The Therapeutic Side of The Hairy Planet

To book - click here:

Here’s the serious side to the Hairy Planet.

A child who has a fear of haircuts can make haircut time a distressing experience for the whole family.

So how does The Hairy Planet aim to make a difference?

Firstly – the name. The Hairy Planet was chosen to be fun and child-friendly.

Secondly – the environment. The Hairy Planet is laid out like a ‘den’ with big, hairy scatter cushions and rugs. There’s computer consoles, DVD player, toys and music. No hairdresser smells or hairdryers. You can open or close the mirror, play with hair dressing equipment and play games.

Hair Play Therapy:
Children visiting The Hairy Planet will take part in different types of play activities that are designed to address their coping needs and help modify behaviour.

Cognitive, though:

·         Information

·         Choices and Control

·         Stress/Anxiety Management

·         Attention and Distraction

Behavioural, through:

·         Participation in activities

·         De-sensitization Training

·         Behaviour Modification

Choices and Control:

Children will be asked is there anything they can see or think of to make them feel better when they get their haircut.

Allowing children the ability to make changes so they feel more comfortable are control-related coping strategies.

Children can make choices of where they sit when their hair is cut, what they would like to hold, who they want with them, which toy, watch a DVD or Playstation game, or listen to music.

Calmness Scale:
Stress/Anxiety will be measured using a calmness scale – which is a visual representation of calm, slightly anxious, anxious, very anxious and panicky.

Attention and Distraction:
Toys, games, music, computers and DVD’s are available to the child having their hair cut. These will be selected by the child before they have their hair cut. Other distraction toys will be introduced as needed or requested.

De-sensitization Training:
For children who have sensory dysfunction, we have a selection of vibrotacile toys that imitate the sensation of hair clippers. 

There are games and activities for children to play, touch and feel.

With guided supervision and safety equipment in place, Children will have the opportunity to touch, turn clippers on and off, and feel the clippers against their skin.

Behaviour Modification:
We will use the calmness scale with each child to understand their perception of haircuts.
Highly reinforcing toys and activities are available at times throughout the play session – and are given to children freely during and after their haircuts.

Parental Involvement:
Prior to visiting, parents are asked to rate their child’s coping ability at the hairdressers on a calmness scale:

1)     Calm

2)     Slightly Anxious

3)     Anxious

4)     Very anxious

5)     Panicky

Parents will be in the seated waiting area, and will be called in as each child is preparing to have a haircut. This will be when they have chosen their activity and are ready. Parents will be invited in to discuss their child’s hair with the stylist.

It’s fine to take your child home straight after they get their haircut, but staying for the end of the session is a good idea. This way, they will have time to relax and play before going home.

For your child’s comfort, bring a clean T-shirt to wear after their haircut.

You can bring a favoured DVD from home if your child prefers.

Please remember:
Children may or may not get their hair cut. No child will be forced to avail of a haircut, and we understand that it may take time.
Some children need a number of sessions before they attempt to have their hair cut and we offer a special rate for children who need regular visits.

The Hairy Planet is open Saturdays, to book – please contact Claire at Hometrain.

Phone: 046 9091163 or 087 6907663

Email: info@hometrain.ie

The Hairy Planet - Coming Soon!! Yay

O.k I can't wait any longer....are you ready for the Hairy Planet to open? After months of planning....oh - just read on!

Having a good experience in the hairdressers is something we take for granted. For children with sensory dysfunction and those who develop fears about visiting the hairdressers, hair cut time is a stressful and difficult experience – and has a huge impact on family life.

Did you know that a fear of haircuts is called Tonsurephobia?

Regular hair cuts are essential, and Tonsurephobia is a serious problem for many families.

So how can children learn how to cope with their difficulties and fears?

Children can now visit Ireland’s only Kids Hair Therapy salon.

Join the 100’s families that are ready to welcome to launch of The Hairy Planet!

It’s a hairdressers – but not as they know it!

Devised and run by established Play Specialist Claire Whyte, The Hairy Planet is a multi-sensory play experience in a fun environment that helps children learn how to cope with hair cuts – or to just have their hair cut in a cool hairdressers!

