Reprinted from Avon LIFE, September 10, 2010
By NATALIE K. POLLOCK
FOR AVON LIFE
AVON - Sally Larsen has been cutting children's hair for 18 years. She fell into her profession and it turns out that it is something she truly enjoys.
Over the years she has also learned how to help autistic children and their parents enjoy the experience.
The Farmington native did not know which profession to pursue when she was in college, but she followed the advice of her sister and sister-in-law who suggested that she try hairdressing. Ms. Larsen eventually cut the hair of all the school's students.
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| Sally Larsen has owned the Cuts for Peanuts salon at Old Avon Village for 17 years. Recently she moved her business across the way and renovated with the needs of her young autistic and sensory sensitive clients in mind. |
"In order to cut kids' hair you have to be fast and accurate and not show any fear. You need to be patient and move with them when they want to. And you have to like kids," she said.
Eighteen years ago she came to work with the owner of Cuts for Peanuts at Old Avon Village. Less than a year later, he offered to sell her the business and she has operated it ever since in the same general location.
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Eight-year-old Sarah Yeisley tries to distract her 10-year-old autistic brother Carter with a book while Cuts for Peanuts owner Sally Larsen finishes up his haircut. |
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Ms. Larsen lives in Burlington with her husband Mark and their two sons, Cooper, 13, and Tyler, 11.
Mark was a stay-at-home father for seven years when the boys were young and now works with a company that makes springs for machinery.
"I was the main provider for many years and worked a lot of hours, so I missed a lot. Now the salon is smaller so I can focus my talent and cater to the customer better," said Ms. Larsen.
Now that I work less and make more, I am able to enjoy more aspects of my life."
She recently moved her salon across the parking lot. this is the third location for Cuts for Peanuts. It has a larger area for children's chairs and a smaller adult space. She cuts the hair of all the family members to make it easier on the parents.
"I love the village. It ways home to me. And I did not want to make the move more difficult for my clients," she said.
"They just need to turn around to find me. It's nice to be able to change and grow, especially in these economic times."
In her new and improved salon, she has special seats for children in fun shapes and colors and there is a more natural light, making it a more pleasant atmosphere for her clientele and staff of four.
"I have a steady clientele and more now because people like the change, but it has not been a big change. I am showing that I am growing and changing with the times," she said.
Murals cover the walls of her new space, music is playing and colorful fish are swimming in a large tank, all meant to make the salon more appealing and soothing for children.
Ms. Larsen will add continuously playing videos, but without sound or noises that would distract from the experience and/or cause the space to seem too active.
One of her first clients 17 years ago was a young child with autism.
"It was difficult, but I managed to do her haircut because I was fast. The mother was happy, so she passed around my card," Ms. Larsen said.
"Some parents give up (on haircuts in a salon) because it is too hard or embarrassing. I started learning about kids and what to do and how to cater to the parents.
She has found that if she pays attention to what may be bothering the child, whether it is the bright lights or the overly energetic music, and makes adjustments, she is able to make the experience more enjoyable and calmer for both child and parent.
"Life is hard enough. You don't need a bad haircut, too," said Ms. Larsen.
Diana Yeisley has been coming to Cuts for Peanuts with her two children for nine years. When the family first moved to Simsbury, her son Carter was one and needed a haircut. She picked Cuts for Peanuts because she like the name.
"Are son has autism, but we did not know at first. Sally cut his hair and noticed some things. She did whatever she could to make him comfortable," said Ms. Yeisley.
"She is always open to new techniques and employed different toys and other things to make sure the hair-cutting experience was pleasant."
Soon her daughter Sarah was getting her hair cut at the salon and now the whole family goes there.
"Sally now works with many children with autism and sensory needs. She sought to educate herself and be helpful to their kids, " Ms. Yeisley added.
"Otherwise it is really difficult for these kids to get their hair cut. She also understands that what works for one child will not necessarily work for another."
Over the years, Ms. Larsen has learned that children with sensory issues "do not like too much change, " which she kept in mind during the move and renovation. She made sure that the new salon does not look or feel too different than the previous version.
There are several techniques that she has found helpful with special children. Sometimes wearing a weighted vest will help them feel more secure. Earphones served to cut down the noise and music volume and work especially well for Carter.
Some children can control themselves for a short time if they know they will get a reward afterwards, such as permission to turn on the faucet in the sink. Squishy, colorful balls made of textiles and rubber that reveal animal heads when they are squeezed delight children of all ages.
"A lot of children need something to distract them without adding an element of craziness. I try to keep it as simple as possible," said Ms. Larsen.
She also cuts her son's hair. Cooper had long hair and now has it buzzed. They keep her up to date on styles for the younger set.
She offers hair style books for children to leaf through and her staff is knowledgeable about celebrities in the news and their hair.
"Sometimes I will negotiate for a compromise to make the child and the parent happy; for example, with leaving bangs longer if they let me cut the rest shorter, " said Ms. Larsen.
In addition to running the business, she still enjoys cutting children's hair because she loves the interaction.
"The other day a four-year-old girl in a jeans skirt was looking in our mirror at herself and said 'don't you just love me?' That's the greatest thing," said Ms. Larsen.
One of her first clients recently married. She does from 60 to 70 haircuts a week and develops relationships with her clients and their families over the years. But she is not eager to see one of her earliest clients come in with her child for a haircut.
"When I told my dad about this move, he helped with the construction. He said 'it's nice to know that every day when I wake up, this is where your smile is.' That's what self-employment should be," she said. For more information call Cuts for Peanuts at 860-677-0047 or visit the salon in Old Avon Village at 41 East Main Street.
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