a good fit for explaining the hair cutting process.
