Aspergers and fireworks by Aaron Tanner

This Saturday marks 244 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States of America was born. Many people in this country celebrate the holiday by grilling out, attending festivals, or relaxing by the lake or pool.

For those familiar with American customs, the 4th of July usually means fireworks. While seeing gunpowder shot into the sky into many beautiful colors is mesmerizing, for someone with sensory deficiencies, like is the case with many people on the Autism spectrum, fireworks can be painful and lead to a meltdown.

I used to be terrified of fireworks as a child because the sounds they made were painful. As I have gotten older, fireworks are not as big a sensory problem as in my younger years. Even though there is a fireworks display near my house in a park, I often stand a long distance from the event and have to wear sturdy earplugs to watch the show.

My reasoning behind fireworks not being as intense as other stimuli, in my opinion, is that the sound comes from one source, in this case, a firework. Whereas at a party, several different conversations often congeal into a noise of confusion and can lead to sensory overload and meltdowns. Being outside allows the sound of fireworks to escape into the atmosphere. In contrast, an indoor event with many different conversations going on at the same time gets trapped inside the building, so the sound stays inside in confined spaces, increasing the likelihood of sensory overload.

If the local fireworks show is too much for someone on the spectrum or anyone else suffering from Sensory Processing Disorder, an alternative is watching fireworks on TV or other streaming platforms. Despite Covid-19, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular from New York City will air this year on NBC. For those in north Alabama who can receive Birmingham channels, fireworks from Vulcan on Red Mountain will be simulcast on WBRC 6 this year at 9 P.M. This way, one can enjoy fireworks in a safe and controlled environment, and one can control the volume.

Here are a couple of other sites with suggestions for helping those on the Autism Spectrum enjoy Independence Day. Anyone who suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder should consider applying these guidelines during this particular holiday.

https://www.autismeducates.com/2018/06/28/autism_fireworks/

https://www.especialneeds.com/blog/autism-fireworks-fourth-of-july/

https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-with-Loud-Fireworks-if-You%27re-Autistic

Comment in the section below about your plans for the 4th of July.