04 APRIL 2025
In this article, Anne-Marie Harrison, Education Director from Ideas Afresh, shares helpful ideas and practical steps to create an autism-friendly environment for social events. From planning ahead to making small adjustments, her advice aims to reduce anxiety and help every young person feel more comfortable, confident and included.
Planning autism-friendly events
Planning ahead to create an autism-friendly environment will hopefully promote a successful experience. It is likely that we have all had occasions where we felt unsure at a party, for example, how to mingle or where to get a drink. For some individuals, this can be paralysing and enough to prevent them from feeling able to attend other gatherings. This is why advance considerations are a worthwhile investment.
Preparation
Many people enjoy the predictability of a schedule; remember to add ‘going home’ at the end’. A considered seating plan can help set up for success. If it is possible, try to do a site visit beforehand. Ensure the attendees are familiar with where the toilets are, the bar, buffet and how they will be able to access and exit the venue. Consider everything you ‘just know’ about the expectations of this particular event and how you might communicate this. For example, are you taking a gift that will be handed over? Is there a dress code? If so pre plan what to wear, if less familiar attire and practical to do so have a trial wear.
Entertainment
Will there be entertainment? If appropriate take ear defenders or ear plugs (www.loopearplugs.com and www.flareaudio.com have a good selection) if noise reduction may be helpful. Sun glasses if flashing lights. Be mindful of entertainment; unfamiliar acts or dressed up characters. Explore if any social media pictures or examples are available to view beforehand.
Environment
Ideally attendees will be familiar with the environment. Sometimes an actual role play or practice run of selecting from a buffet, ordering a drink can ease tensions. Drink tokens can be helpful for individuals that find it difficult to keep track of the number of drinks. Taking a few familiar items and activities may be useful.
Temperature
When air conditioning units are in use, consider how the environment may affect attendees. Some individuals may find the ‘white noise’ or the sensory flow of air soothing, while others may feel uncomfortable. If this is the case, it’s helpful to provide seating in quieter areas away from the units. For events with table settings, seating people at the ends of tables and near exits can also make transitions easier and support their comfort.
Social
Demonstrate the number of people that may be present by showing pictures of the likely amount. All the school, a lot, a few can be meaningless. A picture offers a tangible reference. Practice appropriate greetings. Consider conversation opener cards.
Gifts exchange
A short role-play session can help a child understand what to expect and feel more comfortable. Some autistic children may prefer gifts to be unwrapped, as the surprise element can be overwhelming. Clear or transparent party bags can also help reduce anxiety by showing what’s inside before opening.
Expectations
Agree beforehand an exit plan. If tolerance of these environments is limited consider attending for the final X amount of time rather than the initial. This supports a feeling of success because everyone is leaving at the same time.
Quiet space
If there is a quiet space available a picture or an agreed signal for using this can be helpful.
Food
Parties often mean less familiar foods. It can be helpful to have tried some of the likely food ahead of the event or consider taking your own familiar snacks and foods. As the famous saying goes 'Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance' and of course these 5Ps, hopefully sets the scene for a more enjoyable and fun experience.
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