Trouble with loud noises

Those are all common to ASDs.

"ASD" = Autism Spectrum Disorders.

While most of us would prefer the term "Syndrome" over "Disorder," none of us would be very appreciative of the new acronym it would form...

Hello, yes the characteristics you are listing are common for ASD

Yes, loud noises are definitely an issue for people on the spectrum. I have 3 offspring - over 18 - on the spectrum and 2 of these have problems with noise. For one of them it's sudden loud noises like balloons bursting or someone sneezing loudly. When he was at school the other children discovered he got upset if they shouted 'Boo!' very loudly in his ear and thought it was great entertainment to do so at every opportunity both in school and out. He had to move schools in the end.

My daughter is the other one with noise issues, but for it is the noise generating from a crowded room, in particular a restaurant, where there is a lot of loud conversation going on. She says it does her head in.

Gillian

I sometimes have problems with loud noises, but I usually don't notice until afterwards. I just sort of find myself outside and it takes me a few seconds to realize why I left the room.

It's called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). It is one of the signs of ASD. Not all people with SPD have an ASD though. You can find out more about it here:

Sensory Processing Disorder Explained | SPD Foundation

You're mentioning traits that are common in ASD. Have you been checked to see if you are on the spectrum?

I concur with the others, sounds like you might be on the spectrum.
Personally, I love fireworks - especially the BOOMs. Sometimes I like to crank up the music.
On the other hand, there's a magnetized "ding-bell" on the door at work that makes me cringe every time someone comes in or goes out.... and I HATE the fluorescent light fixtures humming constantly. Can't handle a crowded noisy restaurant (store, theater, party, etc...) either.

Cut the tags off. I do.

My ASD son jumps at loud noises. And refuses to wear cotton t-shirts because he says they itch. Thankfully, none of the synthetic shirts come with tags.

Have you heard of the traits of the "Highly Sensitive Person" (HSP)?

While not an actual disorder, it does explain why some of us people tend to be overstimulated by what is within acceptable sensory ranges of others. Loud noises, not-so-subtle odors, bright lights, and allergies will irritate you more than the average person. You may also be easily overwhelmed by a lack of sleep, disturbances in your schedule, strong emotions, or social rejection.

Check out the article additudemag.com titled "Hypersensitivity: Are You a Highly Sensitive Person ?" (I would link it, but I'm not allowed yet).

It's not something "treatable", but rather it can be handled through awareness of your personal limits - taking control of the things you can and learning to cope with the things you cannot.

Galadriel said:

Hi there, I don't think I have aspegers or autism, but I do have some traits that are similar. I've gotten much better socially over the years, but still don't really have close friends. I do have a great hubby though.

Is it a trait to have major trouble with loud noises? Ever since I can remember I could not handle things like fireworks or fire crackers, balloons popping, guns, even thunder is hard for me to handle when loud. I've been made fun of a lot over the years for it. Drives me nuts and is so embarrassing.

Also the tags in clothing or anything remotely itchy drives me nuts too.

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With at least two of the noises you mention gunshots, and thunder it seems to me it would be normal for anyone to have some trouble. Both can be sudden and unexpected loud noises. Balloons: I don't like waiting for people to burst them, thats all.

Its not pleasant in the least to be made fun of if in any alarming situation, or discomfort. Some people lack empathy at times for others.

You can could I suppose re-assert to yourself the rational awareness you already have that balloons bursting are fun, and fireworks are often spectacular. I don't know a lot about ASD, I decided not to read much about it at all, even though it was suggested to me that I might be on the ASD spectrum by a clinician.

I did use to have considerable difficulty with a loud thud on the ceiling noise, like a bag of heavy spanners or something being dropped. It really rattled me to the core most times I heard it. I don't live in the same place any longer.

I tend to question though how far any Internet forum could resolve the question for anyone whether they are on the spectrum or not. It seems lend itself better to being support based rather than providing a clinical environs for assessing possible traits.

Galadriel said:

Is it a trait to have major trouble with loud noises? Ever since I can remember I could not handle things like fireworks or fire crackers, balloons popping, guns, even thunder is hard for me to handle when loud. I've been made fun of a lot over the years for it. Drives me nuts and is so embarrassing.

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When my son was at school other children discovered that sudden loud noises upset him and they delighted in sneaking up behind him and yelling 'Boo!' loudly in his ear, then laughed with glee when he became very upset with both the yelling and the laughing.

Gillian

I am sorry to hear that your son experienced that, children can be cruel and not realise how others are feeling. I know I must have been so to at times as a child.


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I don't expect to know from on here if I have an ASD, obviously as it is the internet, and people on the internet sometimes have pseudo symptoms from hearing others discuss symptoms online.

I kind of understand though why people might wonder sometimes if they are.

Yes, I think I was probably a bit cruel too as a child, but I don't remember taking part in any collective taunting that the children of today love to do.

You're wise not to diagnose yourself from reading on the internet about other people's experiences of autism. Probably best to speak to your doctor about it if you think you might be on the spectrum.

Gillian

Whether or not you're one of "us", the best thing you can do is just try and avoid these sorts of loud noises. I've hated fireworks, too, but for me I was just paranoid that the colorful fire stuff would somehow rain down on me from above and it would come so fast I wouldn't be able to dodge it! XD Yeah, it's paranoid.

But the sounds I always hated were sudden sneezes (some people in my family just HAVE to sneeze loudly, it's annoying), and dogs barking. It just sounds so aggressive and scares me and makes me jump. But it's not so bad now. I've never had any major sensory issues, aside from maybe not liking the strong smell of chocolate.

If you're in a situation where it's inevitable, sort of mentally "anticipate" the sound. That's what I do when I go hunting with my dad (it's sort of a thing he likes to do). Those gunshots are loud and right up to my ear and make a sudden kick, and I hate that, and I get really anxious pulling the trigger to shoot that deer, so I just anticipate the fact that I will be hearing that sound shortly. And then it's quick and over with before I know it!

My son also hates sudden sneezes, especially where they're loud and accompanied by screaming. He has begun to recognize that they can be preceded by coughing and will cover his ears with his hands or fingers, but he doesn't always get that warning. He thinks the sneezer shouldn't have to scream the sneeze out and becomes quite resentful.

Gillian

I do think its not a good thing at all to rely on any self-diagnostic, or someone suggesting you or someone you know may be on a spectrum for a syndrome. It actually complicates things for mental health and doctors as they sometimes have to try and sort how someone arrived at a notion they might be on this or that spectrum. I really don't like generalised lists of "traits" being put on the internet without much proper guidence, and perhaps only a reply from someone else who did an online 'thingy' to find out for themselves. Clinical assessments are weighted and balanced with questions that can cancel out, and someone with experience interviewing - rather than a list of traits you look down to see if you have any.

Is there any possibility that some people are not on this ASD "spectrum" at all?