
Sensory Safe Certification & Training
Our goal is to empower industry professionals by providing a robust curriculum which gives them knowledge and skills designed specifically for supporting guests with autism or sensory differences. Haircuts may be difficult for these individuals. The challenges can range from anxiety, to sensory sensitivities, or worse, trauma from past experiences. Our team has developed a systematic approach, embedded with research-based strategies, that enhances the industry professional’s ability to welcome anyone to their chair with confidence, competence, and most importantly, kindness.
Find a Sensory Safe Stylist, Barber or Salon Near You!
STATES
COUNTRIES
(NATIONAL AND REGIONAL) EDUCATORS
PROVIDERS
Name | City | State | Phone | Provider | Portfolio | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abby Lawless | Bonita Springs | Florida | 239-849-4570 | abby@thesensorysafesalon.org | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Maddie Erickson | Bonita Springs | Florida | 815-632-8755 | maddie@thesensorysafesalon.org | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Bobby Souza | Bonita Springs | Florida | 239-321-9862 | bobbyry98@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Gianna Roe | Bonita Springs | Florida | 219-241-8557 | Giannabella8722@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Tara Miller | Stafford | Virginia | 717-877-7920 | styledbytaramarie@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Emily Dennis | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-922-4247 | Embabyyy21@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Rebecca Pawlak | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-922-4247 | Beck.n.em.llc@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Justin Pitz | Worcester | Massachusetts | 774-823-4772 | pitz.justin@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Nina Colon | Worcester | Massachusetts | 774-578-5827 | Ncolon13@qmail.qcc.edu | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Ashley Melacha | Bonita Springs | Florida | 507-491-6545 | an_vander@hotmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Amber Rochelle | Fort Myers | Florida | 239-849-8455 | Gracefulhandsbeautylounge@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Kayteyln Sheilds | Fort Myers | Florida | 360-977-0674 | kaytelynnrs@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Melissa Nelson | Cape Coral | Florida | 828-552-1436 | alexmyangel@msn.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Odaliz Kearney | North Port | Florida | 941-875-4344 | odalizkearney@icloud.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Samantha Dault | Naples | Florida | 239-302-8757 | beachyblondessalon@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Mary Rojas | Hurst | Texas | 817-368-0214 | marybel89@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Salon | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8981 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Salon | Instagram Page |
Mallory McAvoy | Waterford | Michigan | 248-618-3177 | malloriealicem@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Paris Olivia Bird | Melbourne | Florida | 248-804-1430 | parisobird@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Kimberly Rowley | Kirkland | Washington | 425-343-6308 | kimberly@kimberlyirenesalon.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Rebecca Ladig | Bellefontaine | Ohio | 937-441-7309 | Rebeccaclary87@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Maya Garcia | Alice | Texas | 361-389-9299 | mayag0341@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Mireya Morales | Houston | Texas | 346-719-9363 | beautysupplyhtx@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Megan Kennedy | Fort Myers | Florida | 239-246-1983 | jedihairninja@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Angie Nicola | Bonita Springs | Florida | 313-348-7933 | anutangie@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Heather Halloway | Pontotoc | Mississippi | 662-760-3300 | hb2826@hotmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Crystal Short | Pontotoc | Mississippi | 662-760-3300 | cshortkcs@outlook.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Brian Maxson | Loveland | Ohio | 812-623-5727 | railwaybarbershopllc@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Jill Bice | Delphos | Ohio | 419-979-8518 | ruffy68@hotmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Allissa Mcrae | Bonita Springs | Florida | 239-201-7640 | alissiakmcrae@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Roman Khorouzan | Bothell | Washington | 425-343-6308 | Romandoeshair@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Kira Bryson | Waterford | Michigan | 425-343-6308 | Kiraellework@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Dominic Muniz | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 215-554-8135 | Hairwizardsedu@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Jonathan Valencia | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 215-678-6362 | j.josephv183@icloud.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Tracy Jordan | Clarksville | Tennesse | 931-436-1537 | tracy.jordan1016@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Christian Mendez | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 215-960-6484 | cjondarise04@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Emerald Vasquez | Lawrence | Massachusetts | 978-327-4600 | Emeraldvasquez5@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Sean Quell | Cohoes | New York | 518-268-7216 | Sean.quell@icloud.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Kaitlyn Divelbiss | San Antonio | Texas | 530-312-6072 | Glazenaillounge@gmail.com | Nail Tech | Instagram Page |
Lisa Perez | Montgomery | Texas | 210-573-2991 | Lisaperez1232@gmail.com | Styist | Instagram Page |
Anthony Weils | Gansevoort | New York | 518-932-5987 | Weilsey4471@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Aunt Nana K | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Mrs. Jennifer | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Drucilla | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Jeneane | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Tia | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Tianaa | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Toya | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Taylor | Greensboro | North Carolina | 356-543-6787 | Greensboro@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Emily Worthington | North Brookfeild | Massachusetts | 774-757-7212 | worthingtonemily09@gmail.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Philip Girouard II | Worcester | Massachusetts | 774-239-6840 | pgirouardii@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Zachary Pitz | Worcester | Massachusetts | 774-437-9923 | hermitkingpit@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Andrew Jarobski | Worcester | Massachusetts | 774-407-3571 | drewskiicutz@icloud.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Michael Scovil | Worcester | Massachusetts | 508-282-1334 | mikethebarber@gmail.com | Barber | Instagram Page |
Jamie Kirshner | Arcadia | Florida | 239-340-0929 | jamie@eduamerica.org | Ambassador | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts- Andrea | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Tiffany | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Angela | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Brianna | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Anaid | Tyler | Texas | 903-707-4717 | tylertx@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Zoe Belisle‑Springer | Montreal | Canada | 333-333-3333 | zoe.belislesp@phorest.com | Ambassador | |
Megan Zito-Collins | Bonita Springs | Florida | 239-947-5283 | mzittocollins@gmail.com | Ambassador | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Mrs.Mel | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8981 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Mrs. Somer | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8982 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Jeneane | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8983 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Kendyl | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8984 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Kylie | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8985 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Taylor | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8986 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Toya | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8987 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |
Pigtails and Crewcuts-Ms. Tia | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 336-997-8988 | winstonsalem@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com | Stylist | Instagram Page |

