Additional needs child..

Dee I suppose the ideal solution would be for the council to find more suitable accommodation for the family which would take the pressure off them re the noise and would not disturb neighbours too much. An upstairs flat is not the best accommodation for a family with children anyway. But it’s not an ideal World unfortunately.

It's a shame that the family live in a flat - with no outdoor space - and probably well aware of the nuisance to neighbours. There's still the possibility that they will move away, though.

We have a three year old child with autism four houses away. He regularly kicks off around 3 to 3.30 pm - so I tend to come indoors from the garden (can't hear him indoors). It really upsets me listening to the awful screaming.

Gwyneth

I feel for both parties here. Very difficult for the family to prevent an autistic child making a noise but also for the person having to try and work, sleep and relax with constant noise. It would certainly have a huge effect on my mental health. Are the family aware of how much noise you can hear?

The family are aware of the noise, my friend approached them before she was aware of their circumstances.
It's causing her real distress and she doesn't want to add to the pressures the family has, she is a kind and reasonable person.
From what she was told, the little one has another condition alongside the diagnosis of Autism which creates the extreme situations.
It is having a dreadful effect on her own mental health too...the situation is a little better during the day now as the child goes to daycare / a support centre so there is an element of respite during the week.
She's looking at options to move as it does appear to be the best thing for her to do.

If you’ve met one autistic child, you’ve met one autistic child.
Every single one is different.
I understand what EllenVannin is saying because a child in our wider family had to be medicated for his mother and sisters safety. It was very sad to see when he was on the medication.

I feel for both parties here. Very difficult for the family to prevent an autistic child making a noise but also for the person having to try and work, sleep and relax with constant noise. It would certainly have a huge effect on my mental health. Are the family aware of how much noise you can hear?

EllanVannin

Bibbity, my GGD had to be medicated because during a meltdown she was smashing up the home and anything in her path. She couldn't go to any school because of this and has been at a residential home for nearly 2 years.

Do you know one child with Autism who responded well.
You know nothing of this other child. There is no blanket medication for Autism. Many children do not require any medication. Even those who are medicated will not be "cured"

The child could be stimulating or have triggers. But you can not speak on their diagnosis.

I give up !

Bibbity

EllanVannin

If the child was properly medicated this wouldn't/ shouldn't happen.

Absolute rubbish. Autism is not something that can be medicated away.

Completely agree. It's absolutely horrendous to suggest that every child with autism simply needs medication! That's a very backward attitude.

However, now, at turned 13, she is off her medication but has a long way to go because she can't tolerate noise, even her siblings or crowds.

Frustration builds up and the only way of letting off steam is to shout/ scream and generally cause ructions. Her medication was for her extreme behaviour . I believe it was an anti-psychotic medication.

Bibbity, my GGD had to be medicated because during a meltdown she was smashing up the home and anything in her path. She couldn't go to any school because of this and has been at a residential home for nearly 2 years.

EllanVannin

If the child was properly medicated this wouldn't/ shouldn't happen.

Absolute rubbish. Autism is not something that can be medicated away.

If the child was properly medicated this wouldn't/ shouldn't happen.

Hetty that makes sense. Think in Germany exactly the same thing happens, anything higher than ground floor must have carpet fitted.

It’s one thing to say ‘Oh, she’ll have to move’ but another property might have other issues.

A huge shame, as she was happy there before all this.

Pammie1, I'm sure 'issues' are only revealed where there is evidence in writing - or police involvement.

silverlining48, my daughter lived in a new-build flat, where carpeting was compulsory (except in kitchens and bathrooms) everywhere except on the ground floor. Conversions, of course, are far noisier.

Oopsadaisy1

Yes, the noise issue would have to be revealed to the new buyers.

I thought issues like this only had to be revealed to prospective buyers when the relevant authorities had been brought in to resolve.

In the end I think her only option will be to move on.

Carpets will muffle the noise but so many people want hard floors which exacerbate the problem,
I used to visit a friend with a family in the flat upstairs and the noise was horrendous.
Flats were both owner occupied but they would not put carpets in so she had to move.

Unfortunately this is a risk when living in a flat. There is very little that can be done that hasn't already been exhausted.

I would honestly suggest your friend move. This is not a situation that May ever resolve if the family are settled.

Could your friend offer to pay for underlay and carpeting the noisy areas (that's if the tenants and landlord agree)? Hard floors tend to magnify any sound from above.

Ceilings can be soundproofed too, if there's enough height in a converted building, A special insulation and another, lower ceiling is installed.

You don't mention the age of the child or severity of autism. Is there a prospect of school attendance in future?

Can your friend wear the appropriate headphones with mic for her work at least?
Presumably the flat has two bedrooms if there is a family above, and also a sitting room. Has she fully investigated the quietest arrangement of the rooms. I expect she has or you wouldn’t be here. The most efficient arrangement would be to avoid being under the child’s bedroom but I realise that might not work. I really sympathise as a family lived along from us in our last house and although we were all detached, the noise at night was very distressing for everyone. A very sensitive situation indeed.

Yes, the noise issue would have to be revealed to the new buyers.

I had this problem with a flat I own. My tenant complained a lot about the noise from the flat below. But as with your friend, it turned out the child had autism.