Any group gathering of this size will be difficult for most autistic people. Although we have done our best to cater to Autistic Needs, it is impossible to make it perfect for every (or any) participant. There remain some things many people may find challenging, but if you are prepared, there are things you can do to make it easier for yourself and help ensure it all goes well for everyone.
Catering for Autistic Needs Foremost
We have taken autistic needs into consideration in the design and running of Autscape. Of course there's no way we could anticipate, let alone accommodate, every need of every autistic person. Some autistics' needs aren't even compatible! We know there will still be challenges for most participants, but we've done our best to be a more autistic friendly environment than you would expect to find at a typical conference.
We are doing our best within the constraints of our knowledge, energy and resources. It is important to remember that nearly everyone at Autscape, including presenters and organisers, is also autistic. They may be struggling to cope just as much as you.
Social Interaction
A lot of people are, understandably, quite concerned about the heavy social demands of being in a large group for several days. There is no requirement to socialise at all, and there will be no implicit or explicit disapproval of those who choose not to interact with others. There is coloured badge system for indicating whether you would like to socialise or not.
| Red | Please do not approach me. I do not wish to socialise with anyone. |
| Yellow | Please do not approach unless I already know you. |
| Green | I would like to socialise, but I have difficulty initiating. Please feel free to approach me. |
People who do not wish to be in any photographs or video may wear a black circle. It is not necessary to wear any coloured badge, for instance if you don't have problems initiating or being approached by others.
Important: It is not necessary to use any badge at all. If you are okay with approaching others, and with others approaching you (even if you do not wish to interact, but are comfortable saying so), then there is no need to use a coloured badge. If green is used as a default for everyone who wishes to interact, wheter they can initiate or not, then it is less meaningful for those who have difficulty initating and rely on others to approach them.
It is very important that everyone respect the coloured interaction badges and black circles.
Sensory Issues
Sensory issues, and mechanisms to reduce them, are totally acceptable. No one will think it odd if you wear tinted glasses, earplugs, headphones, or whatever you may require. Unfortunately, the venue does have fluorescent lighting, but we will do our best to reduce exposure.
Autistic Behaviour
Stimming (repetitive movements), echolalia, distractibility, different or impaired conversation skills, avoidance of eye contact, perseveration (obsessiveness), are expected and accepted as part of an autistic conference. Appearing (or, indeed, being) completely NT is also perfectly acceptable.
Food Service
Most special diets can be catered for. Make sure you register early so that caterers can prepare suitable menus in good time. Meals are served cafeteria-style, in a communal dining hall. That part is not very autistic friendly, but we have arranged with the venue that once you have your meal you may take it to your room or out to the garden if you find a full room difficult.
Getting Away
There will be a designated quiet room where you can go to relax and 'chill out' if things are getting too much. There are extensive grounds you can walk around in. The venue is in the Yorkshire Dales and the villages of Settle and Giggleswick are each about a mile away. It is okay to leave in the middle of a presentation as long as you do your best not to be disruptive.
Challenges
Overload
Overload can easily happen in a strange environment with many people.
What we will do
We will do our best to keep things orderly and calm. There are a number of quiet spaces to get away to, both indoors and out.
What you can do
- Bring earplugs, headphones, sunglasses, or whatever you require to reduce the impact of sensory issues.
- Familiarise yourself with the location of various designated quiet spaces.
- Take time out as needed.
- Sit near the door if you are likely to need to leave during a presentation.
- Choose a 'no interaction' room if you want your room to be a quiet escape.
Choices
There are many choices to be made before and throughout the conference, from what you'd like to eat, to which activities you'd like to participate in. Choices are difficult for many people, and autistic people often find it extra difficult.
What we will do:
- We will try to give as much information as possible in advance so you can consider your options.
- We have reduced the number of concurrent workshops since last year, so there are fewer hard decisions to make.
What you can do:
Consider your options well ahead of time. Menus should be posted near the dining room so you can consider your food choices in advance. Decide which workshops and leisure activities you would like to do. This can limit the stress of having many choices to make when you have a lot of other things to cope with. It has the additional benefit of helping us prepare for how many people will be at each activity.
Sharing a Room
Many participants will be sharing a room with someone they don't know. We understand this can be very difficult, but it is the only way to allow as many people as possible to participate in Autscape.
What we will do
We will try to match you up with the most compatible roommate(s) we can find.
What you can do
- If noises disturb you, earplugs may help you sleep more comfortably.
- If you are up a lot in the night, please be quiet and respectful of your sleeping roommate.
- You can choose to have a 'no interaction' room, and please respect it if your roommate would prefer not to interact in the room.
Busy Days
Some people will find the amount of active time each day quite tiring.
What we will do
- We have scheduled long (at least 30 mins) breaks between each activity, and a leisure session each afternoon.
