Man opens a phenomenal barbershop especially to help kids and adults with sensory issues

When it comes to sensory disorders or being sensitive to sight and sound, it’s harder for children and adults to get through most experiences that are otherwise normal and casual for others. In such cases, what they need is a lot of support and patience. TODAY reported that fortunately, barber Billy Dinnerstein is practicing the same with kids and adults through his profession. The 53-year-old man has gone viral for his “Your Kind Of Cuts” barbershop in New Jersey and his astounding support, patience and gentleness for clients with sensory disorders. The “Your Kind of Cuts” barbershop is a sensory-friendly space for people and children with autism and other sensory disorders to get a haircut.

His shop has an ambiance designed to aid the haircut process for kids and adults so they don’t get overwhelmed or anxious about it and feel safe. Right from toys, tools, posters and more, Dinnerstein has been revolutionizing the place for the young and old with sensory disorders and his approach is simply heart-melting. The barber was seen in a recent video with 4-year-old Justice giving him a haircut in the most fragile, professional and gentle way. Justice, who was accompanied by his father, was finding it difficult to sit still and have a razor move over his head. The little boy is seen afraid and perplexed in the video, unable to register Dinnerstein’s gentle approach. 

However, the barber ever so soothingly communicates with the boy and very patiently takes over the process of trimming his hair. He very gently uses the razor and makes it a sort of play-along for the boy to feel comfortable. Even then, Dinnerstein persists in communicating with the boy and making him understand in the most calming way. He allowed him to move and kept assuring and encouraging him through each step irrespective of the time-consuming job it was. “Very good, very good, one more time? Ready?” Dinnerstein says as he tries to interact and meet the boy where he is to make him feel comfortable. Several commenters responded to the viral video applauding the barber for his outstanding approach. @anndreamassod said, "Best line, 'We wait until he is done to reward him otherwise we're rewarding him for standing up,' love it." 

Dinnerstein was interviewed about his experience and job. He said, “We need this service. I didn’t realize how much we needed it until I was involved in it.” He further explained that thousands of people made painstaking efforts and traveled from different parts of the world to avail of his services because there is no other like him. Justice’s dad Carson shared the relieving experience of having someone like Dinnerstein around. “Me pulling up and seeing Billy outside — we just went straight for it. There were no rules, (Billy) didn’t tell me what to do specifically — we just focused on making my son comfortable first,” he said.

He further mentioned how much of a task it was for Dinnerstein to get the job done and was appreciative of the same. “We both were trying to make each other comfortable. I was trying to make Billy comfortable because I know my son like the back of my hand, and vice versa — he was trying to let me know that it was okay. He wanted me to trust him. We both were helping each other out,” the dad remarked. Dinnerstein doesn’t have a process he says. The different kinds of patients require him to improvise on the spot and he does it brilliantly. 

“I don’t know what I’m dealing with until they walk through the door. Sometimes it’s the parents squeezing the kid’s hands, sometimes it’s the kid squeezing the parents’.” Dinnerstein shed light on the need for more resources and aid for kids with autism and said that it's a winning moment of its own kind. “It's nice when the kids come in crying, then at the end of it, the mom leaves crying with happiness. A complete 180 — a great feeling,” the barber added.