Jamie Lewis and Denine Davies have been trying to get their 3-year-old son’s haircut for three months, with no success. Mason has autism. Nothing they tried could help Mason feel comfortable enough to finish the cut.
Photo from Facebook
James Williams has been welcoming Mason into his South Wales barbershop for months. Each time he would try a new way to help Mason feel comfortable, so when Mason came in this week James got down to his level and Mason responded. In fact, the entire haircut took place on the floor of the barbershop.
I went on the floor as I found that’s where he always wanted to be. He played on his father’s phone, watched random programs and that entertained him. So I thought let’s join him and lay with him and see if it works.
James also understood that sound can often be a trigger for a child with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) so he insisted the whole shop be quiet while he worked with Mason.
Photo from Facebook
James posted the story to his Facebook, in hopes it could inspire other barbers to get creative when customers with different needs come in. James made such a connection with Mason that when he asked the toddler for a high-five, at the end of the cut, Mason gave him a big hug.
