As more than a trillion cicadas emerge from underground this month, experts are warning that the overwhelming noise could pose challenges for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or individuals who are sensitive to sound. This extraordinary cicada emergence, which includes both 13-year and 17-year broods, is a rare event that hasn’t been seen in more than 200 years. The cicadas are already appearing in several regions, including Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, and Tennessee, and their presence will continue into June.
The sheer number of cicadas is staggering, with experts estimating that over a trillion cicadas will emerge from the earth. Male cicadas begin to sing a loud mating call to attract females, producing a continuous and high-pitched buzzing sound. While this is a natural and expected behavior for cicadas, the volume and intensity of the noise can be startling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that during the 2021 emergence, cicada noise levels reached as high as 90 to 100 decibels. In some areas, the noise was so loud that residents were concerned, with one South Carolina county receiving calls to the sheriff’s office asking about the sound, as it resembled a siren or a loud roar, according to the Associated Press.
Although the cicada noise is not harmful enough to cause hearing loss, as stated by the CDC, experts caution that it can be extremely disruptive, particularly for those with sensory sensitivities. In the U.S., nearly 5.5 million people are living with autism spectrum disorder, many of whom may find the cicada sounds overwhelming.
People on the autism spectrum are known to have heightened sensitivities to certain sensory experiences, such as loud or unexpected sounds. According to Dr. Rachel Follmer, an assistant professor of developmental behavioral pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, individuals on the spectrum can often feel anxious or distressed by sudden noises, such as sirens, blenders, or loud crowds. “With the expected emergence and volume of cicadas that are expected to emerge, there’s a potential for it to be quite loud when you go outside, which would be kind of an unexpected change,” Dr. Follmer explains. “Both the volume of the noise and the fact that that’s not their normal experience could potentially be a big trigger for those individuals who are on the spectrum or even just individuals who are not on the spectrum but have sound sensitivities.”
Dr. Follmer, who also works as a physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, provides advice for parents who may be concerned about their children’s reaction to the cicadas. One recommendation is to familiarize children with the sounds before the emergence by watching YouTube videos or listening to audio clips of cicada calls. Parents should also prepare a plan for what to do if the sounds become too overwhelming, such as keeping headphones or earplugs available. To help children better understand the cicadas, showing them photos of the insects and explaining the natural process of their emergence can help reduce fear.
Another strategy suggested by Dr. Follmer is the use of social stories—narratives designed to guide children through a situation and outline what they can expect. “It kind of walks through all of the different steps and even talks about things that are going to be aversive,” she says. “With the cicadas, you would be like ‘when we go outside, it’s going to be a lot noisier than normal, that might hurt your ears, you might feel nervous or scared.’ And then walk through like, what can that child do?” Social stories can provide children with the information they need to understand and cope with the cicada emergence.
Dr. Follmer emphasizes that the more information children receive about what to expect, the more prepared they will be to manage the situation. “For most children, the more information they have, the more they know about something, the more they are able to kind of understand and cope with those situations,” she explains.
The cicada emergence will not only affect people with autism but may also be overwhelming for anyone who has sound sensitivities. As Dr. Follmer notes, “We all can have sensory experiences that we don’t tolerate as well. I think the difference is, for many individuals on the spectrum, is it’s more intense in how that impacts their lives.”
For individuals with sensory sensitivities, including those on the autism spectrum, it is important to acknowledge and prepare for this unique environmental shift. The large-scale emergence of cicadas this spring serves as a reminder of how sensory experiences—both expected and unexpected—can significantly impact daily life. With the right preparation and awareness, families can reduce the overwhelming effects of this sensory challenge and help children better navigate this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
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