Salon adapts routine to welcome atypical and neurodivergent children in Macapá

Salon adapts space to serve atypical and neurodivergent children in Macapá Cutting hair is a simple task, but the procedure can cause discomfort in atypical and neurodivergent children due to sounds, touches, lights and other stimuli. In Amapá, a salon created a routine adapted to serve this audience. The salon appeared in 2022, after Ana Camila Araújo realized the difficulty in finding a space capable of serving her youngest son, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of 4. ? At the time, she needed to travel to Belém to be able to get the child's haircut without difficulties during the procedure. "I had to go to Belém to cut my son's hair. I left his hair long for two, three months so I could cut it there, because he could cut it without me holding it. It was traumatic for him", he says. The experience led Camila and her husband to found the salon. Previously, she worked as a biology teacher. After his son's diagnosis, he left the classroom and took hairdressing and barbering courses. "When we talk about atypical children, people only think of Tea. But our team is qualified to care for all children, whether they have ADHD, microcephaly, cerebral palsy, wheelchair users or other conditions that require adaptations", explains Camila. In the salon, the team reduces stimuli that can cause discomfort and adapts the service according to each child's needs. The team presents the equipment before cutting and takes breaks when they notice signs of discomfort. It also adjusts the environment and gives the child more time to familiarize themselves with the space before starting the procedure. READ ALSO: Ifap student wins place in Portugal and financial support for exchange 'New exploratory frontier', says IBP president about signs of oil in AP, in Foz do Amazonas