Local News

Calming ‘experience’

Salon brings patience for youth with ailments

Clients are "over the moon" with the friendly service offered at the Moonlight Salon. Jen Betts, owner of Moonlight Salon recently celebrated two years since its June 2024 opening.

After working at typical salons over the years, Betts decided to open her own salon offering clients something different and difficult to find. Met with patience and empathy, clients of all ages with neurodivergent disorders have a relaxing experience. With close to 35% of the clients being on the spectrum, their services are geared mostly toward people with autism, but sensory cuts are for anyone that needs sensory accommodations. Clients with panic disorders such as agoraphobia (fear of no escape) and ADHD all benefit from a calmer space.

Two additional syslists, Paige Bishop and Heather Erwin started working in the salon right away. While they all did the best they could in regular salons to provide a comfortable experience for anyone that needed extra patience, they knew it could be better. The experience that Betts and Erwin bring from having their own children with these needs is invaluable to the community especially for families who are raising neurodivergent children.

Control over the environment is key to a stress-free haircut. Moonlight Salon offers a soothing atmosphere equipped with both natural lighting and dimmable options to suit sensory needs. After much research, Betts decided on a calming color palette with soft music and an open space. In combination with servicing minimal clients at one time, all are helpful for those that can be easily overstimulated. At many salons, several blow dryers going at once can be overwhelming, but this salon has the option to have private appointments. Another accommodation that Betts took into consideration is that the location is far from the road with minimal noise from passing cars. All of these aspects allow for parents to also experience relief with what otherwise can be a very stressful event for both them and their children.

"We want you to slow down, and we want to take our time. We want to have a good experience," said Betts.

Mindy Littlefield said before she started bringing her son to Moonlight Salon, haircuts were a disaster. Caden has a genetic disorder that presents itself like autism and epilepsy. Upon following Betts from her former salon workplace, Littlefield commented that even in the beginning, coming to Moonlight Salon was difficult.

“I left a few times crying. We would be on the floor and Jen would be following us to the window, but now he sits all by himself or on my lap." What used to take over an hour for a haircut, now takes about 20 minutes. "Not only does he get a haircut, but I’ve actually made a friend, which is very hard. It’s a very isolating world," said Littlefield. "Everyone is accepted here and it's just a beautiful place. Everyone is so kind."

She is appreciative of the kindness and acceptance demonstrated. "It's a beautiful place and it's so amazing that these girls, not only do they provide a safe space, but they're normalizing something that's not always viewed as normal. And they're spreading such awareness. It doesn’t matter how long it takes or what he's doing, she just follows him and lets him lead. We come every four weeks so it's consistent, and so now it's become normal for him."

Betts added that Caden was the reason that haircuts by the window are offered, and that it helps clients feel less trapped. "We don’t want anything to feel rushed or crazy, or that they have to get in and get out."

"We want them to feel comfortable," added Bishop. "There was even a time when Heather cut a child's hair in the parking lot."

The team regularly participates in charity events to support the local community. From volunteering at Trunk-or-Treat to giving out free fun haircuts to middle school students, their active involvement demonstrates the true heart and passion of the staff and their commitment to the community at large. The staff recognizes and understands that even at a sensory-friendly salon, the thought could still feel daunting for parents. By connecting with families directly at local community events, a comfortable introduction helps parents feel confident enough to schedule a visit. Beyond their daily salon services, the team styled prom hair for Lakeshore clients and participated in a spa day event for Community Connections, a non profit that empowers individuals in the Warren County disability community to find purpose and independence.

Betts shared, "We love being in this community and being able to serve this community" in different sensory cut events."

They have even had several clients travel to the salon even from 2 hours away. Sometimes, as the clients have become used to them, it later enables them to go to other stylists which the staff counts as a huge win. "We love that we were able to get them comfortable and able to go somewhere closer. We'll miss them but it's really special that she got those clients to that place."

The staff at Moonlight Salon not only promote autism awareness, but they actively practice in autism acceptance. They certainly fit the definition for the term "hairapist."

Open to everyone, they ask that when scheduling an appointment to let them know if a sensory service is needed so that accommodations are ready and extra time is available with no rushing. In addition, private appointments are available. Moonlight Salon is located at 24 N. State St., Warren. Appointments can be made through their Facebook page or by calling (814) 230-9019.