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What is "Autism Friendly"?

stranger

NAS have advertised a few shows on Facebook and Twitter and claim they're Autism Friendly. When I've asked what this means, I've never got an answer. How can something be Autism Friendly if the needs of each Autistic person is different? I do want to go to one of these shows; but won't be able to cope if people are free to just get up, walk around and make noise. That is not Autism Friendly. That is inaccessible.

  • I also find that odd.  I think it's more for low-functioning autistic people/children who are less able to sit still and watch a whole film, and also they are free to make the noise they want.

    Personally, I can't bear even people rustling their popcorn near me when I'm at the cinema.

    I wrongly thought autism-friendly meant that they turn the volume of the film down.  I know not all autistic people have sensory issues but many do.  I took my daughters to see Tinkerbell and we were all screeching and covering our ears at the pre-film adverts they were so loud!

  • Yes, we all have different sensitivities. What will bother one person will not bother another.

  • True. But my point still stands - the needs of each person on the spectrum is different.

  • Indeed.

    I was at the cinema on Wednesday and there were 2 kids whose parents basically let them move around and make noise. Very off putting.

    I do sometimes need to get up and walk around (else I become stiff and very sore) but do so quietly.

    Leaving the lights on is awful. The cinema I go to has some spot lights (I think that's what they're called) which are dim. That's fine. But nothing too bright.

  • It's a contradiction in terms!

    stranger said:

    ...people are free to just get up, walk around and make noise.

    That's pretty much what it means!

    Oh, and they often leave the lights on (if it's a film/show/etc)!

    That is not Autism Friendly. That is inaccessible.

    That was exactly what I thought when I first saw something described as "Autism Friendly" and then discovered what that appeared to mean.

    But, why should anyone listen to us, eh, stranger?