Autism-friendly events and venues to enjoy with your child

These venues and events are created specifically for autistic people to enjoy. Usually, they are well planned and have lights, sounds and scents that are gentle for kids and adults on the spectrum.

Autism-friendly events and venues are particularly created for autistic children and their families. These events and venues are organized to help autistic people have a pleasant experience in the company of their loved ones. As we already know, people in the autism spectrum disorder usually go through sensory overloads that can cause meltdowns that make it difficult for them to enjoy specific activities. That is why these recreational alternatives were created.

What makes an event or venue “autism-friendly”?

Events and places for autistic people are usually trendy in metropolitan cities, like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. However, there are many other places where families can enjoy with members of the spectrum.

From zoos, theaters, and cinemas, people are taking the time and effort to support people on the autism spectrum by modifying their public spaces. These modifications usually consist of: 

• Lowering sounds and minimizing bright lights to avoid sensory assaults. 
• Fewer rules when it comes to getting up and moving around or making noises.
• Special shows and events created only for families with autistic members.

Others such as:

• Less competitive (or non-competitive) sports leagues.
• Small and less demanding classes, such as dance, yoga or swimming.

Autism-friendly venues and events bring a significant amount of benefits for autistic children and their families. Some of these benefits are:

• These events and venues have prepared staff, ready and willing to help your autistic child accommodate. They are also well-prepared to deal with certain sensory issues or anxieties attacks that might happen during the event.
• Autism-friendly events are created and designed to be easy-going for both parents and children.
• These events are ideal to unite parents and siblings who rarely go out with their autistic relative.
• Parents will likely be less anxious or stressed because other families that understand they will surround them.

Autism Speaks share on their web page an autism-friendly event finder. There you can discover plenty of events and venues depending on your location. You can find more information here.

Autism-friendly events and venues are created to help increase acceptance and understanding of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Soccer usually performs activities focused on soccer that help these autistic children to develop socially, physically, and emotionally in the company of other children with the spectrum and with volunteers and staff prepared and willing to help. For more information, do not hesitate and contact us in social media.

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Do You Know What Can Trigger Those Explosions in Your Autistic Child? It's Time to Understand Them Better

Give the person some time, calmly ask them what they need, and try to create a comfortable space.

A meltdown commonly happens when the person loses control of their behavior and becomes completely overwhelmed by their surrounding. This loss of control can be expressed physically by kicking or biting, or verbally by screaming or crying, and sometimes both.

Autism meltdowns and temper tantrums shouldn’t be considered the same thing

A meltdown is not a bad or naughty behavior, and should not be considered as a temper tantrum. When the person has lost control of their behavior and becomes completely overwhelmed, the result is an understandable meltdown. Behaviors such as refusing to interact or avoiding situations that might be challenging are common in both autistic meltdowns and temper tantrums. These behaviors may be considered normal for autistic people when having a meltdown because of the information or sensory overload that they receive, which cause control loss.

Autistic people can experience sensory overload sometimes in their life, but many alternatives can also be sensory relievers, for example, music.

What can trigger those explosions in your autistic child?

Every person with autism is different, but sensory differences, anxiety, changes in routine, and communication difficulties are the most common triggers for meltdowns.

There are three main tips on what to do when a person is having a meltdown:

1. The first thing to do is give them some time. Recovering from such experience can take a while, remember that having information or sensory overload can be hard.
2. It’s important to stay calm and transmit that calmness when speaking. Ask the person (or their parent or friend) if they’re OK, but remember that they might need some time to recover so the response might take some time. 
3. Try to create a quiet space to make the person feel calm in a safe environment. Make people raise awareness of the situation so they can help by turning loud music off, lowering their voices, not staring or turning bright lights down, anything that you think can help to reduce the sensory or information overload. 

These useful links can provide extra tips that help minimize the meltdowns too.

• Songs that have helped Autistic People during Meltdowns
• Exercises to Reduce Anxiety You Can Try with Your Kids

Remember that everyone is different, so everyone should be treated differently. Try these tips but if you think that something else might help, try too. Stay calm and transmit calmness to others. Focus on what can be triggering the meltdown and try to stop it.

Keep reading Autism Soccer blogs and follow our social media to know more about this and other topics.

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Songs that Have Helped Autistic People During Meltdowns

For a lot of autistic people, music works really well when trying to calm themselves down.

Sensory overload is something that can happen to anyone. It happens when there’s too much sensory stimulus going on at once, whether you’re in a room full of people, smelling strong aromas or even watching a TV with very high volume. Although anyone can experience sensory overload, it’s most common in people with certain diagnoses such as Autism.

Music can impact those with or without autism in an amazing way. Of course, sometimes music can also be a sensory overloader, but for people with autism can work amazingly.

A study from the Journal of Music Therapy in 2004 found that music used in therapy with children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder can improve aspects such as social behaviors, communication, focus and attention, and reduce anxiety.

Many known songs might work to help autistic people calm down when having a meltdown.

Here’s a list of songs that have helped autistic people during meltdowns

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.

“Bliss” by Muse.

“Hello” by Adele.

“Ride” by Twenty One Pilots.

“You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash & June Carter.

“Ho Hey” by The Lumineers.

“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.

“Rolling in the deep” Adele.

“Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven.

“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler.

“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons.

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve.

“Count On Me” by Bruno Mars.

“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of the Bay” by Otis Redding.

“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley.

“Hallelujah” by Panic! At The Disco.

“Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON.

Meditation with music might work as well.

It’s important to recall that every mind and body is different. It’s a good idea to try these songs and see what works best, but remember that what might work for someone might not work for another.

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