We are committed to increasing the understanding and acceptance of children and adults with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

Children and adults on the autistic spectrum and with other special needs may have unexpected reactions to a smoke alarm or a fire.
The following information, collated from a variety of sources including the National Autistic Society, aims to help you support autistic children and adults.

• Autism spectrum conditions are lifelong developmental differences that affect how people communicate and interact with the world.
• Each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges.
• Some people with autism may require significant support in their daily lives, while others live entirely independently.

Home safety visits and other interactions

Communication is key to so much of the work of the fire and rescue service. These tips may help you to interact with an autistic person, whether it’s a child, adult, colleague or friend.

• Always use their name (if you know it) when you start to address them so that they know you are talking to them
• Provide one instruction at a time, so that the person is not overwhelmed with information
• Don’t use too many questions, and keep them short
• Say less and say it slowly
• Use visual supports such as photographs to support understanding, even if the child or adult communicates verbally. Many autistic people prefer visual information. This may include maps, diagrams, flowcharts and lists.
• Be aware of anything that might happen occasionally whilst you are with them, such as fast movements or announcements over loudspeakers
• Be aware of the environment (noisy/crowded/flashing lights) that you are in
• Avoid using irony, sarcasm, rhetorical questions, ‘sayings’ or exaggeration

Some autistic children may have delayed language, and some autistic adults may not use speech. In these cases, alternative ways of communicating will be needed.
A parent, carer or advocate can help identify the most effective communication method.

Autistic children and adults may use some of the following to communicate with you: 

• Gestures
• Using pictures
• Looking at the object they want, or moving away from the object they fear

Autistic children and adults may feel anxious in unfamiliar situations or when meeting someone new. Where possible, prepare the family in advance by sharing information about yourself, including a photo. If this isn’t possible, allow extra time and let the autistic person lead the interaction in a way that suits them.

In case of fire

Autistic adults and children may hide during a fire to escape noise or confusion, so check wardrobes, under beds and behind furniture. They may resist moving, so reassure them and calmly repeat instructions. Where possible, explain the escape plan in advance using simple, step‑by‑step instructions, and agree who will help them reach a place of safety.

If you think someone may be autistic, make others aware so their needs can be considered. After rescue, they may wander or run off, especially due to alarm noise, and may not recognise other dangers. Stay with them at all times or hand over to a carer or trusted person, and ensure they are closely supervised.

Sensory Sensitivities

• Children and adults with autism and anxiety may become frightened in response to sensory stimuli
• This may manifest itself in different ways such as repetitive behaviour such as rocking; or repeating words
• They may feel overwhelmed due to sensory overload

• Autistic adults and children may not have a typical range of sensations and may not feel the cold, heat, or pain in a typical manner
• They may show an unusual pain response that could include laughter, humming, singing and removing of clothing
• They may fail to acknowledge pain

Autistic children and adults may become frightened by sensory stimuli such as noise or confusion. Some people may struggle to explain what is causing their fear and instead avoid situations altogether. For example, they may refuse to return to a place after experiencing the noise and disruption of a smoke alarm or fire drill.

As a result people with sensory sensitivity:

• May not like the feel of certain materials (example: a blanket)
• May be sensitive to smells
• May seek out fire
• May have strong reactions to sirens/flashing lights
• May not feel pain
• May not allow you to touch them 

Meltdowns and shutdowns 

Exposure to sensory stimuli may make someone feel completely overwhelmed, and the understandable result can be a meltdown.
Meltdown symptoms can include shouting, screaming, crying, and lashing out.

Shutdowns are also caused by sensory overload and anxiety and during these times the person becomes still, and unable to communicate or move (‘freeze’ situation).

The strategies below can help if someone is having a meltdown or a shutdown:

• Provide reassurance about the situation 

• Always ask the parent, carer or advocate how you can help, as they know what works best.
• Strategies may vary depending on how the person is feeling at that time.
• Where possible, create a quiet, safe space by reducing noise, crowds, bright lights and sirens to help limit sensory overload.

Some autistic people may show signs of distress before a meltdown, often called the ‘rumble stage’. At this point, it may be possible to prevent escalation by using calming strategies such as removing triggers or offering headphones.

Explore ‘graded exposure’

You may be able to discuss preparing people for when they may hear a smoke alarm and help them to learn a safe response.

• You could suggest that a parent or carer records the sound of the smoke alarm and plays it back quietly. It’s important not to cause distress or force desensitisation. If the person is comfortable, the volume can be increased gradually over time.
• Practising the escape route by walking it together can also help, later combining this with low‑level alarm noise.
• Some people find ear defenders useful, as they can control when to reduce the sound.
• Others cope better if there is a spoken warning or gentle sound before the alarm, giving them time to prepare.

This graded exposure may seem counterintuitive, but research indicates that this can be effective for getting over a particular fear, and learning safe behaviour.

Further information for Autistic adults and children

•  National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk 

•  Ambitious about Autism www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do 

•  National Health Service www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/support/