Autscape or camps, holidays, events etc for autistic adults

NAS36895 said:

Also, has anyone here been to Autscape? I'd be really interested to know how you found it, what it's like, if you have. I have no real conception of it despite having read up about it, I wonder if I would struggle with all the noise/business, I do not do especially well in very busy or noisy environments, or brightly lit ones for that matter.

I thought I'd report back from the final day of this year's Autscape. It's my second year here. For all I know you're here too.

The closest comparison I can make is with an academic conference or maybe a science-fiction convention, but it also has elements of a retreat and an autistic environment between a toybox and a library. The main adaptations are to deal with precisely those concerns of noise and busy-ness. We flap rather than clap, all try to be aware of others' sensory sensitivities and need for clarity, there's a quiet dining area available for those who need it, and a sensory room and quieter events going on alongside the main programme streams. (There's also the occasional excursion and trampolining, which is good for some sensory issues.) Having said that, no venue is perfect for autistic needs, and some have been complaining about the sound of lawnmowers nearby this year. One hall had good acoustics for performance, but terrible for lectures.

Everything is optional, and you can control your social interaction by the famous colours, this year on cards: most people are on white or neutral meaning 'I can regulate my own social interaction', red and yellow are to stop anyone unwanted from approaching you, while green actively means 'please initiate conversation'. There's now even a badge you can choose to wear to say you can be asked for a hug; that may seem an un-autistic thing to do, but I've had some nice hugs from people I've only just met because the rules here are clearer. There are also small, self-supporting 'home groups' meeting twice a day or so. I can't personally think of how it could meet autistic needs better in those respects, although Autscape itself can't provide any specific support (I suppose that's potentially a bottomless pit; you can of course bring a carer or support worker). It's all put together into the Autscape handbook: http://www.autscape.org/2018/autscape-handbook-2018

As DC mentioned, the only real drawback is the cost, which affects who can come, but is necessary for a self-sustaining, independent and autistic-run event hiring a big venue (this year Tonbridge School). There are definitely working class people and people on benefits who come, but it's less diverse in ethnicity than it is in disability, gender and sexuality, if you see what I mean. (And there's a fox with an unusual dark spot on the tail just running across the housemaster's lawn as I write this at 7am.) Anyway, if you want to come next year, you can sign up to the announcement list by sending a blank email to announce-subscribe@lists.autscape.org, or just keep checking www.autscape.org. I can see why people would just want to try it by coming for the day, but of course you'd need to check the programme when it's available to see which day is of most interest to you. Wednesday and Thursday have been the days with equal amount of significant lectures and activities, and both times I've come people have put on an entertainment evening (mostly musicians of a wide range of skills) on the Thursday, running past 9pm. There are a lot of things on the programme I've kicked myself for missing, but at least I managed last night.

I've coped OK so far, although of course I've brought my mood and sleep issues with me, which have prevented me participating or socialising as much as I'd like. Maybe being yourself takes energy as well as masking. Somehow I've managed to avoid any really deep conversations, and there are people I'd probably like to be friends with after the event but am not sure how; I'd rather not wait another year to see them again. People have found others with similar special interests. There are some very clever and talented people here, which is a bit daunting for me, but at least I don't have to dumb down my conversation for a (neuro)typical majority. It hasn't really helped me with my ambivalence towards my diagnosis, but if you're someone wanting to change society for the better for autistic people and want some validation, Autscape should be a good place. There are positive moves being made by autistic people in society towards both inclusion and statutory services providing some 'accessible and appropriate' adult support, but it's a slow process. In some ways Autscape itself is a prototype for or microcosm of a better society.

I'm grateful to all the organisers and volunteers and the people I've met who've shown me kindness. I hope there's another Autscape next year as expected, and it would be fantastic if people are inspired by Autscape or autistic pride to set up their own, smaller, autistic-run events. I'm not sure I'll come again though. Maybe I'm upset by the disruption to my home routine without having friends around, or maybe it's the examination of self and society, or my 'non-autistic needs' and mostly-typical senses, but I'm ambivalent about whether I belong here more than someone else who could come in my place. I haven't found it cliquey at all, but obviously some people are better at enjoying interaction than others (many would pass as NT without any need to). Writing this has helped me think a bit more about what I need.

(edit: correct phonetic misspelling and clarifications.)

Cassandro said:

(And there's a fox with an unusual dark spot on the tail just running across the housemaster's lawn as I right this at 7am.)

...Whehey! More like this is nice to read upon this Forum!

...That aside, I think that - five months ago! - this was an aside. As this Thread is revived, can anyone supply information about the rest, please? 

NAS36895 said:

I am wondering whether there are any annual events for autistic adults in the UK that anyone else here goes to? I know about Autscape but no other events. I wondered if anyone here has found or been to any others?

...This part, Thanks. I once Telephoned NAS themselves about a certain offered service, but they offer "day trips to the Coast" only if you happen to live beside the Coast anyway... so that was of no use at all to myself. (If it were useful, I would post the Link, here.)

Cassandro said:

(And there's a fox with an unusual dark spot on the tail just running across the housemaster's lawn as I right this at 7am.)

...Whehey! More like this is nice to read upon this Forum!

...That aside, I think that - five months ago! - this was an aside. As this Thread is revived, can anyone supply information about the rest, please? 

NAS36895 said:

I am wondering whether there are any annual events for autistic adults in the UK that anyone else here goes to? I know about Autscape but no other events. I wondered if anyone here has found or been to any others?

...This part, Thanks. I once Telephoned NAS themselves about a certain offered service, but they offer "day trips to the Coast" only if you happen to live beside the Coast anyway... so that was of no use at all to myself. (If it were useful, I would post the Link, here.)

Disambiguating Cynosure said:

...Whehey! More like this is nice to read upon this Forum!

What I can see from my own window is mostly just pigeons, but earlier on rustling in the branches of the sycamore tree was a blue tit.