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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Autistic child shouting/screaming in the garden

235 replies

SimplyStarry · 24/08/2025 15:48

Autistic child is mine! Please can I have some options as I am very on edge. My son is autistic and non-verbal although he does say lots of words. I’ve recently moved house to a nice area, nice house, quiet neighbours. The garden is quite big and any sound tends to echo around. DS is a loud vocal stimmer - if he plays with water outside or spins my rotary line he shouts and does a loud, low AAAAGH! I’m hyper aware of how loud he is.

I’m next door (not joined) to an older couple with an immaculate garden, they do look after their grandchildren but I’m aware of how loud my son is when they are sitting out their garden. Joined onto my house is a family with 3 kids so not too bad.

He only goes out after 10am and I make sure he’s in early. We do go out a lot so he’s not out all the time.

I try and tell him to be a bit quieter and distract him too. I’m concerned that a neighbour might complain. What would you do?

Thank you.

OP posts:
SleeplessInWherever · 25/08/2025 00:52

FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease · 25/08/2025 00:40

Not allow her child to cause them disturbance every day for hours on end?

Everything doesn't have to be at the extreme. It's not he either has to be out there screaming from 6am to 11pm, or locked inside. It's bizarre how avoidant of just simple, obvious, respectful solutions some people are.

It's just being a decent human. If your child makes loud noise that disturbs other people then you don't let them make it all day every day, in the garden, because it's easier for you as a parent. It's not suddenly acceptable because the child doesn't know any better. You do. Or at least you should.

And if that means more of a nuisance for you, so be it, welcome to responsible and accountable parenting.

It’s about priorities, for me.

Our son does not do want he wants.

He doesn’t go outside until at least 9am. On a weekend he’s taken out most of the day. Tomorrow, we’re going out, somewhere ideally not busy, but also not at home all day wreaking havoc.

He's not allowed to do obvious things, but things he’d still do if he “did want he wants,” such as:

  • hurt others (except us!)
  • go on other people’s property
  • take the food and drinks of others
  • walk in places or on things that have a queue
  • he has to share, or not play
  • run directly into traffic
  • shout at others
  • takeover play equipment and claim it as his own
  • take his clothes off in public

Every one of those can and does cause meltdowns.

What I don’t tell him he can’t do, is play outside. There are lots of things he’s not allowed to do that he would and doesn’t understand why. Why enjoying himself in his own garden would be one of them is beyond me.

TesChique · 25/08/2025 01:01

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 25/08/2025 00:49

I really don't think you should have to explain anything to your neighbours. I used to worry about this sort of thing but not any more. People need to be tolerant.

No but she should inform

Like if im having a bbq ill inform my neighbours it might get noisy

Or if my dog is alone fir a couple of hours ill inform he might bark

Its just tge decent thing to do, and any decent person knowing the situation would cut her some slack. Not knowing the situation is what may breed contempt

TesChique · 25/08/2025 01:02

SleeplessInWherever · 25/08/2025 00:52

It’s about priorities, for me.

Our son does not do want he wants.

He doesn’t go outside until at least 9am. On a weekend he’s taken out most of the day. Tomorrow, we’re going out, somewhere ideally not busy, but also not at home all day wreaking havoc.

He's not allowed to do obvious things, but things he’d still do if he “did want he wants,” such as:

  • hurt others (except us!)
  • go on other people’s property
  • take the food and drinks of others
  • walk in places or on things that have a queue
  • he has to share, or not play
  • run directly into traffic
  • shout at others
  • takeover play equipment and claim it as his own
  • take his clothes off in public

Every one of those can and does cause meltdowns.

What I don’t tell him he can’t do, is play outside. There are lots of things he’s not allowed to do that he would and doesn’t understand why. Why enjoying himself in his own garden would be one of them is beyond me.

Well, quite!

There but for the grace of god etc

dimsumfatsum · 25/08/2025 01:08

I’m in a terraced house where all the gardens are linked (built in a grid-like system) and there’s what I presume is an Autistic child who often comes into his garden and vocally stims, doesn’t bother me but that’s because I work with neurodivergent children and young people. My DC have asked what the noise is and I’ve explained that the young man struggles to share how he’s feeling with words so makes sounds instead. They were okay with that. In your case, I’d definitely give the neighbours a heads up so they know what’s happening.

hattie43 · 25/08/2025 01:09

TesChique · 25/08/2025 00:24

But on the flip side of what i just said, this view is also wrong.

