Autistic girl, age six, ‘cries herself to sleep’ during fireworks season

People with autism can be more or less sensitive to sensory experiences, with the impact varying from person to person.

In Grace’s case, loud noises can upset her heavily, effectively triggering what is often called a sensory overload – where a person becomes overwhelmed as a result.

Grace now uses ear defenders every night, but they only muffle the sound rather than blocking it out entirely.

In recent years the National Autistic Society have issued guidance aimed at helping people with the condition cope with fireworks season, with suggestions for easing stress and anxiety.

Laura would like to see more local authorities use the powers granted to them via the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill, external in 2022.

Since then, both Edinburgh and Glasgow City Councils have brought in firework control zones for parts of each city, after constant problems with anti-social behaviour around Bonfire Night.

They stop people from setting them off on private property, but organised displays are allowed.

East Dunbartonshire has not had problems to that degree, but it is the sheer number of fireworks, being set off day in and day out, that Laura struggles with the most.

“I don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun but this is a real struggle,” argues Laura, who is also mum to 10-year-old Aidan and is married to husband Scott.

“It is not just 5 November and at the New Year, it is here, there and everywhere from October onwards. If it was a couple of days and that was it, it would be a lot easier to cope with.”