Expert: Trey McGowan - 8/26/2009

Question
What can I do to help sound sensitive autistic students get through a fire drill?

Answer
Hi there, Cindy!

First of all, please let me apologize for the delay on answering this question. Real life emergencies happen, and unfortunately one kept me away from the computer for a good week.

Second of all, the answer to your question is that depending on how sound sensitive they are, getting them through one may be nearly impossible. If they are the sort to ball up and completely crumple, then the only thing I can think of doing in that case is finding some way for them to get a pair of earplugs they are allowed to insert at moments like that. It will not filter all the sound out, but it will hopefully help the loudness enough that they can stand up and follow the other children to the door.

If they are less agitated, you might try having a 'stim' of some sort around that they can take with them as they go out the door. Find a texture that the child will find soothing and/or distracting (in the good way) and keep it around for emergency moments like that. If the child likes soft things, a scrap of fur they can ball up, rub, pull at, or whatever might help as an example. Elastic bands which can be stretched, water or gel-filled objects which can be squeezed, material that can be rubbed against their hands... it may take some time to find a good object to help with the defusing of that anxiety, but they can likely use that stimming motion to help them keep anxiety from the noise and transfer it to the object they have.

One thing I am on the fence about is one other option: making sure they are aware of when the fire drills are. While it will hopefully help them have their items on hand, and be prepared for the sound, this will also make the event of an *actual* alarm (whether false or an actual fire) potentially more traumatic for them, as they are used to having a warning, and they are aware that this is *not* just a drill. I would therefore suggest that as a faint possibility, but by no means an ideal one.

I wish I could come up with a few more ideas, but the general issues of 'sound' in autism can be a hard one. And sometimes, the option of 'Just get them used to it' might not be there (I certainly wouldn't suggest exposing a child to a loud fire alarm on a regular basis just to hope they'd get used to it!). Hopefully my suggestions were of some help, and I'll keep looking to see if I can find other suggestions on the great wide web or library. I'll be sure to edit the question if I can find something!

In the meantime, questions, comments, feedback, follow-ups, are welcome!

Trey