MIDLAND, Texas —
At the Midland YMCA, local barber DeAngelo Sanchez gathered up some of his fellow barbers for the 2nd annual Cuts for Autism, where they gave free haircuts for families with children on the spectrum.
Sanchez started Cuts for Autism because he understands what it’s like trying to find a barber willing to work with a child on the spectrum.
“So, for me, I have a son on the spectrum. He's 10 years old. He's nonverbal haircuts, was always something that was very challenging. So basically, I just wanted to give these families a chance to give them an opportunity to meet a barber that wants to work with their child,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez also says that while it’s not impossible to go out and run errands like a haircut with a child on the spectrum, it can sometimes be more work than it might be for other families.
But finding the right people willing to work with you makes a huge difference.
“Oh, it's very challenging. Just doing anything, making a trip to the grocery store and as far as a trip to the barber shop, you know, we're just trying to eliminate the explanation. You're walking in today into a room filled with barbers that understand. So there's no explanation needed,” Sanchez said
Even if a child who came by didn’t get a haircut, Sanchez says that just being able to talk with the parents and introduce them to different barbers in the area that are open to cutting their child’s hair in the future lifts a weight off their shoulders.
“Some of these kids might come in today not getting a haircut, but at least they have the chance to get another barber's information and, you know, have someone that wants to work with their child,” Sanchez said.