There are several ways in which autistic people may experience sensory challenges to do with hearing. When people can’t tell us how they feel we use an assessment tool called a sensory profile.
Sometimes the noisiest people are noise sensitive. Loud noises can help them to block out other sounds. Some of the challenges faced by an autistic person dealing with sound include…
A very painful reaction to noises like alarms, bursting balloons, sirens, drills, banging doors, dogs barking and babies crying. Even a buzzing insect could cause distress. People may use ear-defenders to block out some of the noises.
This creates anxiety through difficulties in filtering and processing sounds. It can be a very painful experience for individuals experiencing auditory cluttering.
This involves difficulties in processing and understanding sounds, even if heard before. Reminders of the meanings of sounds, such as: “That’s the dinner bell, it’s time for dinner,” can really help.
Understanding what language means can be difficult for some people. Use short and direct sentences so that the child or adult will have a better chance of understanding the meaning.
This is an inability to pick up tone, inflection or emphasis from a person’s voice. Around 38% of our communication is conveyed in this way, so say what you really mean and always try to be clear and concise.
