Jul 16 2008
When girls with autism are ready to shave.
Teaching girls how to shave their legs under normal conditions is a challenge, attempting it with a child with sensory issues, like autism, is an undertaking that will require great insight to your child’s ability to comprehend the task and be able to manipulate a razor.
You should not push your child to shave if she is not ready. Hairy legs are not going to hurt anyone. You will know when it is time when she signals with curiosity and the hair on her legs starts to change color.
So now what? Attempt to hand her a sharp razor and see what happens? Absolutely not.
A mans electric razor that has a screen over the blades is the best option. Most children like the feel of the vibrations and respond okay to the noise. Plus, the possibility of getting a bad cut and associating shaving as a negative activity is drastically reduced.
You may have to trim the hair if it is too long for the razor to cut, but your child will be better off with this type of razor where if she does slip there is little chance of a cut. Plus, she will be able to use it with little supervision as she can master this type of razor much quicker.
