ASD child afraid of loud noises. What about ear plugs?

[Nik's Mom]

Hi all,

My sons are both autistic. We have been to WDW several times and the kids really do well there. I think we have only had to use the GAC 2 times in all of our trips. Anyway, we have recently moved from California to Kansas. During our first week in Kansas, we stayed in a hotel. An employee accidently triggered a fire alarm. It really traumatized my 6 year old.

DS 6 is really having a tough time with the move, but we really believe he is fearful of loud noises. If he even hears a loud beep, he will cover his ears and scream. He was never afraid of noises until that false fire alarm.

In our trips to WDW, I know it can be a very noisy place. DH and I were thinking that maybe we can use ear plugs. We don't want ds to be afraid while we are in WDW. Do any of you have experience with this? What ear plugs would you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Bugsmom73]

We got him audio headphones and the worked reasonably well. We could also plug them into the leapster.

 

[Earstou]

My ds had a terrible time with loud noises when he was younger, but he refused to wear ear plugs. Headphones seemed to be okay, but only if he was listening to something.
Earplugs are pretty cheap, so why don't you buy some and give it a try! I just bought some foam ones at Walmart.

Ds still doesn't like loud noises, but doesn't have a meltdown anymore over it. But he hates being places where kids are yelling, screaming or crying. He groans when we are eating out and families with little ones sit near us! (Embarassing for mom!)
Does you son have exceptional hearing? My ds can hear dh and I whispering to each other when he is on the computer and we are in a different room. Hard to keep secrets from him!

 

[mechurchlady]

I been waiting for someone else to reply so now I will.

I have seen posts by parents who use ear muffs aka ear protectors. There are the ones used in construction and ones used in hunting and gun shooting. Some parents put a label on the protectors stating that the kid is autistic which leaves people around them knowing why the kid has on the device. Definitely find out if you can if it is the autism or acute hearing. My mother always had acute hearing and startled easily so that she could hear the cows lowing a mile away,

There are thread around this board on those type of protectors. Each kid is different and some react to music being played into ear plugs like an ipod and some just need the world to be silenced as it is too overwhelming.

 

[Nik's Mom]

You know, I think ds probably does have exceptional hearing. He can hear beeping from our weather radio from another room even though I have the volume turned way down.

DS does love his Nintendo ds. He has always been a bit nervous to fly and I have kept him calm by playing Shrek on his Nintendo, with headphones on. Maybe that will work. Thanks for the suggestion.

Do you all think people will look at him funny if he walks around WDW with a Nintendo and headphones? In the airport, no one pays attention, but what about WDW? I don't want anyone to make fun of my son, but at the same time, I want him to be comfortable and have a good time.

 

[Earstou]

Do you think he would use a mp3 player some of the time? I think it's very acceptable to walk around using the portable game systems and mp3 players. My son uses his PSP in public, but now that he's older, usually doesn't have the headphones on (but occasionally does).

 

[ireland_nicole]

My kids wear ear protectors (the decibel reducing ear muffs) and love them. They don't like things in their ears but like the slight pressure around their ears of the protectors. DD has pink ones and DS has red; we call them his mickey mouse ears. Do they look different? Maybe; but they are exceptional and they do have challenges and we modify what we can so that they can enjoy their life and live it to the fullest.
Nicole

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks, all!

 

[toodycat]

My son hates loud noises, but I bought him ear plugs at Sam Ash---the kind musicians wear on stage. These seem to help a lot. Plus, I think he feels better just knowing that he has the ear plugs with him and can use them if needs to. Of course, I carry a set with me too in case he loses or forgets his. Part of his daily routine involves packing his plugs. Jake doesn't always need them at Disney but at shows, they help a lot.

 

[mechurchlady]

There are going to be rude people in parks who will comment on your mustache, breathe, clothing, makeup or lack there of, manners, speech etc. It was recommended that a stick saying "Proud to be Autistic" or something witty, past my witty time, lol. People are more nice, dont stare as much and are kinder when they know a person is different for a reason. Nothing like a "Chemo Sucks", Autism awareness, or other shirt to get people to understand why a person is different.

The goal is to have a happy person in your party and to do so at any reasonable measure. Ear protectors are not unreasonable especially for a kid who has Spidey ears that can literally hear a pin drop. If people are snargling then ignore them or explain the facts to them. Do not worry about what others will think but what wonderful fun things await your kids and you and your mate. Think not on the bad but what might be. Who knows what new things will happen or what boundaries that kid will go beyond. IF, could have, should have, might have, and What If are burdens on our mind, body and soul that drain us and ruin the happy moments.

