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Autism Sensory Overload: Fireworks Season Distress
30 Oct
Summary
- Autistic individuals experience distress from loud firework noises.
- A petition seeks firework control zones in East Dunbartonshire.
- Glasgow and Edinburgh have implemented similar firework control zones.
The annual fireworks season causes significant distress for individuals with autism, as loud noises can lead to sensory overload. Grace Miller, a six-year-old with autism, experiences nightly crying fits and deep distress from the constant explosions that occur from October onwards.
Her mother, Laura, has initiated a petition urging East Dunbartonshire Council to implement firework control zones. This measure, already adopted in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, restricts firework usage on private property. Laura emphasizes that the impact on vulnerable people with conditions like autism is often overlooked, unlike the more publicized concerns for animals.
Jonathan Blythe, a 41-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome living in Glasgow, also dreads this period. He describes nightly disruptions and personal distress, sometimes necessitating driving for hours to find quiet. Despite such experiences, East Dunbartonshire Council notes that misuse of fireworks is relatively limited in their area, suggesting control zones are intended for significant disorder rather than general nuisance.
