The emergence of cicada can affect people on the autism spectrum

AAs more than a billion cicadas emerge from underground this month, experts warn that people on the autism spectrum or who are sensitive to sound may find the insects’ noise overwhelming.

The large co-emergence of cicadas from 13- and 17-year-old broods this spring is the first of its kind in more than 200 years. The emergence already it started in some regions, and cicadas will be visible in several states, including Illinois, Iowa, Georgia and Tennessee. It is expected that the emergence last until June.

See more information: An animated guide to the rare 2024 cicada co-emergence

Once they emerge, male cicadas sing a mating call to attract female cicadas. Due to the large presence of insects, the continuous and high-pitched buzzing noise can be loud; O Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there have been reports of noise levels reaching 90 to 100 decibels in 2021. In April, cicadas were so loud in one South Carolina county that residents called the sheriff’s office to ask why they were hearing them. sirens or a loud roar, Associated Press reported.

Cicada noise does not cause hearing loss, according to the CDC. But researchers warn that the sound could be very heavy for the nearly 5.5 million people in the U.S. who have autism spectrum disorder and are sensitive to sound.

“Some children on the spectrum may struggle with loud or unexpected noises, such as self-flushing toilets, fireworks around the Fourth of July, or the emergence of large numbers of cicadas,” Dr. Rachel Follmer, assistant professor of behavioral pediatrics of development at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a Press release. “Sometimes when they are prepared for something to be loud, they can tolerate the sound better. It’s not just that the sound is loud, but it happens unexpectedly.”

Follmer, who is also a physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, offered several steps parents can take to prepare their children, who may be more sensitive to cicada noises. These steps might include watching YouTube videos or listening to audio clips with children to familiarize them with sounds and developing a plan for what to do if the sound is excessive, such as having headphones or earplugs available. Parents can also show their children pictures of cicadas to explain what they are and why they are emerging.

Follmer suggested using social stories—which are narratives that guide children through a situation—to help children prepare.

“Because some children on the spectrum have communication difficulties, they may not be able to explain how they are feeling, so it is helpful to provide them with tools upfront that can help them communicate,” Follmer said in the press release.

Follmer added that, in general, children, whether they are on the spectrum or not, can be sensitive to sound and therefore encouraged all parents to prepare their children for the noise associated with the appearance of the cicada.