My Haircut Story
For many children with autism and children with ADHD, a haircut is a wall of unknowns — new sounds, new smells, someone close with sharp tools. This walks your child through every step ahead of time, so the real day feels familiar instead of sudden.
Written to follow the Social Story guidelines developed by Carol Gray: patient, positive language that describes honestly what happens, including the sounds and the sensations, and offers choices and coping options rather than commands.
Shops open shortly — both links go live then.
All 27 pages, and what each part is for
The illustrated story
Fourteen pages, from “my hair grows a little bit every day” to “I can feel proud of myself”. One idea per page, a picture on every page.
Welcome and parent guide
How and when to read it for the calmest result — start early, keep it relaxed, follow their pace, pair it with real life.
Make it personal
Space for your child’s name, their salon, their stylist’s name, and a photo to paste in.
Seven-day countdown
Read the story together and cross off or sticker one box a day. Watching the boxes fill up makes haircut day feel known, not sudden.
Cut-out schedule cards
Six picture cards — go to the salon, wait for my turn, cape on, haircut, look in the mirror, all done. Laminate them and bring them along.
Choice and comfort cards
Six point-to cards: headphones, a break, my toy, stop, my grown-up, and ready to keep going. For when talking feels hard.
First–then board
Fill in the “then” box together before the day, so the haircut visibly has an end with something good on the other side.
“I did it” certificate
A bright certificate to fill in and sign afterwards, so the day ends on your child’s own achievement.
About and terms
Where to reach me, how to ask for the next story, and exactly what you may and may not do with the files.
Questions about My Haircut Story
Will it work for a child who is not reading yet?
Yes. It is built to be read aloud together, and every page carries a picture that tells the story on its own, so a child who is not yet reading can follow by looking.
Can I print it more than once, or use it for siblings?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your own children, your classroom, or your therapy practice. Please do not share, resell or redistribute the files themselves.
What file formats do I get?
Two print-ready PDFs — one US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) and one A4 — so you can print on whichever paper size you use. Both are 27 pages. It is an instant digital download and no physical item is shipped.
Can I add my child's name and photo?
The PDF includes a Make it personal page with space for a name, a salon, a stylist's name and a pasted photo. A Canva-editable version, which lets you type directly into the pages and swap images, is on its way to the shop.
Does it work in black and white?
It is best printed in colour, but nothing important is carried by colour alone, so a black and white print is perfectly usable.
Is this therapy?
No. It is an educational preparation tool and a visual support. It is not therapy and is not a substitute for guidance from your child's care team.
Try real pages before you buy anything
Send me your email and I’ll send you a free sample — real pages, not a blurred preview, so you can see whether the tone and the layout suit the child or teenager you’re helping.