This resource is for general educational purposes and is not medical, therapeutic or clinical advice. Every person is different. For individualized guidance, consult an appropriate qualified professional.
A social story is a short, plain description of what is going to happen, often with pictures, read together beforehand. Many families and professionals use them to prepare for unfamiliar events. This one walks through a haircut at home in the order it happens, so nothing on the day is a surprise. Save, print or share it — and change any wording that doesn't match your own visit.
How to Use It
- Print it with the button above. It's designed to work in black and white.
- Read it together a few days before, and once more on the day, at a calm time.
- Change what doesn't fit. Cross out the clippers card for a scissors-only cut, and write or draw a reward in the blank box.
- Keep the break card within reach during the haircut, and agree that showing it always means the barber stops.
- Talk about it afterwards, briefly, and say what went well.
The Picture Story
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First, the barber comes to my home.
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The barber sets up a chair and a mat for the hair. I can choose the room.
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I put on a cape, or a towel. It keeps hair off my clothes.
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The barber cuts my hair with scissors. Scissors go snip. I sit as still as I can.
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Sometimes the barber uses clippers. Clippers buzz and can tickle near my ears. The barber tells me before they start.
Optional — cross out if not used -
If I need a break, I show my break card or say "break." The barber stops.
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The barber brushes the loose hair off my neck and shoulders.
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All done! Then I get my reward.
First → Then
First
Haircut
Then
Write or draw my reward here
Break, please
Cut out or fold. Show this to the barber whenever I need to stop.
Version for Teens and Adults
- The barber arrives at my home at the booked time.
- They set up a chair and a mat in the room I chose.
- I put on a cape, or a towel if I prefer.
- We start with scissors or clippers, as agreed in advance. The barber tells me before each new step.
- If I need a pause, I use the agreed signal and the barber stops. A cut can be split into stages and finished another day.
- The barber brushes off the loose hair. I can change my shirt or shower right away.
- The haircut is done. A standard men's haircut usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes; a simple buzz cut, 10 to 15.
Notes for Parents, Caregivers and Professionals
- The wording is literal on purpose and says "sometimes" rather than promising that nothing will feel uncomfortable. If a step doesn't apply, remove it rather than soften it.
- Let the barber know beforehand about clipper noise, touch around the ears or neck, and preferred tools. See autism & sensory-friendly haircuts at home, or special needs haircuts at home for families and group homes.
- For the broader planning list, and the research on building haircut tolerance step by step, see the sensory-friendly haircut checklist and its sources.
- If the worry is more about the barber chair itself than sensory triggers, see haircut anxiety and what helps.
delawaremobilecuts.com/haircut-social-story-printable.html