How can I protect my childs hair?

Parenting
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2.5yr old with ASD L3 - 3b/c curls and has started pulling hair out (sensory) - working with OT - she doesnt like her ppl touching her hair, hair ties, head bands, etc or sitting still for me - need advice or tips to protect her hair… TIA

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. How can I protect my childs hair?

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Can you braid it while she is asleep? Maybe a very short haircut would help. I’m sorry I don’t have a child with sensory issues, but I know you don’t want her pulling her hair out.

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Have you tried hats? My son loves his beanie hat and leaves his hair alone when wearing it.

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Redirect her hands before the hair pulling starts. Give her fidgets she can pull the strings, those stretchy ones.

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My daughter is 11, ASD L-3, ID. When she has problem behaviors like this we redirect her to try to replace the behavior. Fidget toys, might help. Maybe a doll with hair she can stroke. Anything to keep her hands busy and give her the sensory input. Your OT will help you develop a sensory diet for her and that will help her, hang in there!

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I think more info would help, how and when is she pulling it out. Is it angry outburst type pulling or boredom?
Is it when someone tries to touch it she pulls at it?
Does she do it when she is sleeping?

Is she doing it for the pain, pain can concentrate the thought to one area to calm a person down.
If it’s for pain, teach another safe pain method but def don’t take her hair away by cutting it short if that’s the reason.

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Definitely need more information here:

  1. she doesn’t like people touching her hair…does this include brushing/washing? 2) What has been done so far to help her?
  2. what’s going on when she starts pulling her hair? Is she angry? Is she sensory seeking? Is she sensory avoiding? Is she bored?
  3. What has doctor and/or ot suggested?

I’ve got my own kiddo with curly hair who has sensory issues.
The general suggestion was to just cut it off…but we worked at desensitizing him instead.
*Rinseless shampoo.
*Aussie detangling milk on wet hair
*Tablet ONLY while we were working with his hair.
*Playing with different brushes/combs.
*Going slow. Super. Super. Slow.
*Brushing technique (this is where you use a OT brush on their arms/legs)

We never had issues with hair pulling though. If it’s anything like skin picking…give her hands something else to do. Maybe get her one of those Barbie things the head and shoulds shoulders where you can play with it’s hair.
Keep fidgets on hand.
We use slap brackets and pop-it bracelets a lot. Or those color changing sequin things.

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I have 3 individuals with Trichotillomania in my household, and they need behavioral therapy and sometimes medication. Fidgets can help.

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Redirect. Give them something to fidget with instead of pulling their hair. A doll that has hair might work, so they can brush the hair.

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I think these moms have given you some good ideas to try. I hope some of the suggestions work. If these ideas don’t work, are there any support groups in your state that you can join or a Facebook group? Best wishes and many hugs to you, mom.

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Let him/her wear your helmet.