You will have lots of fun as you have the best people around to help you and there are right here. Test out what ever you do choose to see if your kid adapts well.

Hugs
Laurie

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thank you all for your encouragement. It really does help! I feel so bad for ds to have to experience this fear of noises. It's hard to watch him be so afraid. I really hope these earphones work for him.

 

[LolaCola]

We use noise reducing ear muffs as well. I think the favorite pair is a set that I found on amazon, made by Peltor. They are lime green and easy to spot from a distance, if our daughter gets separated from us while she has them on. they also seem to offer her some gentle pressure on her head, which she seems to appreciate.

We had considered ear plugs for a less obvious solution, but our girl does not tolerate things in her ears, other than her own fingers.

As for the shirts/stickers etc. cafepress has a good selection varying from the straightforward and sweet to the sarcastic and humorous.

hugs to you.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

There are going to be rude people in parks who will comment on your mustache, breathe, clothing, makeup or lack there of, manners, speech etc. It was recommended that a stick saying "Proud to be Autistic" or something witty, past my witty time, lol. People are more nice, dont stare as much and are kinder when they know a person is different for a reason. Nothing like a "Chemo Sucks", Autism awareness, or other shirt to get people to understand why a person is different.

The goal is to have a happy person in your party and to do so at any reasonable measure. Ear protectors are not unreasonable especially for a kid who has Spidey ears that can literally hear a pin drop. If people are snargling then ignore them or explain the facts to them. Do not worry about what others will think but what wonderful fun things await your kids and you and your mate. Think not on the bad but what might be. Who knows what new things will happen or what boundaries that kid will go beyond. IF, could have, should have, might have, and What If are burdens on our mind, body and soul that drain us and ruin the happy moments.

You will have lots of fun as you have the best people around to help you and there are right here. Test out what ever you do choose to see if your kid adapts well.

Hugs
Laurie

What a great idea! Thank you for posting this!

 

[blondietink]

My son is 16 and began using hearing protectors (shooters and/or lawnmower)about 6 years ago. Before that, he would walk around all day with his hands covering his ears. He can hear us fine with a normal conversation voice ... no need to yell. We buy ours at either Wal-Mart or the local hardware store. I always carry a spare in case they get broken. He would go crazy without them.

I like the idea of putting a label on them for our vacation ... too many people stare at him like he is weird or something. No, he's just Autistic!

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Again, thank you so much Laurie for posting your advice about the shirts. I don't know why I never thought of it! My son is 14 now, so he gets a lot more stares than when he was younger. I found a shirt on cafepress.com that reads, "Yes, I'm Autistic! Stare if you must, I'm not paying attention to you anyway!" They have hundreds more (including those for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, etc.), but that was my favorite for him. Thanks again!

 

[mechurchlady]

It is amazing that you understood my last post. This is about the only place I know of where people can understand gibberish lol.

You could do a family t-shirt where everyone has a copy of a t-shirt like a picture of the family and something about autism. There are witty things but nap time was yesterday lol.


I cannot vouch for the following but here are some companies to try and there are many more.

http://www.victorystore.com/magnets/car_magnet/autismmagnets.htm
They have design your own shirts and other things. You get a design then can change the saying like "Bob has" "I have" "My brother has" then a colour for that saying. then you have your design then another witty saying you can make up and give its own colour, Some shirts go up to size XXX. Discount for bulk sales.

http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/item/sees-monsters-yellow-tshirt/94580688
I love this shirt, lol. silly. Cafe Press has lots of disabled items. You name it and they have it.

http://www.iloveachildwithautism.com/AutismShirts.html

http://www.iloveachildwithautism.com/AutismShirts.html
English site.

http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/products.php?cat=16

 

[mommyceratops]

Again, thank you so much Laurie for posting your advice about the shirts. I don't know why I never thought of it! My son is 14 now, so he gets a lot more stares than when he was younger. I found a shirt on cafepress.com that reads, "Yes, I'm Autistic! Stare if you must, I'm not paying attention to you anyway!" They have hundreds more (including those for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, etc.), but that was my favorite for him. Thanks again!

Oh I LOVE that!! I am going to have to look for that shirt!!

I got the headphones in the hunting section of Dick's sporting good in child size for my DS last year. He wouldn't wear them because the first time I put them on it pulled his hair! So just be careful if he is sensitive about that. Or don't get the child size, I think that was my problem.