Supporting neurodivergent children on Bonfire Night

23 October 2024

For people who experience sensory differences, Bonfire Night can bring some unique challenges. In this article, our West Suffolk Neurodevelopmental Support Service shares some tips to help you support your child on Bonfire night – whether they’re neurodivergent or neurotypical.

Help your child understand what to expect on Bonfire Night

As is the case for many new or unfamiliar situations, it’s important to plan ahead and prepare your child for what might happen on Bonfire Night. There will be lots of bright, colourful lights and loud bangs, plus the added challenge of the unpredictable nature of fireworks.

Here are some ways you can help your child understand fireworks and Bonfire Night:

Social stories

A good way to explain to your child what will happen is to create a social story. Social stories are a short outline of a certain activity or situation that can help children better understand what will happen.

You can make your own stories, and Carol Gray (the person behind social stories) shares some guidance on writing social stories about fireworks [PDF]. In your social story you might explain:

  • what Bonfire Night is
  • what happens when you go to a firework display
  • how fireworks work
  • what your child can do if they have any anxious thoughts.

If you’d prefer a ready-made example, here’s a fireworks story and plan by Carol Gray [PDF].

Sometimes a child prefers to avoid fireworks due to anxious feelings or fear, so making sure they understand how to be safe is even more important.

Pictures and videos

Sometimes a child prefers to avoid fireworks due to anxious feelings or fear, so making sure they understand how to be safe is even more important. Pictures and videos can help you explain firework and bonfire safety. If you need more guidance before you explain to your child, see this information on firework safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

If you decide to get some sparklers for Bonfire Night, it’s best to prepare your child for how they look and sound. Although they aren’t as noisy as fireworks, your child will be that much closer to a sparkler than they would be to a firework. Explain how to hold a sparkler safely and show your child a video so they know what to expect.

(Please note the following videos are hosted on YouTube, which we are not affiliated with. We do not have control over the videos you may be automatically recommended after watching.)

Showing your child videos of fireworks can also help them understand what to expect, such as this example:

You can also find videos in which the fireworks are slowed down and the bangs are replaced with soothing music. See this example:

If your child prefers to avoid going to an event, they may wish to watch videos of fireworks instead.

Going out to a firework display

If your family is heading out to watch a firework display, you might want to consider taking the following, depending on your child’s preferences:

  • Ear defenders and/or sunglasses.
  • Clothing with a hood.
  • Fidget toys or chew toys to help with self-regulation.
  • Plenty of snacks and drinks.
  • An item that brings your child comfort.

Reassure your child that you are with them and that you’ll have a good time together, then go home. Have an agreed signal that your child can give if they’ve had enough and would like to go somewhere quieter.

You might also offer the alternative of watching the fireworks from a distance and away from crowds. Sitting together in the car with hot chocolate can also be a fun way to watch fireworks – and much warmer!

Staying at home

Staying at home can provide a familiar, comfortable setting for something new, with a ‘safe space’ to retreat to if needed. Depending on where you live, you might be able to watch some fireworks together from different windows in your house. This might be a good alternative to going out to a display.

You could also have some sparklers in your garden or outdoor space if it’s something your child or young person would like to do. If you decide to have your own fireworks at home, you might choose less noisy fireworks such as ‘Catherine wheels’ and ‘traffic lights’. These can be more colourful and calming to watch and are widely available – to find some, try searching for silent or low noise fireworks.

If it’s all too much, there’s still the option of closing the blinds or curtains and snuggling up together on the sofa. One option might be ear defenders and a book, or alternatively your child could listen to favourite music, play a game or watch a film using headphones.

Those are our tips for supporting your child on Bonfire Night. Is there anything you’d add to this? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram.

This article was written in collaboration with West Suffolk Neurodevelopmental Support Service. Use our online service finder for SEND and neurodiversity services in your area, or find your local IASS here.

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