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Do you hate Alton Towers?

IntruderAlarmAbatis

For Alton Towers, also read Flamingo Land, Lego World, Chessington World of Adventure, and any other "Theme Park"

A bit of background to the question. I've been coaching and supporting a young person today who is Autistic, is 17, and has gone to Alton Towers for the first time.  I didn't go on the trip as I've been a few times before and ***ING HATED IT BEYOND EMOTIONAL POSSIBILITIES.  If you hate it, I don't need to explain, but "the noise" is only the tip of the iceberg. 

This young person had a terrible time, describing themselves as being overwhelmed, having to leave a shop because they were going to cry, and all the *** shame something like that feels like, being surrounded by NT peers who are loving it. One of the final comments I made to this young person was going to be along the lines of "don't worry, all Autistic people hate Alton Towers" but I didn't send it because I realised I was projecting my own thoughts and feelings onto all autistic people.

So I thought I'd ask this community if there were any types of Autism which don't mind or even LOVE Alton Towers

Parents
  • IntruderAlarmAbatis said:
    One of the final comments I made to this young person was going to be along the lines of "don't worry, all Autistic people hate Alton Towers" but I didn't send it

    For some sensory-seeking autistic people, theme parks and the stimulation of their senses by loud noise and rides can be extremely enjoyable.

    Whilst some of us can be hypersensitive to such things as loud noises and motion - and so can actively try to avoid them - others can be hyposensitive / under-sensitive in respect of those senses, and actively seek them out.

    It’s always important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and that there’s no such thing as a “typical autistic person”.

Reply
  • IntruderAlarmAbatis said:
    One of the final comments I made to this young person was going to be along the lines of "don't worry, all Autistic people hate Alton Towers" but I didn't send it

    For some sensory-seeking autistic people, theme parks and the stimulation of their senses by loud noise and rides can be extremely enjoyable.

    Whilst some of us can be hypersensitive to such things as loud noises and motion - and so can actively try to avoid them - others can be hyposensitive / under-sensitive in respect of those senses, and actively seek them out.

    It’s always important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and that there’s no such thing as a “typical autistic person”.

Children
  • in reply to Bunny

    HyPO sensitivity is one of the interesting things i've recently begun to learn about and help me to understand myself better, I have an almost non-existent reaction to caffeine, and have had to have the highest possible dose of medication for depression to even begin to start feeling treated by it.

    So I am aware of the hypo-seeking of loud noises, busy environments etc. but in my experience of living and working with autistic people, still the majority do appear to be people/noise/light/activity adverse, rather than attracted.  

    I know being attracted to something like Alton Towers is a possibility within the spectrum, but for ease of communication with someone who had had a very adverse reaction, it was of more value to generalise at that moment.

    However now, I was wondering what people's own experiences were - you didn't mention how you feel about it, what are your own feelings?