Children visiting The Hairy Planet will:

·         Play with other kids in a small group

·         Experience sensory play including vibrotactile toys

·         Explore hairdressing equipment in a safe, fun environment

·         Play computer games, watch DVD’s

·         Choose to have a hair cut with quiet clippers

There are: No strong smells from shampoos or hair dyes, No hair dryers and No loud clippers.

How does it work?

Each session includes no more than 5 kids: sensory play, hair therapy play, having a hair cut by our own hairdresser, watching DVD’s and playing computer games.

Customers can book a single visit or a regular session to de-sensitize (special offer rates for regular visitors)

Any child can attend, including siblings, schools and charity groups.

Price per child is €18 per session.

We know children.

Children may or may not get their hair cut. No child will be forced or held to avail of a haircut, and we understand that some children need a number of sessions before they attempt to have their hair cut.

Private 1-1 sessions are available if needed.

We open on Saturday, 15^th October! Book Now!

Where is The Hairy Planet?

We’ll be open every Saturday at The Bangla Therapy Centre, Balrath,

Co. Meath (near Navan on the N2) Thursday sessions coming in November.

About Claire (if you don't know me already...)

Claire Whyte is the Co-Director of Hometrain Ltd and the leader of the established Hometrain Social Skills Group and Social Skills Summer Camps in Co. Meath.

Claire worked for many years as a Hospital Play Specialist in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin - preparing children for cardiac surgery and painful procedures.

Her experience also as a Home Tutor with special needs children, and her work with many families have lead to the research, development and launch of The Hairy Planet.
Claire is also the author of Hometrain’s educational resources and software.

Please contact for more details and booking by phone or e-mail at Hometrain:

Office: 046 9091163     Mobile: 087 6907663

E-mail: claire@hometrain.ie or info@hometrain.ie

Website: http://www.hometrain.ie

Advice on Staying Quiet in Class

O.k. I usually write about something I have encountered whilst working, and this week's challenge is with my very own 8 year old who has a difficulty. She talks constantly. I mean, all the time. Forever.
Not for attention, not to disrupt the class, but she just talks compulsively.
So it's her fourth year in school, and each September I pray for a stern, 'no nonsense' teacher who will challenge my daughter's habit. Alas but no. Yet again I am emplored by teacher to do something about my daughter's talking.
So another year, another chart? What's going to work?
Here's my latest approach:
1) A Visual image to have on her desk:

2) A weekly chart to record how she is doing - we did use one before, but the consequences got lost.

3) Lines. I know it's old-fashioned, but I think it will work. It's not enough to say 'o.k you're not going out to play, or no t.v.' She will end up happily doing something else! So lines it is, and here's how the scores go.

If she scores a terrible 1 (rank - poor) for listening and a 1 for staying quiet, that equals 4 exercise book pages of lines 'I must stay quiet in class'.

For a score of 2 (rank - not good), it's 1 page of lines and so on.

It is also clear that a full week of 3's may also result in a page or two.

Call me strict, but my daughter does not have a learning difficulty, we try everything to encourage her to keep quiet when it is appropriate to do so - such as in Mass, at School and when she should be listening. I feel that this could be the thing that (hopefully) works.

On the whole, she's very clever, and understands how this system is going to work. I am determind that I can help her with this - no point being cross, but I'll try to help her to change her verbal behaviour in the classroom.

Here's the text of the chart - copy and paste if you can use it yourself:

 Classroom Chart

1=Poor     5=Very Good                                         Date: ___/___/2011

Day	Listening	Staying Quiet
MONDAY	1  2  3  4  5	1  2  3  4  5
TUESDAY	1  2  3  4  5	1  2  3  4  5
WEDNESDAY	1  2  3  4  5	1  2  3  4  5
THURSDAY	1  2  3  4  5	1  2  3  4  5
FRIDAY	1  2  3  4  5	1  2  3  4  5

Teacher Notes:

Parent Notes:

Also - I think it's good to have a chart like this. I do not want to draw too much attention to her talking, so it's a nice way of keeping track and communicating with her teacher.

Next stop - chewing gum.

I will see how she gets on this week - and I'll keep you posted!

Claire.

I must remember to keep you posted, I must remember to keep you posted, I must remember to keep you posted......

