A barber has started a training course to cut the hair of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Charlene Wayland, from Toxteth, provides the ASD barber service for children and adults in Peace Barbers. Along with regular haircuts, Charlene provides private ASD haircuts to clients without the noise and congestion of a waiting area of customers.
The training was given a trial run at the beginning of 2022 and now Charlene is offering her Peaceful Cuts training at her shop on Childwall Fiveways. Charlene told the ECHO: "At the beginning I learnt through my customers and gained the skills necessary.
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"I can now pass on these skills to parents through my training. I've been doing ASD haircuts for over eight years now and the hours I offer are fully booked all the time due my own regular clientele.
"Some children before their haircut, myself or their parents may talk to them to get them relaxed, others have varied routines they carry out before I can get them to sit in the chair. I'm not going to be teaching you to be a barber, I'm teaching how to manage your own child's hair, or the individual in question.
"For me, the most important thing is for the child (or adult) to feel safe. At times parents of children can be tearful and distressed due to the child being stressed during their haircut. I've never heard of anyone offering this service”.
Jennifer Tyon-Carr whose son Leo, seven, has been using the service for six years and has a blog on Instagram, Leo's Autism Journey, said: "Leo only had his hair cut a couple of times and each time felt worse than before. Everyone was staring at us, feeling judged, people making comments about him.
"Finding Charlene almost felt meant to be. The second you walk in the atmosphere is different, it's welcoming, relaxed and no matter how much of a hard day Leo is having Charlene is patient, kind and caring. We've never looked back.
"She treats him like a person, and responds to his needs, accommodating whatever she can. Leo finds it hard to trust people, so it says a lot because he adores Charlene, as do I for all the help, support and friendship she has given us over the years.
"The course she offers is something else. It's a step above and so innovative. She recognises what families may need and does everything she can to cater to them.
"Charlene is one in a million and we’re grateful for everything she does. A haircut may seem so little to some but honestly, if you're from an autism family, you will get it".
Charlene continued: “The best part is when parents who have travelled from as far as Wigan and Wales have told me their child is now comfortable getting the hair cut and can take them to a local barber. For me that is a great success”.
Peaceful Cuts provides trainees with their own barbers kit. Charlene has applied for Lottery funding to also offer training to people who are unemployed or from low income families.
The two day course is 9 - 3pm or evenings for people who cannot make these times. For training information visit Peace Barbers on Instagram HERE
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