- Late afternoons and evenings are more relaxed, with practical activities and discussion groups.
What you can do:
- Remember to take time out to relax in whatever way works best for you. Taking adequate rest and sleep will help you cope with as much activity as you would like.
- You always have the choice not to do a particular activity, or to leave early if you're feeling stressed. Only you can decide what you would like to do with your time at Autscape. See also: Choices.
Unstructured Time
Some autistic people don't know what to do with themselves if there is a large amount of unstructured time, especially in an unfamiliar place. Knowing what to expect and what to do all the time can help some people to cope better.
What we will do
- We have tried to keep a balance between structured and unstructured time.
- We have kept large blocks of totally unstructured time to a minimum, and even that has many options for activities you could do alone or with others to fill it.
- Some of the options won't be determined until the event, but there will be opportunities to suggest or sign up for structured or semi-structured activities for most of the time there.
What you can do
- If unstructured time is a problem for you, try to think ahead about how you would like to occupy yourself in the evenings.
- Bring your own entertainment such as books, music, electronic devices, games to share, musical instruments, or other interests and hobbies.
- Consider running a structured discussion one evening, and think of some topics you would like to discuss with others.
Self-Care
The Difficulty:
Many autistic people have trouble taking care of themselves. You will have to be able to get yourself up, washed and dressed, and get to meals, without intervention from others.
What we will do:
- The structure of the days will help many people with routines of rising and going to bed and taking breaks.
- Meals are cooked for you and served at specific times, so your nutrition should be adequately catered for as long as you partake.
What you can do:
- If you take any medication, you can get a box with compartments which you can fill ahead of time.
- Come to meals on time and ready to eat. Be prepared to communicate your meal choices by word or gesture before you get to the front of the queue.
- Take your meal away somewhere quieter if you find it hard to eat with distractions.
- Bring an alarm clock if you have difficulty getting up in the morning. If you have a portable alarm (such as on a wristwatch), you can set it to go off at bedtime or other important times of day.
- When planning how much time you will need in the morning, leave extra for dealing with an unfamiliar environment and having to share space with your roommate(s).
- Sometimes it may be possible to come to an arrangement with your roommate(s) to help each other with small tasks, as long as you recognise that in the end, you are still responsible for yourselves.
Orientation
The difficulty: Knowing and remembering where to be and when to be there. Just 'following the crowd', as would be common in a mainstream conference, may be a problem for autistic people.
What we will do: We will provide you with a schedule, including where each event will take place, and a map of the venue. There will also be schedules posted in strategic places around the venue. After registration, you will have an opportunity to have a tour of the facilities. The name of the rooms and a schedule of what is happening there, will be posted on the door of each room. The first session of the first two days will be a plenary lecture, so everyone who wishes to attend will be going to the same place at the same time.
What you can do: Wander around the facilities to familiarise yourself with the location of everything. Head to activities with plenty of time for getting lost and found again. Locate essential facilities such as toilets, fire escapes, and the dining hall. Keep your schedule and map with you. Be prepared to ask for help or direction, with gestures if necessary. (e.g. You could point to the name of the activity you're trying to find, and if the person you're asking knows where it is, they'll probably tell you how to get there.) Rehearse some essential scripts you may need if you have difficulty asking for help.
Expectations
By coming to Autscape, we expect that you can manage certain things, or will bring someone to help you. Some of these things are listed above as Challenges; these are summarised below, along with some others:
- Respect others' space and property
- Follow 'house rules' about things like smoking and drinking
- Make your own choices
- Share a room (if applicable)
- Organise your time
- Take care of your health and hygiene
- Orient yourself
- Ask for help
Help
There is no formal or professional support structure in place at Autscape. We, the organisers and participants, are also autistic and may be struggling to cope just as much as you are. This is not a structured activity group, residential facility or camp where people will take care of you - all participants are equal and considered to be competent and independent. If you need support in that, you will have to arrange to bring someone to help you.
That said, it may sometimes be possible to arrange with another participant to help in small ways. e.g. Your roommate may be willing to wake you in the morning. However, this kind of help must be voluntary and must not be an unfair burden on others nor absolutely necessary for your coping. Due to the limits of their own needs and abilities, others may not be available or 100% reliable, even if they wish to help. If you require extensive or essential assistance, please bring a support person who can provide that for you.
House Rules
Most of these rules are set by the venue, but some are specifically for our group.
- No smoking on the school premises. Some people are very sensitive to smoke. Please be aware and courteous about smoke smells on your breath and clothing.
- No perfume (or aftershave, etc.). Some autistic people are unusually sensitive to smells. They may feel very uncomfortable around people who wear perfumed products.
- No food or drink (other than water) in the meeting rooms. This is due to the risk of spills staining the floor.
- Wipe your feet. Please wipe your feet upon entering any building.