Don’t see a location near you?
Would you like to sponsor a haircut or certification for your local salon, stylist, or barber?
Donations propel our mission forward. It is the lifeblood of our organization since we aim to keep all of our guest’s haircuts at a price point they can afford. We need your help!
Please consider donating to our 501(c)3, The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa! For a nominal fee of $39, an individual will receive a haircut. In addition, donations of $295 will provide an industry professional with the opportunity to gain access to the curriculum and training elevating their career capabilities.
FOR SALON PROFESSIONALS
Become a Sensory Safe Provider

Are You Ready To Get Certified?
Calendar of Events
National Educators
Name | My "Why" | City | State | Schedule Training | Portfolio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abby Lawless | My "Why" | Bonita Springs | Florida | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Maddie Erickson | My "Why" | Bonita Springs | Florida | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Bobby Souza | My "Why" | Bonita Springs | Florida | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Gianna Roe | My "Why" | Bonita Springs | Florida | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Tara Miller | My "Why" | Stafford | Virginia | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Emily Dennis | My "Why" | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Rebecca Pawlak | My "Why" | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Justin Pitz | My "Why" | Worcester | Massachusetts | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Nina Colon | My "Why" | Worcester | Massachusetts | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
Ashley Melacha | My "Why" | Bonita Springs | Florida | Kate@thesensorysafesalon.org | Instagram Page |
The Mission and Motivation Behind The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa
Kate Owens-Heins Founder/CEO

About Us
since 2018
We, at The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa, are committed to making impactful industry changes to better serve the autism community and those with sensory differences by educating and certifying industry professionals through our elevated curriculum platform. The knowledge and experience used in creating our curriculum is research-based principles designed by educators, behavior specialists, and stylists trialing this practice for over 5 years.
Not only are we striving to help individuals with disabilities receive a haircut/salon service with dignity, but we also plan to educate industry professionals, Globally, on our trademarked methodology. Our goal is to provide the knowledge and a curriculum for all industry professionals with this mutually benefiting certification and business practice.
As of now, there is no education for industry professionals on how to serve this very important community’s needs appropriately. We have created it and are excited to share it with you! After years of honing our skills, we need your help to spread our vision across the United States and the world. We are thinking big!
“The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa envisions a world where individuals of all abilities can enjoy haircuts with comfort and confidence, fostering self-expression and empowerment while promoting acceptance and understanding in the community. Everyone knows someone touched by autism. Let’s join together to make this part of their life a little easier”, says Andrew Tuttle, Board member.
If you didn’t know, receiving haircuts or salon services is a HARD process, typically resulting in a traumatic experience for both parties. The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa is here to change all of that, and with your help, change the industry!
Mission
Our Mission
To create a Sensory-Safe Salon environment for anyone and everyone, especially guests with special needs and sensory processing sensitivities. We strive to provide individuals with dignity while also producing a salon experience that leads to a life-long benefit of inclusion. Through our elevated educational platform, we are providing communities with sensory safe salons, training well-prepared cosmetologists with a heart, and constantly improving the salon experience to be more inclusive and diverse. It is our belief that it doesn’t take an expert to be kind.Vission
Our Vision
We envision a world where individuals of all abilities can enjoy haircuts with comfort and confidence, fostering self-expression and empowerment while promoting acceptance and understanding in the community.
Dear Parent(s)/Caregiver
“Do not be afraid. This is a safe place. We know what we’re getting into. There isn’t anything we haven’t seen.”
-Kate Owens
*Hairstylist of 23 years
*Owner of Kate’s Kuts in Bonita Springs
*Mother of Child with Autism
*Founder of The Sensory Safe Salon