You want total peace and quiet? Sell up and live miles away from ajyone

I do . I don’t have neighbours , except horses ,
I notice all those telling people who like peace and quiet to move well that’s as stupid as saying all those with autistic kids move where you can’t disturb anyone . Don’t inflict your antisocial noise on those who want peace . Telling people to move is silly .

TesChique · 25/08/2025 01:11

hattie43 · 25/08/2025 01:09

I do . I don’t have neighbours , except horses ,
I notice all those telling people who like peace and quiet to move well that’s as stupid as saying all those with autistic kids move where you can’t disturb anyone . Don’t inflict your antisocial noise on those who want peace . Telling people to move is silly .

Almost as silly as mistaking something out of someones control with deliberate anti social noise.

The kids in his own garden, theres lottle more the op can do

If his stim was banging on adjoined febces id get it but hes in his own space, all the op owes her neighboyrs is the consideration shes already showing them and information- not explanation

hattie43 · 25/08/2025 01:25

But it is anti social noise , whether or not it can be controlled is another issue .

Weepixie · 25/08/2025 01:36

Sweetmelonff · 24/08/2025 16:17

Absolutely

but I hope the op follows my advice to drop neighbours a note to explain

No explanation is necessary, especially one given with an apologetic tone. The situation speaks for itself.

Sweetmelonff · 25/08/2025 06:38

Weepixie · 25/08/2025 01:36

No explanation is necessary, especially one given with an apologetic tone. The situation speaks for itself.

Edited

So if a child is screaming in the garden… they definitely have SEN

Dont be daft.

Weepixie · 25/08/2025 07:24

You’re the daft one, and maybe even the neighbours as well if they think like you, that the vocal stimming (screaming as you call it) is the only indication that the OP’s DS is ND.

Now buzz off.

Sweetmelonff · 25/08/2025 08:42

Weepixie · 25/08/2025 07:24

You’re the daft one, and maybe even the neighbours as well if they think like you, that the vocal stimming (screaming as you call it) is the only indication that the OP’s DS is ND.

Now buzz off.

Edited

Heavens
make yourself a coffee, get some fresh air and hope your day improves

Buzzzz 🐝 😆

FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease · 25/08/2025 08:44

SleeplessInWherever · 25/08/2025 00:52

It’s about priorities, for me.

Our son does not do want he wants.

He doesn’t go outside until at least 9am. On a weekend he’s taken out most of the day. Tomorrow, we’re going out, somewhere ideally not busy, but also not at home all day wreaking havoc.

He's not allowed to do obvious things, but things he’d still do if he “did want he wants,” such as:

  • hurt others (except us!)
  • go on other people’s property
  • take the food and drinks of others
  • walk in places or on things that have a queue
  • he has to share, or not play
  • run directly into traffic
  • shout at others
  • takeover play equipment and claim it as his own
  • take his clothes off in public

Every one of those can and does cause meltdowns.

What I don’t tell him he can’t do, is play outside. There are lots of things he’s not allowed to do that he would and doesn’t understand why. Why enjoying himself in his own garden would be one of them is beyond me.

Yes I think we can all see it's beyond you.

birdling · 25/08/2025 08:47

I wouldn't have an issue with the noise at all.

However, you mention that the garden is echoey. Could you put any sort of sound absorbing materials on the walls etc as this might make a difference?
Whilst it might be expensive, it would be a worthwhile investment if you are going to be there long term.
Trees in pots might also help.

SleeplessInWherever · 25/08/2025 08:49

FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease · 25/08/2025 08:44

Yes I think we can all see it's beyond you.

Yes. There are certain boundaries I’m happy to have, and do have.

“Playing outside like other children are” is not one of them.

If what we’re saying is that it’s different because our children aren’t like others, so shouldn’t have the same access to play or outside time - that’s bigotry. Pure and simple.

SparkyBlue · 25/08/2025 08:51

I know a note is always suggested on MN but I find a note weirdly passive aggressive and odd I’d find it much easier to chat to the neighbours and explain the situation I can’t imagine why you’d write something to a person who lives next to you. I know it would be seen as a bit weird around where I am and something you’d only do if you’d fallen out with someone

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 25/08/2025 08:56

Aww I wonder if I'm your neighbour OP- we have a kid two doors down very similar to your son- oddly enough I can't stand noise in the garden when its peoples music but I quite like hearing his autistic stims. It's almost like a bird cawing. It's a happy noise to me.

