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From the headline, you may think that I’m anti-Fourth of July, but nothing could be further from the truth. I’m all about celebrating the birth of our nation and letting freedom ring. When the sun is up, it’s a great day, but when it goes down? Not so much.
You see, I’m autistic and like many others on the spectrum, the fireworks and large crowds are anything but a picnic.
Many of you neurotypicals (those not on the spectrum) might see us as anti-social, but the truth is that interaction with people can freak us out. And crowds are a panic attack waiting to happen.
With a crowd it’s not just the number of people, it’s the random noise and the random movements of a crowd that gets to us. In my case, my brain tries to process everything at once, even though I don’t want it to. It’s just how it is and frankly, it sucks.
After you’ve started dealing with the crowd, then you have to deal with the reason for the crowd, your local fireworks show. I mean everybody loves a good fireworks show, right?
Wrong.
The loud noises overstimulate our senses and the explosion of colors that fall through the sky add to that overstimulation. For some who suffer from seizures, the visual of the fireworks can be enough to trigger a seizure.
Years ago, when I was in a relationship, I sucked it up and went to some fireworks shows, but I paid the price in a big way. I tried my hardest to hold in a major panic attack for as long as I could and the result of that was such a strain on my body, both mentally and physically, that I slept for almost twenty-four hours after getting home from the show.
Being on the spectrum on the fourth of July doesn’t have to be a bummer. We’re all over the place in terms of what we can and can’t handle. If you have a way of coping with the crowds that work for you or if crowds don’t bother you, but the noise does, headphones are an awesome option. Throwing on some headphones and listening to your favorite playlist is a great way to get over the noise overwhelming you.
There’s not much anyone can do about actually watching the display. Either you can deal with it or you can’t.
What about you? Are you on the spectrum and have you found a way to cope with this holiday? Instead of fireworks. Do you have a routine you follow on the Fourth? Either way, share your ideas with us and start a conversation.
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J.R. Reed is a published author, adult autism advocate, blogger, speaker, nerd, owner of an award-winning purple goatee, and proud Aspie.
Diagnosed at age forty-six, he grew up most of his life, “Off the Spectrum.” as he talks about in his blog, Not Weird, Just Autistic. He's also a proud contributor to The Mighty.
J.R. Writes the columns Not Weird Just Autistic and Life With a Side of Disability for Good Men Project and does a weekly Not Weird Just Autistic podcast with co-host Shannon Hugghes.
The author of An Asperger’s Guide To Dating Neurotypicals, J.R. works with those high school age through adult to help them live better lives as well as educates NT’s on who we really are. He’s currently working on two books, Not Weird Just Autistic, along with the novel Diary of a Modern Dad, which features a main character with Asperger's Syndrome.
Connect with him: On Twitter @nwjautistic, on Facebook, Linkedin, on Instagram, and via his Website,www.NotWeirdJustAutistic.com
You see, I’m autistic and like many others on the spectrum, the fireworks and large crowds are anything but a picnic.
