Imagine if you will, You are wearing noise canceling headphones and are unable to speak and are taken somewhere you have never been before. I want you to really imagine this! Let’s assume you have never been to an airport or on an airplane and are forced to do so this way. The first thing that will strike you is that you may not know what exactly it is that you are supposed to do. Moreover, what exactly is going to happen to you in such a place?
You have basic visual cues but many are unclear and confusing. Your friend may be with you and doing their best to help you but you are unable to ask basic clarification questions and the few words you may pick up are not making the scenario any clearer. You make it through TSA as a practical bystander within your own body and try to follow the commands to the best of your ability. You check in and sit on the plane, you made it! However, there are probably a thousand questions roaming your head about what you just experienced and what is still to come.
I used an airport as a prior example because the place where we are going to be
talking about is quite possibly a place you may be very comfortable in and may even consider your second home. You may not realize many aspects of it can seem super confusing and disorienting to a non-verbal person with ASD. Let’s apply this to the salon! Where am I? What are all those tools for? What am I supposed to be doing? The disorientation is still the same.
5 skills to incorporate when working with non-verbal individuals
Non-verbal body language
Non-verbal body language is a huge component of an interaction with someone who has communication challenges. You want your body language to come off as friendly and relaxed. Refrain from crossing your arms in front of you or placing them in your pockets. When possible, create proximity by standing at their side. Only make eye contact if they seek it. You should try to remain at eye level while respecting their personal space to not seem threatening. Having a warm welcoming facial expression is crucial.
2. Visual supports
Visual supports give communication impaired individuals clues as to what is occurring around them. There are an array of ways visuals may be used. Steps may be explained in pictures. There is also the possibility of creating social stories accompanied by visuals that can describe what will be taking place before it happens. For example a visual on a haircut may include a guest in multiple aspects of the haircut, such as greeting, hair washing, cutting, and showcase the tools that are used.
3. Use shortened speech
One of the biggest difficulties I had when working with individuals that were non verbal ASD was to adjust my speech patterns to make them slower and more concise. Because of my background, I was raised to speak fast and loudly. Both are a no go in this scenario. Many people who have communication challenges are able to use and understand an array of words. As they reach adulthood the communication problems may remain but there will be an obvious improvement. It is also extremely common for non-verbal individuals to understand far more than they are able to speak. This part of speech is called receptive language. The words they are able to say are known as expressive language.
Our industry standard currently encourages very elaborate language, some examples being bronde, caramel swirl, cowboy copper. These concepts are often completely confusing for guests that have no communication issues. I once had a client ask for a caramel and show me that caramel to her meant bright orange. This form of figurative language will make communication rather challenging. Shortened direct language would allow a much more comfortable experience.
4. Modeling
Modeling in theory is learning by observing someone else, as opposed to learning by one’s own experience. Modeling is a great way to make an intimidating experience more welcoming for a non-verbal guest. An example of this can be used in one of the scariest scenarios for our younger non-verbal guests. The dreaded neck trimmers! These are so scary and intimidating because they can be quite uncomfortable if they are not used or maintained properly. Ask any man that gets shorter cuts and they usually have at least one story with this abominable device. Modeling on your arm or someone else’s neck that it will not be an uncomfortable, scary experience is a great way to calm the fears of not only someone who is non-verbal but anyone in the younger spectrum who may have had previous bad experiences with this particular tool.
5. Rewards system
Creating a rewards system is such a crucial tool for the younger non verbal kiddos. Rewards may look different for different people. Work with parents prior to an appointment to come up with the best possible reward for their child. This will begin to create a positive connection with being in the salon. This goes back to the beginning of time with little ones. You get your haircut, you get a lollipop. I recommend a more one-on-one approach to rewards for neurodivergent individuals. This will require communication between the parent and the stylist because the better the reward, the more positive the interaction that is created and the better rapport that is built between stylist and guest.
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