As part of a recent survey conducted by salon/ spa/ fitness software Vagaro, 50% of respondents who work in beauty and wellness self-identified as neurodivergent, while 27% said they work with someone who is.
In the poll, 43% indicated they offer salon and spa services tailored to meet the needs of clients who are on the autism spectrum.
“By encouraging acceptance, celebrating diversity, and leveraging technology, we can create more accessible spaces for both neurodivergent clients and industry professionals,” says Vagaro executive Charity Hudnall.
Many of the salon and spa professionals surveyed said they proactively ask about accommodation requests beforehand, and offer stimulation-reducing options such as quiet hair clippers, multiple lighting settings, weighted capes, ear coverings, and more.
"Quiet rooms," or areas of the salon that have lower lighting and noise dampeners, can make a huge difference for neurodivergent salon professionals and clients alike — as do tech tools that reduce or eliminate human interaction.
Those include online booking systems, digital check-in forms, personalized intake forms, and automated appointment reminders: All contribute to reducing sensory overload and improving the overall experience for everyone.
Learn more on Vagaro’s blog post documenting the survey and its results.