Challenges faced when visiting venues

As above the question is vague and wrongly assumes there is a single barrier.

Every autistic person is different but usually there are multiple barriers.

There is the auditory processing difficulties, mentioned already, that many of us have. All of the noise is competing for attention and I find it impossible to filter out a specific conversation and hear what someone is saying. In terms of helping with this, I would love it if social venues like restaurants had a table inside a soundproofed booth.

There is the sensory overload aspect of such venues, This may include noise, lights, smells, touch, too many people too close. An autistic person will not be able to tolerate an environment which overloads their sensory limits. Forcing them to do so would be potentially traumatic and damaging.

There is the anxiety related issues surrounding such environments, this may include social anxiety due to finding social interactions difficult. It may be sensory anxiety due to the overwhelming sensory overload in such places.

Personally I just do not enjoy visiting social venues due to a combination of all of the above and more. I do not see any benefit in 'pushing myself' into such an environment that overwhelms and distresses me. 

I am not sure of the context in which you use the term 'push yourself' but that phrase is a pet hate of mine. As I have briefly explained it is potentially damaging to an autistic person to 'push themselves beyond their limits. Friends and family members should not try to do so either. If an autistic person expresses indicators of sensory distress then their suffering should be acknowledged and steps taken to reduce that distress.

As above the question is vague and wrongly assumes there is a single barrier.

Every autistic person is different but usually there are multiple barriers.

There is the auditory processing difficulties, mentioned already, that many of us have. All of the noise is competing for attention and I find it impossible to filter out a specific conversation and hear what someone is saying. In terms of helping with this, I would love it if social venues like restaurants had a table inside a soundproofed booth.

There is the sensory overload aspect of such venues, This may include noise, lights, smells, touch, too many people too close. An autistic person will not be able to tolerate an environment which overloads their sensory limits. Forcing them to do so would be potentially traumatic and damaging.

There is the anxiety related issues surrounding such environments, this may include social anxiety due to finding social interactions difficult. It may be sensory anxiety due to the overwhelming sensory overload in such places.

Personally I just do not enjoy visiting social venues due to a combination of all of the above and more. I do not see any benefit in 'pushing myself' into such an environment that overwhelms and distresses me. 

I am not sure of the context in which you use the term 'push yourself' but that phrase is a pet hate of mine. As I have briefly explained it is potentially damaging to an autistic person to 'push themselves beyond their limits. Friends and family members should not try to do so either. If an autistic person expresses indicators of sensory distress then their suffering should be acknowledged and steps taken to reduce that distress.