Children with autism are known to have difficulties with sensory integration and can experience their senses in either as
- hyper (Channel is too open / have a desire or need to avoid or shut out the sense/ can be experienced as painful or anxiety provoking
- hypo way (Channel is too closed/ have a desire to seek out the sense)
They may be unable to filter out / close off background noise which we are able to do and take for granted
They may be sensitive to certain noises / pitches / sounds eg a baby cry.
They may often express anxiety / fear of the unknown or how they may experience sound or apply information from a past experience.
For all these reasons the use of and access of ear defenders at certain points of the school day may be invaluable to an individual.
Misconceptions – the child is using them so they don’t have to hear.
Wearing ear defenders will allow many individuals experiences opportunity they have anxiety about.
https://www.ypo.co.uk/product/detail/400370
Video of what is like to for an person with autism to walk down the street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plPNhooUUuc
