Imagine a child trapped in a battlefield with a bomb exploding every few seconds and no escape, no hiding place, no escape.
That winding environment is what many children suffering from autism look like. I’m worried about before holidays, holidays, and the next day.
In most cases, people without autism will have fun and even look for the sound of fireworks being launched into the air.
For people with autism, it is traumatic and can cause anxiety and unfavorable behavior long after the constant noise has subsided.
As Independence Day celebrations take place throughout the region, residents are being asked to treat excessive noise differently and to pay attention to those who comply with each time the city or town allows fireworks.
With these children in mind, Lisa Virella, the founder of Mimi’s mission, organized a campaign to put the following signs on her parents: People with autism live here. Please be careful with fireworks. “
This is the first time she has provided autographs to her parents and they are distributed free of charge.
In addition to the signs, Vilella has made special headphones available to help children counteract the noise.
“We are not trying to ruin the holidays for anyone,” Vilella said. “I know people don’t stop, but maybe they won’t go until 3am.”
Signs and headphones can be picked up at the Brownstown Township, Allen Park, and Lincoln Park police stations and are available to anyone, regardless of where the individual lives.
She explained that when booms and pops last all day, even after holidays, it sometimes sends children with autism in a downward spiral that can last for hours.
Sticking to the time allowed by the community for fireworks will help reduce anxiety in children, she said.
“What we hear and what they hear are two different things,” said Vilella. “What they hear is 100 times bigger, which shakes them to their heart.”
With the sign, at least some neighbors will find that they need to be considerate of their children and are grateful.
She remembered when a six-year-old kid left home in a hysterical diaper and a neighbor laughed and took a video of the incident and responded.
Vilella said it is important for parents with autistic children to inform their neighbors about their children’s special needs so that they can be recognized and better addressed.
Vilella costs for each set of signature and earphones.
If they help a child spend the day, she believes the cost is not important.
Thomas Renshaw, owner of Side Street Signs in Grosse Ile and Stewart Printing in Wyandotte, not only created the sign, but also hurriedly ordered it to make sure it was ready before the vacation.
Vilella hopes that the signs will bring some awareness to people and stimulate a little more understanding and willingness to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
While thanking Renshaw for making the sign, she couldn’t thank the police officers for agreeing to be a pick-up spot.
The three locations eliminate the need for residents to travel from one end of the down river area to the other to get signs and headphones.
She said they knew it would take a little while out of their day to stop what they were doing and distribute them.
“Our downstream police station is top notch,” she said.
The Allen Park Police Station is located on 15915 Southfield Road.
The Brownstown Police Address is 23125 King Road.
The Lincoln Park police station was located on the Cleofas Parkway in 1427.