// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
'My six-year-old cries herself to sleep': How fireworks affect people with autism
Laura Miller's daughter Grace is badly affected by fireworks
Although she is only six, Grace Miller already knows what to do when fireworks season arrives every year.
She will head to her bedroom, pull the door closed and the blinds down, and try to hide from the barrage of noise happening outside.
However no matter how much effort Grace puts in, she is often left crying and deeply distressed by the constant explosions during October and November.
Grace, of Kirkintilloch, has autism and is among those - adults and children - whose sensory issues are affected during the period around Bonfire Night.
Grace's mum Laura has set up a petition on Change.org calling on East Dunbartonshire Council to introduce firework control zones in the area, similar to the approach already taken in some parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
She feels while it is known that animals can be easily distressed by the amount of noise created by fireworks, the effect it can have on people with conditions like autism are less publicised.
For Grace, diagnosed with autism two years ago, the impact every autumn is considerable.
"She's funny, outgoing, just a beautiful wee girl – but when something like this happens she goes in on herself and hunkers down," Laura told BBC Scotland News.
"You feel absolutely powerless when it all kicks off every night. Your children look to you for protection and for you to come up with a solution, but in this case you can't.