Sound
Sound sensitivity is very common. Some sounds may feel painful, frightening or impossible to ignore.
Signs of sound sensitivity
Struggles with hand dryers, hoovering, fire alarms, dogs barking, babies crying, school bells, chairs scraping, busy classrooms, supermarkets, loud music, sudden noises, chewing sounds or overlapping voices. May cover ears, cry, run away, become angry, refuse places, ask people to stop talking, wear headphones or become exhausted after noisy environments.
Sound support ideas
- Ear defenders or noise-reducing headphones
- Warning before loud sounds
- Quiet spaces
- Seating away from noise
- Soft furnishings to reduce echo
- Calm voice; visual instructions
- Breaks after noisy activities
- Avoid unnecessary background noise
Sound sensory activities (for seekers)
Musical instruments, singing, rhythm games, drumming, clapping patterns, sound matching games, listening to chosen music, nature sounds, white noise if calming.
Do
- Believe the child when they say a sound hurts
- Give warnings before alarms, hoovers or hand dryers
- Allow headphones if helpful
- Offer quiet recovery time
Don't
- Say "it's not that loud"
- Force them to tolerate painful sounds
- Remove headphones as a punishment
- Assume covering ears is rude
- Use loudness to control behaviour