Published on 12, July, 2020
I've got a field trip with my uni at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to the actual learning content and doing the field work, it's the peripherals that are causing concern.
The last field trip I did, I was not prepared for how hard I found some aspects of it, particularly eating (I thought I wasn't a picky eater, turns out I just make all my own food) and the being around people 24/7.
The eating thing I am going to deal with by taking lots of bars and some plain tortillas and then I can at least fuel myself for the bits I can't eat (which isn't too much, it's mostly lunch and some breakfasts). So there's somewhat of a plan and it should work out fine.
The being around people 24/7 is going to be made worse by the trip being longer, and the accommodation being dormitory style rather than the two people per room that was last time. Last time my room partner would go hang out with her friends and I could use the space to recharge a bit. I don't know how I'm going to manage to recharge, as from the info I'm given there's no obvious space I can go to be alone for a while, and also no time to. The really big issue is that being around people for a super long time and not getting a break when I'm getting overwhelmed leaves me super susceptible to meltdowns.
The last one was at a family gathering and ended up with me rocking and sobbing behind a pea bush saying 'there are people everywhere' over and over again. That was bad enough around my extended family with a mum who knows what the problem was and how to fix it (clear a room, forbid all outside access, and leave me there for the rest of the day). I have no idea what would happen if that happened on a field trip with uni leaders and other uni students. The uni leaders and one of the students I know are aware I'm autistic and might disappear periodically, but I have no idea where to go for it. And even if they theoretically know I'm autistic, you don't necessarily know what a meltdown is going to look like or what to do when one happens. But I also don't want to tell them before hand because A. I don't know them well enough, especially the staff. And B. if it then doesn't happen it looks like I'm making up stuff for attention.
So, anyone who has done uni field trip, how do you deal with this? Anyone in general, any ideas?
Hi,
I can relate to this- and I think you are courageous to go on the trip! I think it might be a good idea to talk to someone from university- do you have a mentor? What comes to my mind is that you need an ‘exit strategy ‘ - you need to be able to take a break and retreat somewhere if it all gets too overwhelming- you mention that there isn’t a space to do this- but maybe this could be arranged? Or you could take a short walk? It would be good if someone was aware so that you could just go and take a break if necessary- ideally you take a break before you get overwhelmed too much. I still struggle to recognise the signs but I’m getting better and I now sometimes leave the lab briefly to go out for a short walk during day when I notice that I get overwhelmed and stressed. I can relate to the challenges around food as well (brings back lots of memories of school trips and camps as a child where I essentially lived off snacks I brought). It sounds like you have a plan for the food- you could even ask if you can put some things in the fridge too if that helps. Will you be sharing a room? Is there anyone else going on the trip that you know well and can maybe confide in so they can watch out for you too? I don’t think people will think you are making things up for attention. I think reaching out to the university is a good idea- I’m at the same university for my PhD (and was there for Bachelor and masters) and so far they have been extremely supportive and understanding- there is a very high proportion of neurodiverse students and I suspect they have a lot of experience with helping out making field trips more manageable and accessible. the science will be really exciting! Hope it goes well!
Hi I think it's definitely a good idea to tell somebody so they can support you if you need support.
Could you take some autism info things with you like leaflets so they can read about it and understand it beforehand?
Also if you like music maybe you could wear earpods to help distract you from the sound of others around you? People can quickly become overwhelming
Or earplugs to block out the loudness.
I hope it all goes really well and you have a lovely time ^^
Autumn_Trees said: If you stay quiet and don't let them know, it could all go quite badly wrong and you won't have people there to help you. You're arming them with the knowledge that will allow them to assist you if something goes wrong.
Great advice - get in touch (maybe get someone close to you to do it if you find these conversations difficult) and express your needs to them.
Point out the risks (meltdown) from your diasability and that they can help with a few reasonable changes.
I've done the uni field trip thing and the issues with people who don't wash, snore, bring hookups back at nigh, get drunk and disruptive etc really spoiled it for me.
You may get some grief from your colleagues for getting special treatment so it may be worth thinking some replies to this.
The social aspects can be some of the best aspects of these events however so I would suggest engaging as much as you reasonably can, but only if you have your safe space to retreat to.
Think of it as an adventure and it may give you the capacity to accept the differences more easily. Embrace the difference, the unusual and the new. That was what made it easier for me.
Hi there,
I love your name - I find the word 'squid' very satisfying to say.
I don't know about field trips especially, but I had to go on a number of group trips as a youngster that I felt wholly unprepared for - this was before I knew I was AuDHD.
Considering you are university age, I would suggest that the best course of action is to identify whoever is the organiser on the trip and just have a small, private conversation with them. I know you said you don't know them, but in this situation you are the 'kid' and they are the 'teachers' - you are their responsibility and therefore they need to accommodate your needs.
No need to feel self conscious or anything - just look at it like this: if they know what your issues and limitations are, they can work with them. If you stay quiet and don't let them know, it could all go quite badly wrong and you won't have people there to help you. You're arming them with the knowledge that will allow them to assist you if something goes wrong.
If you're staying in dorm style bunking (my nightmare) they will damn sure have private rooms/cabins for the teachers, so they can allocate you one of those. Make it clear that staying in a dorm isn't suitable for your individual needs.
There is no need to feel awkward about any of this - you're all adults and their job is to make the trip accessible and safe for everyone.
Good luck and keep us posted xxx