Happy Birthday America!!! For many years the fourth of July was a torturous punishment to me. While I adored the classic family barbecue tradition, I absolutely dreaded the annual neighborhood fireworks show.
Until the time leading up to my middle teens I was never able to get through the day without a meltdown. I have extreme sensitivity to certain noises and I am definitely not a big fan of booming. Every year when the festivities began I would lose all control I had over myself. It was not uncommon for people to see me running around the house screaming covering my ears. I remember in the past feeling ashamed at myself that here everyone else around me was having a grand old time and I was not able to do the same.
As I write tonight I am proud to say that while I still do not particularly like the noise that comes with it, I am at a place now where I am comfortable enough to enjoy them with my family. Do not get me wrong though, this was not an over night success but rather a result thanks to many years of therapy. Although I complained about going I am thankful now that I went. Each session I was dragged too I learned how to deal with sounds that bothered me in an appropriate manner.
Trying to find the right intervention is like playing a game of chess. You need a strategy with a back up plan if the one you tried did not work out. If you are struggling with a similar situation my best advice would be to keep trying different programs until you find one that works for you. It is a long process but the end result is well worth the journey.
Thank you for reading!!
Autistic Female
Autistic Female's Blog 