For Al and Ramona Nicolau, a 530-mile journey for a haircut is worth it. Their seven-year-old son, Alex, who is autistic, used to dread haircuts. The noise and environment of a typical salon caused him to shake and jerk.
The family found the Blade Inclusive Salon in Lowestoft, Suffolk. This salon specializes in haircuts for people with neurodivergent needs. Even after moving from Norfolk to Aberdeen, Scotland, in 2022, they still travel to Suffolk four times a year. These trips often coincide with visits to Alex's grandad.
Al says Alex is now calm and even looks forward to his haircuts. He explains that other places were a "fight and battle," but the sensory room at Blade has made a huge difference.
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Caroline Parnis, who has ADHD, owns the Blade Inclusive Salon. She has been a hairdresser for 20 years and created The Sensory Studio about seven years ago. This special room has fidget toys, cars, animals, books, and wall projections. It offers a calm space away from the busy main salon floor.
Caroline explains that many clients struggle not just with the haircut itself, but also with the sensory experience of hair falling on them, wearing a gown, and the sound of clippers. She focuses on building trust, often starting with scissors before moving to clippers. Many of her clients have had traumatic haircut experiences, so breaking down those barriers is key.
Alex used to have meltdowns during haircuts, but now he enjoys them. His father, Al, notes that Caroline adapts to Alex's movements, which is crucial. The calming setting of the studio also helps. Alex can play for up to 15 minutes before his haircut to relax.
Journeys for a Calmer Experience
Gary Newman's 14-year-old son, Oliver, is autistic and non-verbal. Oliver used to become overwhelmed and lash out during haircuts. Gary makes a 210-mile, six-hour round trip from Lowestoft to Sudbury for Oliver's haircuts, calling it "100% worth doing."
Before finding Caroline eight years ago, some hairdressers were afraid to cut Oliver's hair. Now, he sits down, plays a bit, and even asks when his next haircut is. Gary describes it as "absolutely beautiful to see."
Hayley Ingram's 13-year-old son, Noah, has severe non-verbal autism and sensory processing disorder. Hayley has brought Noah to the salon since he was five. She says Caroline helps Noah "forget that he's having a haircut."
Noah now goes into the main salon, which Hayley says she would never have believed when he was five. Haircuts used to be a major stress due to noise and environment. Now, it's a "lovely experience" with no fear or anxiety.
A Growing Need for Inclusive Spaces
More than one in 100 people in the UK have autism, totaling at least 700,000 autistic adults and children, according to the National Autistic Society. Haircuts can be very distressing for autistic individuals due to the intense sensory experience.
Caroline became more understanding after her own daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. She understands the struggles parents face. She finds it incredibly rewarding when a child who once struggled gives her a hug or a high five.
Between January and April, Caroline performed 284 sensory haircuts. The Sensory Studio is not just for children; she also opened The Eden Room for anxious clients of all ages. She notes that many adults, especially women, also struggle with haircuts.
The salon has been nominated for a National Diversity Award. Caroline hopes to open a barber academy and offer courses to raise awareness and help other hairdressers create more neurodiverse-friendly salons.
