Lattice Students Get Picture Day Haircuts from a Familiar Face

Picture day at Lattice Educational Services came with a little extra preparation this year when Marcos, owner of The Gentlemen’s Barbershop, returned to campus to provide free haircuts for students.

About 22 students took a turn in Marcos’s chair, although “chair” can be a loose term when working with students who may find the sounds, sensations, and experience of a traditional haircut overwhelming. Marcos meets students where they are, whether that means letting them feel the clippers first, demonstrating how they work on his own head, or moving along with a student who isn’t quite ready to sit still.

Creating a Comfortable Haircut Experience

For Marcos, the connection to Lattice is personal. As the father of a daughter on the autism spectrum, he understands some of the challenges families can face with something as routine as a haircut. He initially connected with a Lattice staff member in 2018 and offered to bring his services directly to students in a setting where they already felt comfortable.

“I wanted to give back to families knowing how hard it is,” he said. “I love how I’m able to come to their safe space and the staff is able to adjust to anything I need.”

That flexibility is especially important for students who can become overstimulated by the buzz of clippers, the sound of a blow dryer, or other aspects of a typical barbershop visit. At Lattice, staff can modify the environment and work alongside Marcos to help each student participate at their own pace.

“Having Marcos come to our campus allows us to create a safe space and modified environment where our students can thrive,” said Mary Schirle, director of Lattice Educational Services and Sierra School of Sonoma County.

Building Confidence Through Familiar Routines

Over the years, Marcos has watched students become increasingly comfortable with him and the haircut routine. What began as an opportunity to make a sometimes-difficult experience easier for families has also become a chance for students to build confidence.

Marcos continues to provide haircuts for children with special needs beyond his visits to Lattice, including after-hours appointments at his shop. His motivation remains the same as when he started: his daughter and a desire to make haircuts a little easier for other families.

For Lattice students, his latest visit meant fresh haircuts, a familiar face, and one less thing to worry about before Picture Day.

About Lattice Educational Services

Lattice Educational Services provides individualized instruction in small, structured classrooms designed to support students’ academic, social, and behavioral growth. The private day school combines evidence-based instruction with specialized services and individualized support to help students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed at school and beyond.