Australian School Bans Clapping

[Balrog]

BBC

Just...seriously, what the fuck? I've tried to read their explanation several times and it still makes no sense. Like, if these people are seriously so sensitive to loud noises that loud cheering had to be banned, how are they functional? Would they not wear some sort of hearing protection to protect themselves? Is the entire school sound-proofed? Or is this just another example of society at large bending over backwards for every special snowflake?

[Gandalf]

Some autistic students can have trouble with noise in confined spaces. So a few hundred students crammed into a school hall clapping might be causing strife for those sensitive to noise. With schools now working hard to make sure they're accommodating autistic students, this seems like something they might do.

[Balrog]

Some autistic students can have trouble with noise in confined spaces. So a few hundred students crammed into a school hall clapping might be causing strife for those sensitive to noise. With schools now working hard to make sure they're accommodating autistic students, this seems like something they might do.

Then the student is excused from attending assemblies taking place in confined spaces, same as they might be excused from taking gym or any other activity which would pose a physical or mental problem for them. Problem solved, at least in a less inane way then completely banning otherwise normal means of self-expression.

[Gandalf]

Or on the other hand, now more students can participate in the school ritual of weekly assembly, and everyone gets a lesson in inclusiveness.

That said, I don't see why people are so attached to banging their hands together in these news articles about this incident.

[U.P. Cinnabar]

Does Australia have a reasonable accomodation clause in its disability laws? Because that wouldn't even come close to reasonable under the Americans With Disabilities Act(ADA).

[Balrog]

Or on the other hand, now more students can participate in the school ritual of weekly assembly, and everyone gets a lesson in inclusiveness.

But what about the blind students? How will they know (for example) that their fellow students are cheering them on for an achievement they have earned and are being recognized for at the assembly if they can't hear their joyful voices, now forever silenced.
[/slight sarcasm]

There are better ways to teach children inclusiveness than this, which just reeks of bubble-wrapping helicopter parenting.

[Simon_Jester]

Better idea:

Teach the children how to do restrained applause.

Both sides win. The noise-sensitive children won't be hearing massive noise, and the rest of the children get a valuable lesson in public decorum and the importance of showing courtesy to others.

[Balrog]

Better idea:

Teach the children how to do restrained applause.

Both sides win. The noise-sensitive children won't be hearing massive noise, and the rest of the children get a valuable lesson in public decorum and the importance of showing courtesy to others.

You mean a compromise? For a delicate subject such as this? Unthinkable.

[Joun_Lord]

Like Gandalf said, autistic people have trouble with loud noises. I'm said to be on the autistic spectrum (which I think is highly debatable, I suck at math clearly I can't be autistic) I can remember just how painful assemblies were. I mean like feeling physical pain and had to be digging my nails into my palms to keep from running away like a madman, usually vomiting afterwards. Sometimes I was just jamming my fingers so far in my ears it was like I was trying to poke my brain, got shit about that a couple times by teachers who thought I didn't want to listen to whatever bullshit the speaker was saying. I absolutely dreaded assemblies.

But I don't think punishing others for my fuck ups seems right. Some sort of compromise would be best. Simon_Jester's idea of subdued applause sounds good. I didn't have as many problems during assemblies and shit where the clapping wasn't sound damn loud. Of course if I'm even autistic I'm probably fairly on the low end, most loud noises don't bother me, thunder actually puts me to sleep and never had a problem with gun fire. Only the loudest constant noises usually combined with other "triggers" does it for me. Someone who is more sensitive to noise might have problems even with restrained applause.

Maybe ear plugs for noise sensitive students? I'm sure there are electronic plugs that exist to cancel out loud noises while still allowing someone to hear. Maybe be a good compromise allowing students to still go to assemblies and hear without having a massive fucking panic attack when people start applauding.

[Zixinus]

Or just use the common sense solution and have the autistic kids in the back of the room where there is less noise and have the option to go out if the noise is too much for them. Maybe just have them in the doorway and if the kid had to go out, have a teacher (or just anyone who paid attention) summaries the point of the assembly. Most school assemblies are often a waste of time for most of the students involved anyway.

[Zwinmar]

Meh, never understood clapping anyways though this sounds very ham fisted.

[Gandalf]

But I don't think punishing others for my fuck ups seems right. Some sort of compromise would be best. Simon_Jester's idea of subdued applause sounds good. I didn't have as many problems during assemblies and shit where the clapping wasn't sound damn loud. Of course if I'm even autistic I'm probably fairly on the low end, most loud noises don't bother me, thunder actually puts me to sleep and never had a problem with gun fire. Only the loudest constant noises usually combined with other "triggers" does it for me. Someone who is more sensitive to noise might have problems even with restrained applause.

Why is the switch from loud to silent applause considered punitive?