Plan Ahead
Every individual is different, and your preparation and insight are critical for the success of the haircut experience.
Please be sure to fill out the questionnaire as thoroughly as possible.

Trained Professionals
We have a Trained Behavior Technician on staff, and all of our stylists you book an appointment with our Sensory Safe Salon and Spa Certified™.
“No Sorries! This is a safe unapologetic space.” -Maddie Erickson
Ensuring a positive and comfortable experience for EVERY individual during a haircut is our priority at The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa.
“No Sorries! This is a safe unapologetic space.”
– Maddie Erickson
Ensuring a positive and comfortable experience for EVERY individual during a haircut is our priority as a Sensory Safe Provider.

What Clients Are Saying about The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa Certified Experience
A Sensory Safe Provider serves the individual AND the family. Parent(s) or guardians often feel discouraged and disconnected from the community when it comes to a haircut.
Our goal is to provide an all-inclusive experience for the individual getting the haircut and their loved ones. The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa can show you how!
“We first visited Kate when my son was 5, back in 2018. As the mother of a child with sensory processing disorder and suspected autism I was desperately trying to accomplish simple things with my son, haircuts being one of them.
Before Kate it took 3-4 people to give my sweet boy a simple haircut. It was exhausting for everyone involved. Sweat, tears, screaming, kicking, and a whole ton of guilt having to restrain my own child and torture him were all a part of a haircut. I had followed Kate on social media because her oldest son graduated from the school where I teach and I happened to come across a post she had shared from her salon advertising sensory cuts. A wave of relief washed over me in that instant and I called for an appointment.
She scheduled us early on a Saturday before any other clients would arrive. My little guy hid behind me as we went in but he very quickly became comfortable with the salon. Kate asked me what his favorite song was and she immediately put it on, my son beamed with excitement. At that moment, I had hope that everything was going to be okay. Kate made everything a game and before you knew it, my son was laughing hysterically and getting his haircut. His laughter brought tears to my eyes. We left that day with much more than a great haircut and a cupcake.
Kate trains many of the new stylists who walk through her salon door to do these sensory cuts. My son has had his hair cut by many of them through the years. Since we started going to Kate’s, a sensory room was put together catering to kids with needs similar to those of my child and even with more severe sensitivities. She has truly been a blessing to our family.
With every haircut came a small victory and now, five years later, my 10-year-old can sit in a chair and get a haircut just like most boys his age, no more tears, no more kicking, and no more screaming.
I would recommend Kate and her team to anyone with a child who is on the autism spectrum or has sensory disorders. She changes lives!”
-Gina Fishtorn
“How long does an average haircut take for a child with special needs or on the spectrum? Ours was two hours.
Two hours of screaming, running around, and fighting the stylist to not touch them. Finding someone who was willing to see him or even trained to work a child on the spectrum felt impossible.
Thank GOD we found Kate’s Kuts and The Sensory Safe Salon. Kate and her team are passionate about their clients, especially the little ones. She takes her time to educate herself about the client and helps to maintain a fun and interactive environment for each child. In the five years we’ve been seeing Kate we can effectively say that a haircut now takes about 20 minutes, but the experience for our son is everlasting.
Now he looks forward to his hair cuts, spraying Kate with a water bottle, and walking out with a great style and the occasional lollipop. Thank you Kate and The Sensory Safe Salon for giving him a great experience!”
– Lisa and Frank Sulen
“The Sensory Safe Salon experience is more than a “haircut”. The staff involved with this organization treat clients like family. They provide children or adults who experience sensitivity to the touch, sounds, smell of a salon when getting their haircut, a feeling of comfort, safety and welcomeness.
The staff are all trained to handle whatever is thrown at them and are calm, laid back and ready to be as flexible as needed to ensure the overall encounter is a positive one. This is the place where families can feel at ease and not judged.
There’s no question, as a parent advocate for children with special needs, I will absolutely recommend this salon to all of my clients and friends.”
-Jamie Kirschner, M.Ed. Founder, Education Advocates of America
Meet Our Sensory Safe Staff

