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Can ABA Therapy Help a Child Who is Afraid of Loud Noises?

A hallmark symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is sensory sensitivity issues. Some children with autism face hypersensitivity to certain sensory stimuli, while others face hyposensitivity.

This could mean that they either have an aversion to certain stimuli (such as not liking the feel of certain textures) or they are drawn to it (such as finding comfort by rubbing their bodies on certain textures).

These sensitivities can cause major disruptions in life, depending on what they are. For example, if a child with autism is afraid of loud noises, it might make it difficult for them to go into certain public situations such as restaurants, sporting events or even school.

Being afraid of loud noises may even cause the child a lot of stress, anxiety and fear when a thunderstorm happens.

Luckily, applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) can help children who are afraid of loud noises, or have other challenges when it comes to sensory stimuli. In this article, we’ll discuss how ABA therapy, the leading treatment for children with autism, helps patients manage these challenges.

Table Of Contents

Understanding the Triggers

Before effective strategies can begin to be implemented in ABA therapy, the team must first identify what the child’s unique challenges with loud noises are. In other words, are they afraid of all loud noises or only certain loud noises?

Do they face other sensory sensitivities, or is it just confined to loud noises? How do they react when they hear a loud noise?

This information will help guide the ABA therapy treatment plan so that it can be effective at addressing the challenges. Without this knowledge, ABA therapists would be “flying blind,” so to speak, and hoping that general strategies would help the child manage their fears, anxieties and stress.

One way that therapists might identify the triggers is by following what’s called sound desensitization. This involves gradually and carefully exposing the patient to certain sounds that might cause them discomfort.

This will provide a safe and controlled environment through which therapists can identify the triggers while also being there to support the child if they react negatively.

Section Key Concepts ABA Therapy Strategies
Sensory Sensitivities Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to stimuli Personalized treatment plans
Identifying Triggers Specific loud noise reactions, patterns Sound desensitization, observation
Coping Techniques Tools like sensory toys, headphones Teaching deep breathing, proactive strategies
Sound Tolerance Progress tracking Data-driven adaptation of techniques
Blue Gems ABA Role Specialized in sensory sensitivities Provides customized ABA therapy plans

Coping Techniques

It’s virtually impossible to create a world where someone would be completely isolated and insulated from the things that cause them fear and discomfort. Even if that could  be done, it wouldn’t be beneficial to  them in the long run.

Since it’s inevitable that a child with autism will be exposed to loud noises throughout their life, it’s important that ABA therapists teach them coping techniques so they can better manage their fears.

This could be something as simple as deep breathing or having sensory toys to play with or sensory tools such as noise-canceling headphones handy in case they do become anxious, afraid or overwhelmed. These techniques aren’t avoiding the problem, but rather addressing it head on, allowing children to work on their coping abilities.

These coping strategies are something that, once mastered, the children can use throughout their lives in various scenarios — regardless of whether they’re managing fear of loud noises or anxiety related to entering a new situation for the first time.

Challenge Impact ABA Therapy Solution
Fear of loud noises Avoidance of public places, anxiety Sound desensitization, coping tools
Lack of coping skills High stress levels in noisy environments Teach practical strategies, use tools
Ongoing distress Difficulty functioning daily Adapt interventions based on data

 Sound Tolerance

As all of these strategies and techniques are being administered in ABA therapy sessions, therapists will be collecting data so they can analyze the success of the interventions at a later time. This data collection and analysis forms the backbone of the science-based approach to learning and behavior that this treatment plan is.

What the therapy team will be assessing in this regard is the child’s progress in sound tolerance. In other words, are they becoming more tolerant and less afraid of the sounds that used to cause them extreme distress, anxiety and fear?

If the answer is yes, then the same strategies and techniques will be used to help the child continue to progress. If the answer is no, the strategies and techniques can be tweaked and/or replaced to achieve an outcome in which the child is better able to manage their fear of loud noises.

Blue Gems ABA Addresses Children’s Sensory Sensitivities

Sensory sensitivities are a hallmark symptom of ASD. These sensitivities can cause major challenges for children with autism as they navigate the world around them.

At Blue Gems ABA, we address these sensory sensitivities through ABA therapy, helping children overcome their fears and anxieties as it relates to things such as loud noises.

To learn more, please contact us today.