Salons to Pamper Mothers of Autistic Children

Being a parent of any child is not always easy. But being a parent of a child with special needs can be, at times, extra challenging.

In light of that, several local salons will be teaming together next week to offer 10 mothers of children with autism a day where they can be alone, relax and, most importantly, be pampered.

The event is being held April 9 at the cosmetology school in Pine Brook, but stylists from , in Butler, , in Livingston, Emiliani Enterprises, a beauty distributer in Union, Matrix products (through the Spread the Love foundation) and Autism Speaks will be involved. The mothers who will receive the special treatments will be chosen by event organizers to have their hair done, makeup done, manicures and pedicures by senior students and stylists.

"We're giving them a nice makeover day to make them feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel," Christine Valmy School Director Walberto Miranda said.

Additionally, the women will be offered facials and given gift bags with Matrix products.

"We're hoping this is going to be great," Miranda said. "It's going to be a pamper day."

Miranda said inspiration for the event came from Emiliani Enterprises School Director Luisa Ferreira, the mother of a seven-year-old with autism. Ferreira said she knows how challenging raising a child with autism can be and that she "lives it every day."

"With a child with special needs, there is no alone time, whatsoever," Ferreira said. "I feel that that was really, really important to me, that these mothers deserve, one, the repect, and two, for them to be able to treat themelves for the day."

Ferreira noted that, even though the event does not cater to them, fathers of children with autism do endure the same type of stress and the challenges are not gender-specific. She also said she is hoping the event not only relieves the mothers, but teaches both of the schools' students how important it is to give back to the community.