I Like Loud
Some of our friends with autism have rather extreme sensitivities to loud sounds, causing them to become very agitated or to have an emotional meltdown in noisy situations. But, some individuals with autism actually thrive in loud environments. Why the difference?
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The most predictable aspect of autism is its inconsistency. By definition, autism impacts social interactions and communication, and it involves an intense interest in rituals and routines. Although not included by name in the official diagnostic core criteria, many individuals with autism have sensory issues, including reactions to the volume of sounds in their environment. Just as with other sensory input, the reactions are unpredictable and inconsistent.
For example, some people with autism are extremely averse to even moderately loud sounds while others enjoy noisy, crowded places. Two elementary-aged brothers diagnosed with autism demonstrate those different preferences. One is hypersensitive to sounds. He wears earphones at school, in the community, and even at home to mute nearly all sounds. The other brother seems bored and inattentive in quiet spaces, but seems to thrive in loud environments.
Having children with such marked sensory differences requires some creative planning. For example, the family takes the first brother through the drive through at restaurants to avoid emotional meltdowns resulting from the noise inside the building. The second brother is given chances to visit loud, rowdy places such as themed restaurants, skating rinks, outdoor festivals, and sporting events.
TIP FOR THE DAY: It is important to pinpoint these different preferences. We can help our friends with extraordinary sound sensitivities steer clear of noisy places. At the same time, we can scout out boisterous activities for individuals with autism who actually thrive in bustling, noisy environments.
We have developed an FAQautism Toolkit to help pinpoint the variety of issues that impact the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our webiste for this practical, inexpensive resource. http://FAQautism.com
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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