If you have sensory issues yourself, how do you cope with your dc's screeching etc? Amber are you there?

[kettlechip]

I know it's an odd question but I've been wondering about this for a while. I'm not on the spectrum but have recently realised that I've always had some mild sensory issues. I can't sit in a room with a fluorescent overhead light, stand flickering lights, buzzing noises, screeching etc. I find them physically painful sensations to bear.

So my question is, if you have sensory issues yourself, how on earth do you cope with your dc's while they are going through the screechy, clambery phase? DH is working away so I have no respite from them and am seriously considering ear plugs at the moment..!

bump. kettlechip, am intrested in this for same reason!bump de bump bump bump!

I'm in the same boat so will watch with interest.
DD3 is two..need I say more?
DD2, having aspergers and being very intolerent of loud noises (god forbid I should raise my voice ), is quite happy to make all kinds of strange high-pitched noises herself at top volume.

How on earth do I cope? Same way I cope with everything else - as best I can. DS was a fighter and runner, fairly nonverbal and very obsessional, which made for an interesting first 3 and a half years until he learned enough speech to be able to talk rather than yell and hit and throw things.

I had a large number of meltdowns, to be honest
You know that ad where some mum takes their child into a supermarket and they scream and throw things and lie down on the floor, so she does too? It was a bit like that except without the public screaming and lying down. I'd be able to 'bottle it up' all day, because I had to - I was the sole carer 8 till 7. But when dh came home, I'd have to escape to a bedroom and just let the overwhelmingness overtake me.

At least he slept pretty well at night, and napped in the day for the first 2 years. It was a huge relief. If I hadn't had those breaks, I think I'd have been on strong medication to get through it. All of the screaming, the nappy smells, the noise at toddler groups etc - everything had to be worked round. But there's always a way.

When we found a way to communicate with each other, it's worked beautifully. I've been able to show him ways to think about things, I've been able to anticipate what people may say or do, guide him in the ways of the NT world, etc. I didn't mind his obsessions, and he copes with mine.

So it's been a mixed blessing, really. It can be done. And it can really work. But I have to respect those with an ASD who say "er, no thanks!"

Thanks Amber, I knew you'd explain it well.

I often find it almost unbearable when they're both in meltdown (aged 3.8 and 1.8, need I say more..?), so can't imagine how you coped with the sensory overload of a small child during the early years. I guess, as you say, you just do because you have to.

Fingers crossed that this screechy phase passes soon though

Kettlechip, I couldn't do what you're doing. Two that close together would have been totally beyond my coping skills.

Dh actually found it much, much harder than I did. He still can't cope with lots of noise in the house, so has to shut himself away if ds has a band of youths round for a while.

Earplugs work quite well, I found.

lol at band of youths! I don't blame your DH..