How Fidget Toys Support Neurodiverse Clients
Lauren is the founder of The Lash Surgery Salon, where beauty meets wellbeing. With eight years of lash artistry and a background in psychology (undergraduate and master’s degrees), Lauren combines clinical expertise and artistic skill to create therapeutic beauty experiences.
Getting your lashes done should be a time for clients to relax and feel pampered, but for some neurodiverse individuals, lying still for 2–3 hours with their eyes closed can be a challenge. For clients with autism or ADHD, the sensory stimulation of a salon (lights, sounds, scents) and the demand for stillness can trigger anxiety, restlessness, or even shutdown.
Introducing discreet fidget toys into the treatment space offers a simple, sensory-friendly solution. It helps clients feel more grounded, regulated, and in control during their appointment. It’s a small adjustment with a big impact on comfort, inclusivity, and client retention during lash services.
Fidgeting (small, repetitive movements or tactile engagement) is a common self-regulation strategy observed in neurodivergent individuals. In autistic clients, repetitive motor movements (often called ‘stimming’) can produce calming sensory input and help manage overstimulation (Uljarević et al., 2022). For those with ADHD, fidgeting can serve a cognitive function by increasing alertness and supporting focus through mild motor activity (Hartanto et al., 2021). This behaviour isn’t disruptive, it’s adaptive. Fidget toys offer a structured, socially acceptable outlet for this regulation, supporting executive function and emotional balance throughout a long lash appointment.
Integrating fidget toys into lash studios is part of a broader shift toward sensory-informed, neuro-inclusive practices in the beauty industry. By meeting clients where they are and supporting how they naturally regulate, we send a clear message: Beauty services should be accessible, affirming, and inclusive of every body and brain.
Read more from Lauren about How to create an autism-friendly salon and grow client loyalty here!
References:
- Uljarević, M., Hedley, D., Gal, E., & Baranek, G. (2022). Understanding repetitive behaviors in autism: A developmental and sensory perspective. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 125, 104252.
- Hartanto, T. A., Krafft, C. E., Iosif, A.-M., & Schweitzer, J. B. (2021). A trial-by-trial analysis reveals more intense physical activity is associated with better cognitive control performance in children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 27(1), 1–19.
