DS 3 covering his ears

[Flowerpup]

My son used to do this when he was younger to hand dryers, hairdryer and various other noises that he may have thought were too loud. He stopped for a good few months and I thought he's grown out of it etc. Yesterday he started again at playgroup and he's done it again this morning watching tv. It was suggested by HV that it is an autism trait however I've looked into the other signs and it appears that he only has this trait. Ears were checked at hospital a couple of months ago and showed he has perfect hearing. Anyone else's children do this? Did they just stop and start? Any info appreciated, thanks

Ds3 (7) does this. He is very sensitive to noise. It appears to be certain sounds as he will watch the television with the volume full blast but other things cause real problems. We can't have the car window down when we are travelling in the car as he can't bear that sound.

Ds (4) was the same. Hair/hand dryers etc, but the worst was parties. Sometimes the noise level/type would make him cry! He's better now, although he's still sensitive to some noises.

Ds 3 also does this when things are too loud but he also does it to make things sound funny, ie muffled, in an experimental rather than upset way. Recently he's taken to doing it when I ask him to help tidy up!

DS1 does this. He gets really upset at fireworks, Christmas crackers, balloons bursting, even other DC at soft play slamming the crash mats down noisily. He often takes a while to settle at birthday parties because he's looking around for any balloon that might burst. He is 5 & has always been like it. We took him to ENT at the hospital where the Dr explained there was nothing wrong with his ears, but there is a bit (of cartilage I think) that doesn't grow completely for a while, can take longer in some DC & they can be more sensitive to noises until this happens. In the meantime, we just accept it as part of who he is & he is better now than he was at 2/3.

That's right sensiivt, it is part of ASD, Sensory processing disorder and Glue ear plus a lot of other things so it's worth following up.

www.autism.org.uk/