Fight or flight!

Fight or flight reaction - we all experience this. 

However sometimes it can be a little more pronounced or triggered if you have sensory issues.

Sophia used to take off and run at unexpected loud noises. A plane going overhead, a car back firing, a siren, noises we had no control over.

This flight response is potentially dangerous no matter what environment you're in. Even at home when the door bell used to ring she would run in such a blind panic she'd just run into the wall or side of a table. 

She has improved over the years with most noises (the fire alarm being the exception), but she can still be very jumpy when the microwave dings or the dishwasher ramps up noise wise.

Noise cancelling earphones are an amazing invention, or even just having headphones on listening to music when you're out and about can make such a massive difference to someone's headspace, and increase their ability to remain safe and in control over their environment.

You may know of an employee or a child in your class who struggles with auditory sensitivity, and allowing them a coping mechanism of earphones can make all the difference in their productivity and mental health. Just simple touches of understanding here and there and you're already helping to make the world a less scary place for those with neuro diversity.

Another area which can trigger the flight or fight response is pain. You may find neuro divergents have either a high tolerance to pain or an exceptionally low reception to pain, both of which requires an extra level of acceptance. 

Sophia and Leighton have a low tolerance to pain and the flight instinct kicks in. They become non verbal and shut down which is really not the best response in an emergency situation when they need to explain what's going on. They cannot describe pain at all, and it makes the situation so much harder for everyone involved. 

There needs to be more awareness and acceptance that this scenerio can occur. Leighton has walked away without treatment dozens of times because of the poor response he has received from medical professionals in an emergency environment. 

The triggers become too overwhelming and the body and senses begin to shut down due to terror and catastrophic thinking. It's not a question of blame on either side, it's miscommunication and misunderstanding on what's taking place. 

On the flip side Leighton and Sophia are the best first responders in a scene of any medical mishap. The rational, logical side kicks in and you seriously could not ask for better care, when you're the one freaking out about what's happened. They remain calm, authoritative, in control, they don't respond to your panic and talk you down, whilst dealing with the medical need at hand. Even at the age of six Sophia responds like this innately.  

Kira responds to pain and sickness similar to a Guinea pig, she masks pain and sickness until she has no control over her symptoms and response. 

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