3 yr old covering ears all the time - should I be worried?

[LimesMum]

DD is almost 3, for a few months now she has been covering both ears with her hands - like cupping them.

This happens when she has done something wrong and thinks she's about to be told off, when she is scared of something or when she is told off/disciplined

Someone mentioned it could be a sign of autism - I'm a bit worried but haven't noticed any other signs of this.

Hope someone can reassure me? Thanks

I wouldn't worry if it there aren't other signs

Many children with autism dislike loud noises and try to shield their ears but many are just fine with loud noises, thank you very much :) and many children without autism are scared of things like hand dryers and fireworks and shouting and thumping music.

Is there anything else you're concerned about? Alone it sounds completely NT to me :)

My 3yo done this, turned out he had glue ear. Any loud noises or raised voices would result in ears being cupped.

Really?

Some kids are very sensitive to noise

My DS used to hide underneath a table with his hands over his ears during noisy playdates.... even when he was 10! Secondary school has hardened him a bit...

But, you know, some kids (and grown ups) are just sensitive in general, or sensitive about sounds.

FWIW, both my DC have various traits that mean people have asked if they are "on the spectrum"

Sound sensitivity, needing to cut labels out of clothes, unable to eat food with certain textures.... sensory "issues", but they are actually quite average kids.

Don't worry!

It sounds to me like she is simply covering her ears to avoid hearing something, be it a telling off or a loud scary noise. That doesn't sound worrying to me. Plenty of children don't like loud noises (my 3 year old is one) and nobody likes being told off

It's only a sign of Autism if it's in response to sounds like hoovers, traffic or hand dryers OP.

I would take her to the GP to get her ears checked.

It's not only a sign of autism if it's in response to hoovers and hairdryers.

That's not correct.

My son does it as a reaction to an excess of emotional or stimulation . He might do it if a sound is too intense but he can do it if he is stressed or upset by anything.

No one on here can tell if it is indicative of ASD or not and the 'don't worry' advice is either unhelpful or pointless.
I would go and talk to your GP about getting hearing tested and talk about whether there are any other indications of ASD.
It is probably nothing but it's been raised and you are concerned so I would check it out.

My dd1 did this when younger. She's on the spectrum and had glue ear, so we'll never know which one of those led to the ear-covering! I wouldn't have had her checked for either of those things for the ear-covering on its own, however. There were other issues as well.

If you're really worried about ASD, the symptoms at this age are generally speech delay, inappropriate or delayed play skills, and difficulties in coping with change. You might notice that your child doesn't respond to or use symbolic gestures (waving, pointing) and may avoid eye contact.

Lots of kids on the spectrum are sensitive to noise, but tons of neurotypical toddlers are frightened of loud noises too.

All the best x

Take her to the gp to get her ears checked out before you worry about autism.

Pagwatch, my boy does this too! I think it's an attempt to reduce stimulus when he's overwhelmed.

Thanks all - it's very rarely to loud noises, mostly to fear, anxiety and when being told off!! She tends to do it be crouch down on the floor. I haven't noticed any other if the traits you've mentioned but will keep an eye on her.she does always paid in public toilets and beg not to use the hand dryer.....

NOtfinished, yes - that's it.
It's just him controlling one thing that he can while feeling overwhelmed.