Daughter's fear of flies - please help!!!!

[nancyclancy123]

Towards the end of last summer, my dd 7 developed a fear of flies. She has autism and since the start of spring, her fear has started up again.

I just don't know what to do to help her, we've tried giving her fly swats, water sprays, sunglasses, everything to try and help her feel in control.
But she just screams and is now reluctant to leave the house. We can't continue like this, can anyone help?

Oh goodness, so tricky. Not much help I’m afraid. Dd was like this a year or so ago (almost 7, under assessment with poss Aspergers traits). It seems to have passed now but she freaks out around Daddy Long Leg season.

That must be so hard. Do you have an ASD support officer who can offer advice?

I think it's the unpredictable nature of flies / bees (they can veer of at any angle with no warning), and the buzzing.
My DS was the same - he's nowhere near as bad now (at 9) if that's any consolation.

I seem to remember that the lad in Richard & Jaco (excellent BBC Show) had a fear of bees and his dad found dark glasses worked quite well because they gave him an 'extra layer' of protection.

Worth seeking it out and watching if you can (and your DD to see she's not the only one and how Jaco deals with his fear)

(Oh you said you tried sunglasses).

Sometimes with my DS's fears if we break it down for him a bit it helps - so maybe a book / info sheet about flies.
(I just googled them - they do have a few uses for the world, despite their love of decaying matter (infact that is one of their uses!).)