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 autistic 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.
Interaction Control
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 colour-coded badge system for indicating your interaction boundaries to others without needing to talk. Feel free to switch badge colours at any time for any reason, or no reason at all.
| No initiation | Red | Please do not initiate any interaction with me. |
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| Prior Permission | Yellow | Please do not initiate unless I gave you prior permission to approach me on a yellow badge. |
| Please initiate | Green | I would like to socialise but have difficulty initiating. Please initiate with me. |
| Neutral | White (or no badge) | I am able to regulate my own interaction. (This is the same as not wearing any badge.) |
An Autscape initiation badge showing the green option. Photo by HP
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, whether they can initiate or not, then it is less meaningful for those who have difficulty initiating and rely on others to approach them.
It is very important that everyone respect the coloured interaction badges.
Extra Opt-in Badges
These small extra badges were introduced to meet the needs of autistic people who have serious difficulty saying no when someone approaches them with a request. They can optionally be pinned to your lanyard, badge holder, or clothes.
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Camera: People can ask you to take your photo or video. |
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Teddy bear: People can ask you for a hug. |
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Book with pen and mic: People can ask you to be quoted or to participate in research or interviews. |
If someone is not wearing the corresponding badge, it is against the rules even to ask them that thing.
Even if a person is wearing a badge, they may say “no” and that should be respected without question.
If you think you might find it difficult to say “no,” don’t wear a badge! If someone asks you for one of these things even though you are not wearing a badge, try to gently remind them that they are not meant to ask you and that no, you don’t give permission.
Sensory Issues
Sensory issues, and mechanisms to reduce them, are totally acceptable. No one will think it odd if you wear tinted glasses, ear-plugs, headphones, or whatever you may require. Unfortunately, the venue does have some 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. Some of us find full, loud and/or echo-y dining halls too difficult.
So, some years, we are able to arrange an additional quiet dining room where you can take your meal after collecting it, where acoustics are good and it is not allowed to talk out loud. Other years, we may arrange with the venue that once you have your meal you may take it to your room or out to the garden. It depends on what this year's venue will let us do.
Getting Away
There will be a designated quiet room where you can go to relax and 'chill out' if things are getting too much. The venue has grounds you can walk around in. It is okay to leave anytime during a presentation as long as you do your best not to be disruptive.