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How do I help autistic students with fire drills, assemblies and loud events?

Prepare ahead, reduce the sensory load, and plan for recovery, with a social narrative template.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 27, 2026 · 1 min read
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The short answer

Loud, unexpected events can be overwhelming. Prepare ahead with a social narrative and a practice walk-through, give advance notice when you can, and offer noise-reducing headphones. For assemblies, plan seating near an exit, a shorter attendance option, or a quiet alternative. Afterward, allow recovery time before returning to demanding work.

Key takeaways
  • Prepare ahead with a social narrative and practice.
  • Give advance notice when policy allows.
  • Offer headphones, exit-side seating and quiet options.
  • Plan recovery time afterward.

Why are loud events so hard?

Sudden noise, crowds and changes to routine are common triggers for sensory overload, and sensory differences are part of autism.2

How do I prepare for a fire drill?

  1. Write a short social narrative about what happens and why.1 See How do I write a social story?
  2. Walk the route when it's quiet.
  3. Practise with headphones.
  4. Name an adult who will stay with the student.
  5. Share drill dates with that adult, if school policy allows.

How do I make assemblies easier?

Try
  • Seating near an exit
  • Headphones or ear defenders
  • Arriving early or leaving before the crowd
  • A quiet alternative for very loud events
Skip
  • Surprise announcements
  • Seating in the middle of the crowd
  • Insisting on full attendance

What happens after?

Allow a few minutes of calm, like a quiet activity or the calm corner, before demanding work.

Free printable: social narrative templatePDF · 1 page · a simple story to prepare for a new or hard situation
Download Free printable: social narrative template

What can I do this week?

0 of 3 done

Common questions

Check your school's policy. Many schools share drill dates with key staff so they can prepare students who need it, while keeping safety procedures intact.

Sources

  1. Carol Gray Social Stories. carolgraysocialstories.com
  2. American Psychiatric Association: What is autism spectrum disorder? (sensory differences). psychiatry.org

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Rules and services differ by country, region and school, so always check your local guidance and your organisation's policies. How we write our guides.

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