How to Introduce PECS

The success of introducing PECS to a child requires persistance, willpower, determination and a good introduction!
When you have a child who does not use functional communication - you will undoubtedly meet resistance as you begin to make demands for items your child desires.
Simple as it may seem, exchanging a picture for an item will not come naturally. Your child will resist the change in your behaviour to begin with - below are some tips for starting PECS, use these to start the process.
So where to begin?
What has to be realised by your child is that communicating is useful.
Learning to come to you and communicating functionally to get things is a whole new behaviour - so how can you start this relationship?

1) Start by organising play things, favoured items and food/drink in such a way that you child has to come to you to get them. For example:

•  Place favourite snacks in a bowl - you hold the bowl and give one piece at a time to your child. This way, they have to come to you to get good things.
• Put toys in a small bag or box i.e. cars for the play garage, or toy animals - give your child one at a time.
• Give lots of praise every time they come back to you.
• Try to do this for everything they like/need and tell close family members and teachers to do the same.

What do you do when your child wants the bowl or box just to themselves?? They don't get the bowl or bag to themselves - tough love needed for this! Your child will soon learn that the only way to get things is to come directly to you.

Next, introduce PECS. Either by photo or image, make up your pictures by laminating them if possible and introduce them 2 or 3 at a time.

2) Pair the item or toy with each picture by placing them on top - say the name of the item when you match them.

• Hold the item and picture together in your open hand - ask your child 'What do you want?'
• When you child reaches for the item - offer it to them and say the name i.e. 'Ball'
• Give lots of praise 
• Hold out two pictures with two items in you hands - ask 'What do you want?'
• When your child reaches for an item give it to them, saying the name of the item.

3) Introduce picture exchange with individual items:

• Hold out a picture and the matching item close to you in your other hand
• Teach your child to 'Touch' the picture to get the item - do this 'hand-on-hand' to begin with.
• When your child touches the picture - give the item immediatly, naming the item and giving them lots of praise.

4) Introduce picture exchange for choices:

• Offer a choice of two items using the pictures only
• Have the items in a box or small bag - let your child see you have them
• Ask 'What do you want?' and prompt your child to touch the picture
• Give and name the chosen item and give lots of praise

Practise this with added items once the favoured items are mastered.
Adding the name of the item each time will encourage language development. When your child begins to use the label of the items, keep using pictures until the word is clear, then fade the prompts and PECS.
Remember to place yourself between your child and the item they want.


Read more about Comunication and PECS here: http://www.hometrain.ie/child-communication.php
There are PECS images at Hometrain, go to: http://www.hometrain.ie/resources/ and you can print or save from there.
Repetition is the most useful advice, persist with PECS and don't give up - the first weeks are tough, but stick it out and you'll get there!

If you need any more advice on PECS, you can contact me: info@hometrain.ie

Claire.

Home Tuition help without a Grant

Here's some answers to FAQ's about 'Learning Together':

Why was Learning Together written, and who is it for?
Right now, there are many people who are waiting for their child's assessment, diagnosis and are in the process of applying for a home tuition grant.
It was written for parents, tutors, SNA's and preschool teachers to use individually, or together.

You can use Learning Together at home to not waste valuable early intervention time.
You can use Learning Together at home if you don't get a grant or SNA hours.

Is Learning Together easy for parents to use?
It's straight forward. 'Learning Together' is a home tuition guide that has 48 weekly lesson plans and associated resources. It tells you where to start, has step-by-step teaching advice and learning objectives that help you teach at home at your child's pace.
The course has a welcome pack with glossary of terms, explaining how to use reinforcers, and which resources are needed every week.
It starts simple - with a selection of language cards added each week.

What resources are included?
The other resources include: games, opposites, associations, days of the week, weather, social skills, 'All About Me' communication book, colouring, tracing, writing, numeracy, people, places, and much more. For details of resources for each section, go here: http://www.hometrain.ie/lessons/ and click on the 'course content' headings, where you will find full lists of contents for each section.

What if I don't understand what I have to do?
No problem. The Learning Together course is fully supported by us at Hometrain. You get free anytime support over the phone or online. We will reply with your advice within 24 hours.

If you have any questions about Learning Together for your family, please contact me directly and I will be happy to discuss any aspect of the course with you: info@hometrain.ie

Claire Whyte.

You can view the course, sample lessons and resources here: http://www.hometrain.ie/lessons/