We’ve all done it. When a fire alarm suddenly goes off or an ambulance tears by with its siren blaring, we cover our ears. It’s a natural reaction to loud noise to cover your ears. To block out loud or unpleasant noises and reduce sound reaching our eardrums. Not only does this relieve sensory overload, but it is also helpful when experiencing discomfort from intense sounds.
But at Heartlinks, we’re often asked, “Is covering ears a sign of autism?” The answer is varied. About 70% of people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) demonstrate unusual reactions to sensory stimuli, including covering their ears. But if a child covering their ears with their hands is the only symptom, this doesn’t necessarily mean they have autism.
Read on to learn more about how a child covering their ears and autism are related, but having one doesn’t necessarily mean you have the other.
Is Covering Ears an Indication of Autism?
Not all children covering their ears have autism, and not all autistic children cover their ears. While sensory processing difficulties are a cornerstone feature of autism, many children on the spectrum have difficulty filtering or modulating sensory input, leading them to cover their ears and take a moment to look at the broader picture. If covering their ears is the only behavior your child exhibits, and they show none of the other signs or symptoms of autism for a toddler or the indicators from a teenager, there’s no need to panic.
However, if your child with ASD demonstrates additional behaviors in addition to protecting their ears, it would be worth your time to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis. These behaviors could include:
- Delayed Language
- Repetitive Behaviors of Body Movements
- Communication Difficulties
A thorough evaluation can provide tremendous clarity and insight and help determine the most effective support your child may need.
Why Does My Child Cover Their Ears?
There are several different reasons why an autistic child might cover their ears, including:
- Self-soothing techniques
- Discomfort experienced with certain sounds
- Sensory overload
Self-Soothing Techniques
Children on the spectrum often cover their ears as a means of self-soothing techniques or stimming. This behavior can be learned when children are young, regardless of whether they’re experiencing discomfort, pain, or sensory overload. Stimming serves an important purpose for children with autism. It is believed to help them regulate their emotions, handle feelings of over- or under-stimulation, or better manage physical pain. Other types of stimming include finger-flicking, scratching, and spinning.
Discomfort Experienced with Certain Sounds
Adults and children on the spectrum can experience physical pain when sounds reach a certain decibel level due to their hypersensitivity to sound, which is often linked to how autism impacts the brain. The autistic brain processes sensory input differently, making certain sounds overwhelming or painful. To handle this heightened sensory activity, they might cover their ears to help them avoid these noises. They muff the sound by doing so, reducing its discomfort and pain.
Sensory Seeking
In rare situations, children might be covering their ears as part of a sensory-seeking behavior. This is usually done if the person enjoys muffled sounds or the pressure on their ears. However, this is uncommon, and covering ears is more commonly associated with sensory-avoidant behaviors.
Sensory Overload
If an autistic child is experiencing too much sensory input, this can lead to sensory overload, leading to a state of overwhelm. This sensory overload could result from a sensitivity to a specific input or a sensory processing disorder. Either way, the result of this can manifest in various ways, including a child covering their ears as well as:
- Physical Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness
- Emotional Symptoms: Anxiety, overwhelm and frustration
- Behavioral Symptoms: Irritability, meltdowns, social withdrawal, and tantrums.
How to Help Autistic Children Cope with Sensory Overload
Identify Triggers
If your son or daughter covers their ears regularly and flaps their hands, observe when these behaviors happen. Is it when they’re outside? Does it happen when they’re in the bathroom or at a restaurant? For example, if it occurs every time your child joins the family at a professional sporting event, the trigger could be the crowd and overall noise of the space. It could be the arena’s echo or the venue’s speaker volume. Once you determine the trigger, you can protect your child from it or avoid the space altogether.
ABA Therapy
Once you’ve received an official diagnosis from a health professional, they will probably recommend therapy. Often, ABA therapy, which is considered the pinnacle of autism treatment, will be introduced to help with your child’s sensory sensitivity.
With over 20 core techniques to choose from, a trained ABA therapist has an arsenal of approaches to help your child with their sensory sensitivity, such as:
One significant benefit of ABA therapy is its flexibility. These techniques can be taught to parents, allowing them to continue the treatment at home and ensuring consistency and reinforcement in their child’s natural environment. Additionally, ABA therapy can be delivered in various settings, such as the classroom, to help your child navigate sensory sensitivities and social challenges in real-world situations.
In addition to helping with sensory sensitivities, ABA therapy can be customized to address other challenges your child might be experiencing, such as developing social skills, reducing harmful behaviors, and curbing aggressive tendencies.
Speech Therapy
Another type of therapy to support your child could be speech therapy. A speech therapist can help a child who covers their ears by addressing the underlying issues related to auditory processing, sensory sensitivities, or communication difficulties. Speech therapy might also allow you to improve your communication with your autistic child and, in turn, your relationship with your autistic child.
Other Coping Mechanisms Include
- Reduce the noise level: Using sound-absorbing materials like curtains, foam tiles, headphones, or rugs, you can reduce the amount of echoes and reverberations in the room.
- Create a calm space: Designate an area of your home where your child can seek peace if overwhelmed. The safe space should be free of hazards.
- Provide Sensory Tools: Sensory tools and activities, including weighted blankets or fidget spinners, can provide an excellent outlet for sensory-seeking behaviors and, in turn, regulate their nervous system.
Heartlinks: Your Link to ABA Therapy
If you’re concerned about your child’s tendency of covering their ears, Heartlinks ABA recommends starting with a consultation with a healthcare provider or specialist. Early intervention is key, and learning to accept and understand your child’s diagnosis is an important step in this journey. When parents take the time to embrace what the diagnosis means for their family fully, they open the door to earlier therapeutic support; this can significantly increase the chances of managing your child’s symptoms effectively, rather than watching them potentially get worse as they age.
We offer a wide range of ABA therapy services at Heartlinks, all designed to support families and children through this process. From addressing sensory sensitivities to improving social skills and communication, our customizable programs ensure your autistic child will receive the outstanding care they deserve and need to thrive. By acting early, you’re giving your child the best possible chance for a brighter future.contact us today.