Why does noise sensitivity worse in winter for ASD child?

[gdaysport]

Last year around the same time, DD suddenly became extremely reactive to sounds - in particular - children screaming and crying. It had a huge impact on her as we could not take her to most places without distress and upset. And then in the Spring, she suddenly and quite abruptly seemed to completely get over it.

And then as quickly as it left, at the same time of year - shes now back to being extremely sensitive to sound. Its happened so quickly - to the point we had to come back from holiday early as she couldnt handle anything that was likely to have other children there.

She wears ear defenders which help a little bit. She attends nursery full time.

I guess I am just wondering what is it about this time of year that triggers the behaviour, or is it a coincidence?

DH seemed to think that naturally being indoors more including at nursery, having the garden doors closed makes things noisier and busier, but she can hear a child cry across a field and lose her shit.

DD is 3.5.

My first guess would be that there's something else that happens this time of year which is pushing her closer to her tolerance threshold. Bulky uncomfortable winter clothing, sparkly lights and baubles and loud Christmas music, uncomfortable weather (cold, wet, windy), changes in routine, different foods, something like that — when you're closer to the edge it takes less to tip you over.

Such a good point - we have noticed that its like she has a tolerance cup and if its too full then she cannot cope. This is the only logical explanation as to how on one playground visit with a bad night's sleep there may be one child who squeaks and she cannot cope, but the next day charge towards an absolutely heaving playground with no issues.

Yeah — the bad night's sleep is a perfect example, and also one that I think most people could relate to, whether they're an autistic 3 year old or not

The other thing to keep in mind is that, in my experience, something doesn't have to be uncomfortable or unpleasant for it to start filling up the tolerance cup. Bad stress or good stress — distress or excitement — it's all stress, and can all raise your level of arousal and decrease your ability to cope with stimuli that you can normally manage. I guess everyone knows this on one level; we've all seen overexcited kids or ones who've been taken for a lovely day out, misbehaving uncharacteristically or bursting into tears at nothing. But with ASD, it's not always so obvious that the level is rising, or why, and the stressors might not seem stressful at all to other people.

Another reason I personally have observed this year (I'm a late diagnosed Autistic) is whilst ill with a cold, my ears have become sore, and therefore more sensitive.

I would also agree with the above reasons. This season is a nightmare, bloody christmas music everywhere, blaring loud "because it's jolly", flashing lights everywhere, extra visual clutter and stimulation. People are rushing, frantic, and that rubs off on children too. It's an unrelenting assault on the senses.

That's not to say, as the PP said, it can still be enjoyable, but over-stimulating.

I would suggest having some calm, normal to you spaces to decompress in. The noise cancelling earphones are great. Perhaps more time wearing them if needed.

Maybe its a more hemmed in trapped feeling when it's dark outside from so early. I certainly feel it.

Overwhelm of her senses I guess. Loads of lights, flashing, twinkling, Christmas music everywhere, far more people than usual.

I'm autistic and when I get overwhelmed I can smell much more than usual. Which means I get everything mixed together and it smells disgusting! And sounds also become much louder for me, and it seems like my brain is rattling in my head.

Being old enough to know my triggers I tend to avoid shops as much as possible at this time of year. If I'm on my own I'll listen to music on earphones to drown out noise and shop as quick as possible.

All of DDs autistic traits become more obvious in the winter, she describes it as because she is often run down she doesn't feel in control of her body which makes her tolerance for other things lower, plus its dark and dreary similarly when her hayfever is bad in the spring and autumn. When shes in good health she tolerates everything much better, like anyone really.

For my daughter, it's a general 'heightening' of the nervous system that makes everything more difficult and especially noise. Everything is 'more' , there's a general excitement of waiting which makes the body tense, routines are changed , at school staff are off sick, classes changed, different food, everyone is 'jolly', unexpected presents etc etc then the normal sound of someone sneezing sends her into a frightened crying fit...it might be similar for your daughter. They 'cope' and tolerate so much but winter is sustained moreness.