Free Pictures for a Hairdresser Visit: Visual Supports for Autistic and Non-Speaking People

Satu V

1 day ago

2 min read

A haircut can be a difficult situation for a profoundly autistic and non-speaking person. The cape sits against the neck, scissors move close to the ears, the clippers buzz and loose hair itches the skin. The person has to sit still for a long time and may not be able to say that something feels bad.

Pictures make the visit predictable. When the steps can be seen in advance and in the same order as they happen, the hair salon is no longer a completely unknown place.

A hairdresser visit in pictures

The Lainattu Rauha® picture bank has pictures for the whole visit. Here they are in the order a typical haircut goes:

Hair salon
Hairdresser
Hairdresser chair
Wearing a haircutting cape
Haircut with scissors
Haircut with clippers
Done

Hair salon
Hairdresser
Hairdresser chair
Wearing a haircutting cape
Haircut with scissors
Haircut with clippers
Done

If the hair is cut with scissors only, there is no need to show the clippers picture. You can arrange the pictures to match each visit.

When sound or touch is too much

The sound of the clippers and the feeling on the neck are the hardest part of the visit for many. With the pictures, the person can show that the sound is too loud or that they need a break. Tell the hairdresser in advance what the pictures mean.

Loud noise
I cover my ears
I show a break card

Pictures for adults too

Hair care is part of adult life too. Combing hair is also available as an adult man and an adult woman. The picture bank already has over 700 pictures of adults, and more are added as needed.

I comb my hair, adult man
I comb my hair, adult woman

How to use the pictures

Look at the pictures together for a few days before the visit. Repetition makes them familiar.
Choose only the pictures that belong to this particular visit.
Take the pictures with you to the salon and show each picture when that step begins.
Tell the hairdresser about the pictures. They can also show a picture before each step.
When the haircut is done, show the Done picture and what happens next.

Download the pictures for free

The Lainattu Rauha® picture bank has over 2,600 pictures for everyday life with profound autism. Every picture is available in colour and in black and white, and you can type your own text on a picture before printing. The picture bank is free and needs no sign-up.

Search for example for hairdresser or hair to find the hairdresser pictures and the hair care pictures.

Open the free picture bank