Screaming
A friend was excited that her family finally had a chance to rent a cabin in a little family beach resort for a weekend vacation. Their teenage daughter with autism seemed to enjoy the drive so the family was hopeful about having a calm vacation. But their optimism vanished when she began screaming and shouting once they checked into their cabin after supper.
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WHY SCREAM? In this case, the youngster was not screaming as if in distress, but out of excitement. The teenager’s excitement was probably magnified because of the new surroundings and change of routine. She only speaks a few words and phrases, so she was not able to express her excitement in more appropriate ways. Because the neighboring cabins in the little resort were close, her parents realized they were more sensitive to their daughter’s loud sounds than they would have been at home.
WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? Mom and Dad were both on edge, but they took a deep breath and talked about options. Dad confessed that he was just about ready to put their bags in the car and drive home. But, instead, they family got in the car for a drive down the beach. Their daughter’s loud noises didn’t disturb neighbors as long as she was in the car. And she eventually settled down and enjoyed the ride. When she was sleepy, they eased into the cabin, slept through the night, and enjoyed the rest of the vacation. Any time she started getting excited and making loud noises, , everyone piled in the car for a drive down the beach. Granted, this solution will not work in every situation. But it did work for this family at this time.
TIP FOR THE DAY: It is difficult to make our friends with autism stop screaming and shouting when in new places. But we can usually help the situation by staying calm, talking softly, and, if possible, taking a drive. A ride in the family car gives a person with autism the security of a familiar place. Also, cars isolate loud shouting and screaming, so we don’t have to worry about the reaction of other people.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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