Sweetmelonff · 25/08/2025 08:58

SparkyBlue · 25/08/2025 08:51

I know a note is always suggested on MN but I find a note weirdly passive aggressive and odd I’d find it much easier to chat to the neighbours and explain the situation I can’t imagine why you’d write something to a person who lives next to you. I know it would be seen as a bit weird around where I am and something you’d only do if you’d fallen out with someone

I think a note is better when you have zero relationship with your neighbour and not interacted before .

It puts ball in their court as to whether they respond or not. Plus it seems like so many these days (on MN) suffer from anxiety around unexpected visitors!

Ilovemyshed · 25/08/2025 09:01

Just go and see them and have a chat.

caringcarer · 25/08/2025 09:12

I live in a quiet detached house now with quiet neighbours. When my DC were small I lived in a semi. A family moved in nextdoor with an autistic DC probably late teen early 20's. He used to go in his garden and shout fuck, cunt, balls and tits really loudly and over and over. We had young DC and we put our house up for sale about 2 months after they moved in. I understood the neighbour couldn't help it but I didn't want to live next door to such bad language with young DC. If your DS gets too much your neighbours could always move.

LegoMaxifigure · 25/08/2025 09:27

Woah @FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease that's really uncalled for. The pp was explaining some of the things that can happen when you have children with particular needs. You obviously don't know these things.

Some people have a non verbal child or teenager who is constantly trying to harm himself or others, 24/7, and is impossible to stop, except for some things like stimming in the garden which regulates them. What do you think people in ordinary houses should do? There simply isn't an option to "not let them do it" as the pp explains. All the alternatives are noisier for the neighbours or more harmful for the child, not to mention exhausting for already exhausted parents.

Of course children with SEN that requires them to make noise to regulate themselves should be extended tolerance.

3.45pm to 9pm every night in summer with absolutely constant noise is difficult for neighbours. Completely agree. It's no fun for anyone.

But some people, as eloquently explained above, are ALREADY compromising to live like that. Not letting children out at night. Working hard the other 18 hours of the day to keep them fed, slept enough and ideally in some kind of education.

It probably is possible to support children who stim loudly, a bit, to reduce noise somewhat, but you often need loads of time, energy, patience, knowledge, intellect, resources and support to do it. Perhaps a child who loves banging a bin would stop if given a £500 electric drum kit with headphones. For example. But you'd have to think of that and have the money to do it and probably work over a period of months to get the guy used to it! And it wouldn't work in many cases.

Also - people on here are misusing "quiet enjoyment". It doesn't mean we all have a right to quiet gardens. It means if you are renting your landlord isn't allowed to let themselves in and bother you and come into your property with no notice. That's all.

Unless noise is during antisocial hours or really a million decibels all the time, you do have to just suck it up.

She clearly does not give a damn about any of her neighbours and her posts are extremely aggressive and very much, "You are all a disgrace as my son is disabled. You are discriminating against him which is illegal".

This particular woman sounds aggressive and unpleasant but she lives with a severely disabled child all the time and who's to say she doesn't also have her own challenges. She doesn't sound well regulated herself.

Basically having the kind of SEN which means you stim loudly is shit for you, shit for your parents, and to a lesser degree shit for neighbours. We all as a community have the unfortunate bad luck of living with a level of disability which impacts society.

The people who don't like noise, but have more resources, can use the same level of skill, flexibility and imagination they are demanding SEN parents to deploy, to improve their own lot.

Buy an air con unit so you can sit indoors when it's hot and don't have to be in the garden if it is noisy.
Plan your holidays and breaks so you are away in school holidays.
Get up at 5am and enjoy the peaceful garden before breakfast.
Get a job where your shifts are in the evening, so you're out when the noise happens.

Work from home and flex your time, you can relax in the garden at 10am instead, when your loud neighbour's child is at school.

Does this sound impossible, resource intensive, would make your life harder and be extremely inconvenient? Well yes, exactly.

Sidebeforeself · 25/08/2025 09:49

Ilovemyshed · 25/08/2025 09:01

Just go and see them and have a chat.

Eight pages in and finally some common sense!

