Fireworks and Children With Autism

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For many families living with autism, fireworks shows are a source of anxiety, especially if family members have had stressful past experiences with fireworks. 

Why Do Children with Autism Dislike Fireworks?

Children with autism and related sensory processing difficulties experience their environment in a unique way. Many become uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or agitated when exposed to loud noises, bright lights, and busy crowds. 

What can be louder, brighter, and busier than a night out under a fireworks-firing sky? 

What happens to you when you think about a situation that has caused you stress in the past? I know that I get filled with anxiety. Just the anticipation of that uncomfortable situation is enough to make me procrastinate, stress out, and want to avoid it. 

Children with autism are no different. 

Just like you and I, children with autism who have experienced the discomfort brought on by whistling, crackling, and flashing fireworks can be filled with anxiety when they even just think about attending a fireworks show. 

Before you decide to just skip it, discover how you can reduce fireworks-related anxiety in your child with ASD.

Reduce Fireworks-Related Anxiety in Your Child! 

You can help reduce your child’s anxiety by properly preparing for the fireworks show you’d like to attend. 

One great way to prepare in advance for any overwhelming event is to read what is called a social story to the child. Social stories describe social scenarios in a story form presenting background, perspective, expectation, and coping skills for any given situation. 

Rosie Neustadt, clinical director at Circle Care Services prepared a social story for July 4, 2023:  What to Expect at a July 4 Fireworks Show.

Social stories are just one way to help children with autism cope with stress. Reach out to Circle Care Services to learn more about how our handpicked autism specialists can help your child reach more goals using ABA therapy.

And if you’re interested in learning more tips and tricks like these, sign up for our email list! We send regular emails with information about parenting a child with autism.