- Salon Professional
- Heart for children on the spectrum
- Master sensory stylist with multiple years of experience
- Over 300+ hours of sensory-cutting experience
- 40+ success stories
- Passion for helping others and making a change

- Salon owner
- Parent to a son with autism
- Journey to Sensory Sensitive Shop
- Educating, supporting, and growing stylists
- Industry-changing mission

- Registered behavior technician for six years, working with children for 9 years
- Salon Professional
- Has worked in all settings; home, clinic, school, and community
- Has worked with all ages, and a wide range of behaviors
- Started cosmetology school to build a bridge between beauty and autism and give as many families as possible an unapologetic space
- Dedicated to providing the safest and most inclusive salon experience for you and your loved ones!

- Autism Consultant with a passion to positively impact autistic individuals and families
- Professional Educational Leader with 20+ years of experience
- Parent of a son with Special Needs
- Community Stake Holder and Advocate
- Motivated, curious, and open to new perspectives and opportunities
Meet Our Board
- Kate Owens Heins
- Christine Maughan
- Andrew Tuttle
- Maddie Erickson
- Jamie Newlin Kirschner
- Abby Lawless
- Valerie Bachman

CEO and Founder of the Sensory Safe Salon and Spa
- Salon owner
- Parent to a son with autism
- Journey to Sensory Sensitive Shop
- Educating, supporting, and growing stylists
- Industry-changing mission

Chief of Staff
- Autism Consultant with a passion to positively impact autistic individuals and families
- Professional Educational Leader with 20+ years of experience
- Parent of a son with Special Needs
- Community Stake Holder and Advocate
- Motivated, curious, and open to new perspectives and opportunities

Vice Chairman
- Graduated Worcester State College. BS Psychology
- Program/Project Management 22 years at Raytheon , Ma
- Substitute teacher 3 years , NC
- Business Tutor 4 years, Eastern Florida State College
- Volunteer groups
- United Way
- SowMuchGood
- Big Brother/Big Sister
- Kate’s Kuts

Lead Educator Specializing in Behavior
- Registered behavior technician for 6 years, working with children for 9 years
- Salon professional
- Has worked in all settings; home, clinic, school and community
- Has worked with all ages, and a wide range of behaviors
- Started cosmetology school to build a bridge between beauty and autism and give as many families as possible an unapologetic space
- Dedicated to providing the safest and most inclusive salon experience for you and your loved ones!

- CEO, Education Advocates of America
- Founder, Target Your Purpose 501c3
- Special Education Teacher and Former Principal and Assistant Principal for 25 years
- Nationally Board Certified Advocate for Special Education (NAEST) and member of Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
- Dyslexia and Autism Certified and Orton Gillingham Trained
- Facilitated more than 3,000 IEP meetings

Master Sensory Stylist
- Salon professional
- Heart for children on the spectrum
- Master sensory stylist with multiple years experience
- Over 300+ hours of sensory cutting experience
- 40+ success stories
- Passion to help others, and make a change

Treasurer
- Operations manager at Kate’s Kuts
- Small business owner
- Accounting background
- Chef
- Dog Trainer
- Small engine mechanic
- Toured with Pearl Jam
- Safety educator
Book your Sensory Safe Cut Today!
It’s simple! Find a Sensory Safe Provider and call or email to set up an appointment near you. All haircuts by appointment only.
Want us to help point you in the right direction? Please, click the button below. Provide your name, location, the individual’s name getting the haircut, and a phone number and someone will contact you with the next steps!
Sponsor a Haircut Today!
For just $39, you can provide a safe salon experience for families and individuals in need!
The Sensory Safe Salon and Spa is a registered 501c3 and is supported by community partners and donations.
(239) 333-9732
kate@thesensorysafesalon.org
By Appointment Only
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