Autism and Fireworks

[jenk1]

This year is the first time since finding out DS is ASD/AS that we are having to tackle fireworks.

DS is PETRIFIED of fireworks, if he hears them he puts his hands over his ears,screams and runs off, in the past before we knew about his Autism we used to laugh at him and tell him not to be soft .

I cant believe we used to do that but, we didnt know,anyway i just wondered if you could tell me how you manage your Autistic childs fear of fireworks/loud noises as we dont seem to be helping DS much.

TIA

[spursmum]

I find having a personal stereo of some sort with his favorite tunes on it works to distract my ds. But on the other hand fireworks and other loud noises don't bother him. He can walk past a jackhammer at 110 decibels and it doesn't even faze him!!! HTH

[pixel]

Can't be much help I'm afraid. Ds has always hated fireworks and any other kind of loud noise but this year he actually sat through a fireworks display and enjoyed it. Trouble is, I don't know why he has suddenly changed so I can't give you any tips!

I do know that there's no way he'd tolerate wearing a personal stereo. The only thing I can think of is that there was also a fairground nearby which might have 'diluted' the noise of the fireworks a bit and he had already had 1/2 an hour to get used to that. Maybe you could take your ds out in the car with the radio on loud so that he can see the fireworks but not really hear them? He might not be so worried once he can 'see' where the noises are coming from iyswim.

[jenk1]

thanks for the replies, thing is DS has seen the fireworks and knows where the noise comes from but still freaks at the sound of it

[Davros]

My DS is the same as Spursmum! He loves them the louder the better and laughs! But he does have noise sensitivity and covers his ears quite often, just not this kind of noise. Even so, I would put music on in his bedroom and hope it will drown out some of the noise. Do you have any melatonin? That would get him off quickly as well.

[jenk1]

no, i dont have any of that, do you have to get it on prescription?

[Davros]

Yes, from a consultant OR you can buy it online (Ebay) or get someone to bring/send some from the USA.

[maddiemosthorrid]

My ds also hates them. We don't go to displays but usually have some not too nosiy fireworks in the back garden. Ds stays indoors with Grandad and TV on. Whe he feels brave enough he will watch though the window. We also light some sparklers which he likes to watch though the window,he will grab anything light so could not let him outside with sparklers anyway.

He has really improved though and I find this approach has worked for us.