Tim's Sensory Overload, Too Much Noise...

In fact, the more I read about Tim's sensory overload and the way he feels about the world outside, I can now finally understand why he was constantly having meltdowns or stimming,

particularly when he found himself, in confined crowded places and noise.

Tim's extreme and unusual behaviour, is clearly seen like a coping mechanism, in order to block out excess sensory input.

Tim went up and immediately came down stairs because there were no empty seats on the top deck of our bus. Downstairs was crowded and upstairs every single seat was taken, except one last seat right at the back and one next to the stairs near the front.
"No seats Mummy," he said.
It was visible to see how Tim's phobia to noise and confined places was beginning to affect him when he found himself in a place he didn't feel comfortable and out of character. Tim's frustration was beginning to show.
I quickly went upstairs and saw a couple of empty seats.
"Easy," I thought, as I told Tim to at least try it.
"Too crowded Mummy."
"Better here, than down stairs," I said.
"Too crowded Mummy."
"Tim, our journey is short."
"Too noisy Mummy. Get me out of here," Tim said, as he began repeatedly rocking himself forwards and backwards on the narrow steps as he grasped his head in desperation.
The bus had just taken off and Tim's cries for help were beginning to affect him in a bad way.
TIM WANTED TO GET OFF THE BUS, BECAUSE IT WAS TOO CROWDED AND NOISY.
"Hang on, I said. We're nearly here."
Didn't make a difference as Tim continued to grasped his head in desperation. He found a small empty place to sit down, as he continued to cry and scream.
"If only I had a magic wand to teleport us back home, it would have saved me so much heart ache with my boy," I thought.
Tim's nightmare was becoming worst. What was supposed to have been a short journey just up the road, it certainly felt the longest one. The more Tim screamed, the more stares he got.
"Can somebody shut this kid up?" I heard it coming from a middle aged man.  I thought it was extremely rude. A lady who was sitting next to me, looked at me with sympathy.
"Poor boy. I suppose he can't help it. Does he want to sit?"
"It's fine. Thank you. We're getting off very soon."
I could see Tim was rocking, backwards and forwards much less, with his head resting on his knees.
Our trip to the shops was planed last minute after school. Tim wanted to go to Argos to buy a mouse for his computer.
Returning home the weather was cold, so we both decided to take the bus instead.
Tim left his noise cancelling earmuffs at school and thought about them, when he saw crowds of people and lots of noise.
"Are you okay without them?"
"Mummy I'm excited."
"I bet you can't wait for your mouse."
"Can't wait."
"Let's go quick and then home."

Tim's sensitive overload to noise has given me an opportunity to reflect about different ways lo lessen his anxieties.
Tim's journey on the bus should had been a much easier ride. In fact when we got home, Tim did mention, it was silly of him, he forgot his noise cancelling earmuffs.
"Tim, it was my fault. I was talking too long with your teacher."
Tim was also frustrated, because he left them at school and felt completely lost without them.
It's been almost a couple of years Tim's been wearing noise cancelling earmuffs. I came across these one's. complete Tim's favorite ones. I recommend this product  noise cancelling earmuffs                His black earmuffs had made a huge difference to Tim's life, specially during his settling down period in secondary school. He's worn them on stage,  playing the piano at school in front of a large crowd of parents. Tim's used them on a daily basis at school and outside. He's even worn them when his gone to the park and home.
A few weeks back I brought this product  wireless noise cancelling headphones because Tim felt he wanted something which wasn't so obvious on his head. He said he wanted noise cancelling head phones, more age appropriate. Tim's turning thirteen soon and he felt these look very cool. He uses these, particularly when he goes out on school trips. It is important to tell your teachers you want to  use these wireless noise cancelling headphones  to block noise as they can be easily mistaken, as headphones only. I like this product and most importantly Tim's is happy with it. In terms of cost, Amazon has a good deal for such an amazing product. I truly recommend it. Five star rating.











WRITTEN BY IRENE KATHERINE/KATHERINE LASTING MEMORIES 2020