Helping your autistic twins take care of their hair can be quite a challenge. Many of the issues related to hair are due to either anxiety or sensory processing needs. The more you know about this, the better you can help your twins care for their hair. In this series, we will talk about three areas that can be difficult for autistic twins: hair washing, brushing and hair cuts.

Now that we’ve conquered washing, let’s talk about another hair raising moment – brushing. Many of the challenges that autistic twins, triplets and quads can have with brushing are related to sensory processing, anxiety or executive functioning issues.

Depending on your twins and their hair type, they may have either straight, curly, thin or thick hair. Depending on their hair type, you might try using a detangling spray or leave in conditioner to help keep hair soft and easier to manage. If possible, brush through their hair while it is still wet to encourage less tangles later.

You may find that each twin prefers a different style of brush or comb. One might have more issues with tangles – the Tangle Teezer, Wet Brush and Knot Genie were all designed to make brushing easier. Try different combs and types of brushes to see what works best for your twins.  

If you are brushing dry hair, desensitize the scalp with a head massage first. This can be a relaxing ritual for you and the twins. After a few minutes, you can start brushing. Start with small sections at a time, instead of just running the comb or brush through all of the hair at once. Try starting at the top or the bottom of the hair to see what they tolerate best.

If they are young enough, you can try brushing their hair while they are in a high chair to keep them contained. Don’t forget distractions! Use a favorite tv show, snack, tablet or fidget toy to help keep your twins mind off of their hair and onto something else. A weighted blanket or weighted vest can also keep your twins feeling safe and secure. They may prefer to have a certain person brush their hair, such as dad or even their twin. Be open to whatever works for your family.

Finally, you may want to just choose a hairstyle that works for both yourself and your twins. If they really don’t like brushing or washing, maybe keep a short style so it is off their face and not able to tangle as much. As they get older, they may be able to tolerate it more, or get to the stage where they can take care of it themselves.

My son had an autistic stim in which he twisted his hair in his fingers. I think it just felt good, and he routinely did it as he was falling asleep, so I think it was soothing for him. I can definitely remember more than once having to cut his hair because this bit (right in the front!) would get very matted and twisted. Keep an eye out to see if your twins or triplets do something similar. With stims, you can try to redirect it to something else like a silky blanket or a stuffed animal. Otherwise, you may have to keep them in a short hairstyle. You may also see your twins pulling each others hair, and a shorter hairstyle can help with this.

What suggestions do you have for brushing your autistic twins’ hair? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to follow the blog for the next article in this series.

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