It’s OK, It’s Just What He Does
Due to his sound sensitivity Daniel will cover his ears much of the time he is out in public. He prefers self-filtering rather than using headphones most likely because of his touch sensitivity. Consequently I get a lot of looks on the freeway from people thinking I have my car stereo on too loud when actually I do not have it on at all.
So Daniel wanted to visit the Science Center a few weeks back where it was abuzz with tourists and locals checking out the many museum exhibits and such. All the way there Daniel firmly placed the tips of his pointer fingers to his ears while trying to block any offensive traffic noises.
At each outing I try to park a distance away so the walk will provide an opportunity to work off any anxiety from the car ride over. On this day, as we approached the museum we could hear the unmistakable sounds of a bagpipe in the distance. As we ventured closer we could see the bagpiper performing while a small crowd of people stood and enjoyed the music. Danny was not pleased although he was intrigued by what created such sounds so he walked directly up to the musician with his ears covered. I promptly pulled him away from the area and redirected his attention to the door of our original destination.
If you know autism and/or sensory issues you knew what was up but if you didn’t you might have thought this was an insulting gesture towards the musician.
So just in case you should happen to see us out and about in San Diego I want everyone to know, he doesn’t mean anything by it, it’s just what he does and he’s doing the best he can.
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@MiShOuS@xanga – Thank you for your post. Friends, oh that would be so Great! A Goal Worth Working On for Sure:)
@melapeach@xanga – LOL reading your post in the early AM and have to say I agree. Thanks for the chuckle!!! 🙂
awww.. how cute is that!
yeah I see kids doing that all the time… totally understandable… jus get him too socialize more.
I’m sure he’ll be fine… he just needs some friends 🙂
I’m sure he’s a very sweet boy. He’s very fortunate to have such a supportive parent.
Forgive me if this sounds offensive, I don’t mean it to be, but I think he would be great to be Paula Abdul’s replacement on American Idol. So many of those contestants sound terrible.
Good luck to you!
@ZenPaper@xanga – Danny had a blast!! 🙂 There were a few day camper groups there but he did very well even with the noise. I thank you for your comment and sincerely hope you visit again I’m going to check out in my back yard to see if I find any of those fairies you speak of. 🙂
@InvisibleMuslimah@xanga – Oh yes. If no one noticed the ear plugging they surely noticed the jumping up and down and patting on his chest afterward. All with a smile on his face so it was a good day. He has a brother 15 so you probably have a lot in common. I checked out your site and love the positive nature of your writing. Thank you so much for your post 🙂
Ahh, this all sounds soo familiar. My brother, who is now 22, used to do that a lot when he was 13 and under. He still has his unique sensory perception issues, but somehow not as much as when he was a little guy. I never thought about how it was interpretted by other people, mainly because he had other behaviors that stood out more, hehe. Being two years older than him, I was highly sensitive to the embarrassing behaviors. But covering his ears and scanning were two of my brother’s hallmarks.
Thank you for the post ^^
How was the museum tour?
Hope it is not too noisy inside
@MF2_angel@xanga – I really appreciate your comments!! Some intelligent young people blogging and that is Awesome to see! We love Scrubs Too, When J.D. tilts his head, get ready for the funny to happen 🙂 Take Care
I wouldn’t stare, I’ve seen lots of little kids and babies do this. With or without autism. So I don’t think it’s strange, I might take a look but I wouldn’t give a weird glance. Yeah, it is what your child does, who is to judge what you or him thinks is best.
@Christina_Cancerstick@xanga – Aww, Thank You So Much and Wishing The Best for You as Well 🙂
All the best for you and your son. He sounds adorable! =)
@aznspartan94@xanga – Yes, It is a favorite. Checked your blog… Love your humor! Thanks for visiting and come on back any time!
Ah, the bagpipers! The cultural area in Balboa park is really nice.
@quiversound@xanga – Not a fairy tail but an observation of someone I care deeply for. If we are lucky some day in the future, I hope my son can write his own story and let us know what he’s been observing and thinking these last 13 years. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
@goalfor6@xanga – You are right and I appreciate your comment. Thank You so much!!
That is so sad. Because people just don’t understand if they don’t know
I’m not familiar with autism at all.
But after reading this post, I hear some fairytale narrator revealing the thoughts of the liitle boys brain. then the way he interpreted the looks he was given. It’s a funny thing to think about…
@Morningstarrising@xanga – That is funny!! I used to write this stuff for my own theraputic purposes but it’s nice to have a community that understands what’s up. Thank you so much for the laughter!!
My daughter does the same thing sometimes… I’m not sure if it’s the noise or the feeling of her hands pressed tightly against her ears, but it is often unpredictable (and has offended more than one street performer…lol).
@P1AutismMom@xanga – Thank you, good wishes to you & your son, (:
@Duhiana@xanga – Thank you for your post comment. Im glad you enjoyed it even though you don’t know why 🙂 Good wishes to you and your little brother.
@P1AutismMom – You’re welcome, maybe one day he’ll be able to tolerate ear plugs and glasses.
@jeannicol – Hello and thank you for your post. His OT tried several types of ear plugs which he promptly pulled away. He squints all the time too but he won’t wear sunglasses and I can’t live without them. I guess if he has to choose between self regulating and wearing any type of device on or near his head he chooses the former. I do appreciate your imput as I’m always looking for something, anything to help his situation. 🙂 Thank You
Did you know that you can get hearing aids made to filter noise to an acceptable level – the reverse of a usual hearing aid. This may be easier for those with touch sensitivity. One child I taught was estimated to have hearing levels 10 times the norm. I can’t even imagine that in a so called “quiet” environment never mind so many noisy environments.
my little brother is diagnosed with autism, and he does the same thing too, especially in loud public areas.
I like this post though, can’t explain exactly why but maybe I can relate to it exactly in a way.