When the Fire Drill Isn't Just a Drill — It's a Meltdown

A calm visual of noise-canceling headphones beside a school bell or emergency light (symbolic)

When the Fire Drill Isn't Just a Drill — It's a Meltdown

Fire drills are supposed to be simple safety exercises. But for my son Jordan — who has autism, high anxiety, and is under an IEP with one-on-one ABA support — a surprise drill can be devastating.

Recently, the school had an unannounced fire drill. We were not informed ahead of time, despite Jordan’s IEP clearly outlining how these events can trigger intense anxiety and behavioral responses if not properly prepared for.

No one gave him the usual warning.

No one offered him the chance to wear his noise-canceling headphones.

No one gave him the option to relocate to a quieter, safer room beforehand.

Instead, he was surrounded by loud, sudden alarms, students moving quickly, adults giving rapid commands — a sensory storm of chaos. For a neurotypical child, it may have just been "annoying" or "startling."

But for Jordan, it was traumatic.

He melted down and remained in a heightened state of anxiety for more than 30 minutes. His speech therapy session — something he usually enjoys — had to be canceled. And the emotional fallout carried well into the rest of the day.

As a mom, it’s heartbreaking. And preventable.

IEPs are created to protect children like Jordan. They are built on understanding, communication, and accommodations — and when they’re not followed, everyone struggles. Not just Jordan, but his team, his therapist, and his peers around him.

A simple heads-up from the school, a quick check-in with his support staff, and access to his headphones could have prevented it all.

These aren’t dramatic requests — they’re basic needs for a child with sensory and emotional regulation challenges. When we listen and plan ahead, we make the world a safer place for children like Jordan.

This is why awareness matters. And why true inclusion means thinking ahead, not just reacting after.