| Sounds are a part of our everyday life, and so | | | | food simply sounds too loud when crunching in an |
| when dealing with an autistic child who has | | | | autistic child's mouth, and these loud noises can |
| sensory problems, sound is one of the first things | | | | hurt his or her ears. If this is the case with your |
| you should learn to control, especially in a learning | | | | child, provide alternative soft foods instead of |
| environment. Sound can both be hurtful and | | | | crunchy carrots, apples, or potato chips. Other |
| helpful for an autistic child. Because each autistic | | | | loud sounds, such as a vacuum cleaner, may hurt |
| individual is different, you must closely observe | | | | your child's ears. Try to do these activities when |
| him or her to find out what types of reactions | | | | he or she is not in the room, or consider providing |
| you can expect from auditory sensory stimulation. | | | | your child with earplugs that he or she can use if |
| Loud or frightening sounds may be the most | | | | the world gets too loud. |
| difficult type of sensory stimulation in an autistic | | | | Sounds can also cause fixation. Some children, for |
| child's life. Many of our routine daily activities | | | | example, constantly hum and seem fixated on |
| include such sounds, hurting the growth process. | | | | the sights and sounds of lawn mowers. Use this |
| Autistic children can not and will not learn if they | | | | fixation to be beneficial. For example, read stories |
| are frightened. For example, parents often find | | | | about lawn mowers or use the humming in |
| that they have a difficult time toilet training their | | | | conjunction with a song. Music is a great way in |
| autistic children. This may be due to the scary | | | | which autistic individuals can learn, because sound |
| sound of the toilet flushing; witch could be | | | | is a form of nonverbal communication. Teachers |
| overpowering to and autistic child. Instead, try | | | | and parents should use this tool in learning |
| using a potty seat away from the actual toilet | | | | environments. The key is to make sound work |
| until they get used to the idea. Another example | | | | for you and your child. Autism is a difficult |
| is loud or crunchy foods. If your autistic child is a | | | | disorder to handle, so by being sensitive to your |
| picky eater, try to notice specifically which foods | | | | child's specific needs, you can help him or her learn |
| he or she blatantly refuses to eat. Sometimes, | | | | to deal with the sounds of everyday life. |