Spa owner yells at Mom of Autistic child-Facebook Firestorm

I have two kids. Who the hell brings a two year old to a SPA for a haircut? You go to one of those strip mall places where every other kid is yelling too. I enjoy spa days a lot. I would be PISSED if I was spending a ton of money to hear a kid scream. I don't want to hear my own kids scream.

This has nothing to do with autism, and everything to do with time and place. And a spa with a little kid, no matter if he's on the spectrum, is an inappropriate place. What it is was a very fancy restaurant, or the theatre, would be still be so accommodating?

This is not about autism for me one iota.

My thoughts exactly. If the owner acted exactly as was described, it was inappropriate of her to do so. However, she would not have been out of line to calmly and quietly explain to the parent that because of that disruption they would have to find another place for the child's haircuts in the future - maybe she could have even referred them somewhere more appropriate. The appointment really never should have been made in the first place.

I think it is incumbent upon the parents of autistic children to call ahead first and make special arrangements and/or seek out barbers, dentists, etc. who are experienced with this sort of thing. The ball park here even has a night where parents can bring autistic children to prepare them for the stress of coming to a game.

some people really don't think, which is sad. I wonder if the owner felt awful after having done it. I'm not saying what she did was ok, because it was not, but think about this... did she KNOW the boy was autistic? I'm thinking she probably didn't and maybe felt pretty awful and embarrassed about her blow up after the fact.

Yes, Bry. She knew. She knew the client and they had been there before.

in that case, it is ridiculous that she knew and behaved that way. I only read the OP and not the comments in response. That deeply saddens me that a grown adult would throw such a fit over an autistic child, especially when she knew that was the case.

upscale spa, her business, her rules. dont bring kids...

If you don't want children there you should have a sign that says so!

Who the hell brings a two year old to a SPA for a haircut?

I've explained this already, but it's a busy thread, so perhaps you missed it. Some children with autism get easily overstimulated, which will cause a meltdown. Kid friendly places like Supercuts and those in the mall are overstimulating for some children with autism. My son, for example, does much better in a "spa type" setting. However, I make sure the owner/manager/stylist knows he could start acting out. If he does, we try to calm him down or take him outside. Having someone come up and yell at me while I'm trying to calm him down is not going to help. It's going to create an even greater scene for the other customers. From what I understand, this owner knows the family and knows the child has autism. Even if the child didn't, yelling at the mother is only going to make things worse for the child's behavior.

I am the mother of an Autistic child. I obey the law because I know that one day I will use one of my three strikes on kicking the *kitten* of whoever attempts to make my son feel bad for something that he cannot control. No really, my husband and I have a Bail savings fund. Because God help that person.

I like you!

The spa took the appointment knowing who the kid was!

How do you know this?

This story touched me ALOT since I have a 4 year old autistic brother (who HATES to get his haircut and probably would have reacted the same way). And that poor mom.. It wasnt her fault. I hope that place goes out of business because that's so inappropriate!

It's amazing how many of the negative reviews on Google, Yelp, etc. were posted by people who admit they weren't there and that they heard the story on Facebook, case in point from Google +:

NEVER EVER GO TO THIS PLACE!!!!! I just heard the story about how the owner of this spa horribly yelled at a woman who had an autistic child in her spa. The child was 2 to 3 years old, getting his hair cut but would not stop crying because.....well he is a small child and I remember how upset my son was when he was that small getting his haircut. Kids will be like that...and to yell at a mother in public is bad enough but to do that to a mother with a special needs child....that is terrible! LIKE I SAID...I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THIS PLACE, DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS LOCATED BUT I WILL NEVER GO THERE!!!

Unless you've actually witnessed or experienced terrible service, you have no right to post a negative review. No credibility, mmmkay?