SimplyStarry · 25/08/2025 09:59

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 25/08/2025 08:56

Aww I wonder if I'm your neighbour OP- we have a kid two doors down very similar to your son- oddly enough I can't stand noise in the garden when its peoples music but I quite like hearing his autistic stims. It's almost like a bird cawing. It's a happy noise to me.

Aww that is very sweet. Yes I’ve also had neighbours playing horrific techno music all day long or smoking weed and swearing loudly. A vocal stim that can’t be helped suddenly isn’t so bad!

OP posts:
OhGodImSoTired · 25/08/2025 10:16

@SimplyStarry I'd go with the note to the neighbours. i hear you on this one: solidarity. We have the jackpot of the loud vocal stimming, the screeching meltdowns (during the day too as DS is homeschooled because he's been pushed out of school).... and the music practice for 3 instruments, which is what DS would do all day and night if possible. Often music practice involves vocal stims, and screeching meltdowns. Our houses are detached, insulated, double glazed, on quarter-acre blocks and the neighbours still all hate us (except the professional muso down the road, who loves us).

RubySquid · 25/08/2025 10:42

LegoMaxifigure · 25/08/2025 09:27

Woah @FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease that's really uncalled for. The pp was explaining some of the things that can happen when you have children with particular needs. You obviously don't know these things.

Some people have a non verbal child or teenager who is constantly trying to harm himself or others, 24/7, and is impossible to stop, except for some things like stimming in the garden which regulates them. What do you think people in ordinary houses should do? There simply isn't an option to "not let them do it" as the pp explains. All the alternatives are noisier for the neighbours or more harmful for the child, not to mention exhausting for already exhausted parents.

Of course children with SEN that requires them to make noise to regulate themselves should be extended tolerance.

3.45pm to 9pm every night in summer with absolutely constant noise is difficult for neighbours. Completely agree. It's no fun for anyone.

But some people, as eloquently explained above, are ALREADY compromising to live like that. Not letting children out at night. Working hard the other 18 hours of the day to keep them fed, slept enough and ideally in some kind of education.

It probably is possible to support children who stim loudly, a bit, to reduce noise somewhat, but you often need loads of time, energy, patience, knowledge, intellect, resources and support to do it. Perhaps a child who loves banging a bin would stop if given a £500 electric drum kit with headphones. For example. But you'd have to think of that and have the money to do it and probably work over a period of months to get the guy used to it! And it wouldn't work in many cases.

Also - people on here are misusing "quiet enjoyment". It doesn't mean we all have a right to quiet gardens. It means if you are renting your landlord isn't allowed to let themselves in and bother you and come into your property with no notice. That's all.

Unless noise is during antisocial hours or really a million decibels all the time, you do have to just suck it up.

She clearly does not give a damn about any of her neighbours and her posts are extremely aggressive and very much, "You are all a disgrace as my son is disabled. You are discriminating against him which is illegal".

This particular woman sounds aggressive and unpleasant but she lives with a severely disabled child all the time and who's to say she doesn't also have her own challenges. She doesn't sound well regulated herself.

Basically having the kind of SEN which means you stim loudly is shit for you, shit for your parents, and to a lesser degree shit for neighbours. We all as a community have the unfortunate bad luck of living with a level of disability which impacts society.

The people who don't like noise, but have more resources, can use the same level of skill, flexibility and imagination they are demanding SEN parents to deploy, to improve their own lot.

Buy an air con unit so you can sit indoors when it's hot and don't have to be in the garden if it is noisy.
Plan your holidays and breaks so you are away in school holidays.
Get up at 5am and enjoy the peaceful garden before breakfast.
Get a job where your shifts are in the evening, so you're out when the noise happens.

Work from home and flex your time, you can relax in the garden at 10am instead, when your loud neighbour's child is at school.

Does this sound impossible, resource intensive, would make your life harder and be extremely inconvenient? Well yes, exactly.

Seriously?

GeordiePonyPrincess · 25/08/2025 11:14

The tone of some of the messages on this thread…as the parent of two ASD children, my youngest being profoundly autistic and non-verbal, I find it so disheartening. The odds are stacked against us every day. Even getting an EHCP is a battle. And to top it off, some people obviously think we should go back to the old days and pack our ‘anti-social’ children off where they can’t be seen or heard.

Bollocks to that, to be honest.