Newly diagnosed son- problem with applause

Post Reply New Topic

Hi, my son is almost 5, just diagnosed with AS a few months ago. He has an intense hatred for applause. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this or has any suggestions to help deal with this. We first noticed this problem when he was about 2 years old at birthday parties. After the birthday song, people would clap and our son would cry. Since then, it's gotten much worse. Now, he explodes in a rage and throws himself onto the floor (sometimes hurting himself). We've tried practicing at home, bribing him with toys/treats. Nothing has worked. Now, we just try to avoid these situations, but clapping is everywhere--ball games, story time at the library, restaurants, and school--and we just can't avoid. Rhythmic clapping does not bother him. Also, clapping on TV doesn't bother him. The only other loud noise that bothers him is the toilet flushing. Thanks!

Practicing what, bribing with what?

This is a sensory issue. Bring some earplugs or noise cancellation headphones with him, instruct him (or help him) use these. Does he immediately explode? I would also try to teach him to be able to leave the area first, if it's in a small room like a classroom or library. I don't think there is anything that can be done about auditory sensory issues other than learning to avoid the causes and trying to cope with it.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

can he clap along? or does that bother him too? I hated noise as a kid, so I would make myself louder, to "scare" away the noise. It worked. my son hates loud noisies, but he loves music, so we try to make music out of loud noisies. so far its worked brillantly. maybe you could try having him clap when he hears/sees other clapping. or try to make a rythem out of it.

Welcome greetings to the WP community, lisacgross.

He will most probably grow out of it, i don't think there's much anybody can do about it right now tho

Introduce music to him.

We would practice singing the birthday song and then everyone in the family would clap. If he didn't explode we would give him a treat. When he didn't care about getting the treat (something he really, really wanted), we decided it was a problem that he couldn't control. Like you said, a sensory issue. Yes, he immediately explodes when the applause starts. We tried noise canceling headphones at a graduation ceremony (where applause was happening every few minutes) but it made him too nervous to wear them. He didn't want to leave them on (which I understand) but then when applause would start, we couldn't get them on fast enough. I think it's a good idea to teach him to leave the area. We will try that. Thanks.

Last edited by lisacgross on 05 Sep 2010, 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

So far, he refuses to clap along. Interesting idea about making a rhythm out of it. Thanks for the idea.

To WrongPlanet!! !

I too have a problem with noise and crowds.