“My favorite color firework is yellow… and pink,” said 24-year-old Hemanth Sangireddi, smiling in a bright blue-colored room.
Sangireddi used to run away from the loud noise of fireworks on the Fourth of July when he was in elementary school. This year, he looks forward to them.
“He’s outgrown that fear,” said his mother, Kusuma. “He used to run away from that place, but now he pretty much sits with us and watches fireworks.”
Hemanth is a member of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s CORE Foundations Day Services. He has communication troubles and is one of many people across the country who have sensory sensitivity.
“Sensitivity really can impact anybody,” said Dr. Emma Cole, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute. “I think sensory sensitivity, like autism, is a spectrum.”
It can be hard to keep those who may be sensitive to fireworks calm on the Fourth of July. For parents with sensitive children, Dr. Cole recommends sitting somewhere away from the crowd and loud noise. A stuffed animal or comfort toy could also help.
“Federal Hill has that huge hill up there, and it’s further away from the Inner Harbor,” said Dr. Cole, who plans to watch the fireworks near Patterson Park. “[The park is also] a good location for some of the children I work with to, sort of, see the fireworks.”
She also recommends that parents have a plan before they go out to make sure their child is comfortable. Families should make sure they have headphones, sunglasses, or a place to take a break from the action, according to Dr. Cole.
The loud noise of fireworks is only one potential sensitive area for children, she said. The bright light, the burning smell and the crowds of people could also be sensory sensitivities. If the child cannot handle fireworks altogether, drone shows with music, confetti poppers or light-up toys could be an alternative.
“This isn’t something that happens every day,” Dr. Cole said. “A lot of our children with different needs and diagnoses, they need to be prepared when something different happens.”
A 2017 study estimated that between 5–16.5% of children have symptoms associated with sensory processing challenges. Veterans, service animals, and adults could also show signs of sensory overload.
Hemanth watches YouTube one or two days before July 4 and sends the videos to his family and other Kennedy Krieger Day Service friends.
Despite getting past the loud noise of fireworks, Hemanth still gets scared by an unexpected loud noise during a movie or when a balloon pops.
“I’m scared,” said Hermanth. “It’s a loud noise [when a balloon pops].”
He went from a ten out of ten, meaning scared at any loud noise, to a two out of ten, according to his mother. She credits his younger sister’s presence and increasing familiarity with certain loud noises for the growth.
“If you see a child that’s having a difficult time, maybe starting to seem a little bit anxious, maybe getting a little bit nervous, we want to take a step back and let that parent, who knows her child best, sort of help, sort of make their child feel comfortable,” Dr. Cole said.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute provides resources for anyone with sensory overload or sensitivity. Learn more about their services on their website.
I’m impressed with Eddy’s article – he captured well. Also proud of Hemanth, even though with his disability and limited communications advocating himself with all of our support.
-Kusuma
Hemanth’s mom
I read Eddy’s other articles too – good. 👍