Advice for taking autistic child to panto

[milkandpancakes]

My parents have very kindly got panto tickets which I think were quite pricey. However I'm worried my six year old DS (who is high functioning autistic) may not cope very well with the noise and unfamiliarity of it all. We're actually due to go later today and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to handle it and make him comfortable?

Noise cancelling headphones?

Social story?

Also, you could try contacting the production company to see if you could meet the actors in advance so that he could meet them before they are on stage. That often helps them to realise it isn’t real.

Noise cancelling headphones

Show him the CBeebies panto so he knows vaguely what to expect.

Panto is generally very loud, with lots of flashing lights, lots of audience interaction (booing the baddie, standing up to sing along with the song sheet), there may be throwing out of sweets or squirting the audience with water pistols.

Unfortunately at such short notice it's unlikely that the cast would be able to meet your DS ahead of the performance, everything is on a very tight schedule, especially if there are two or three performances on the same day.

To be brutally honest, I don't think it's a very helpful gift, especially as (presumably) it isn't a scheduled relaxed performance?

Ear defenders (ds wears these at shows and cinema and can still here what is going on, but muffled sudden noise which is what he hates)

Making sure there is a clear route out if needed

A bag of snacks that he likes

If you Google the panto there may be pictures online to show him (always try to Google baddy.....I learnt this after ds freaked out big time at King Rat.......also the clear escape route one.......)

....and the 'take a comfort pillow/fleece/hoodie or similar to hide behind if upset by a particular character scene' one!!

Simple social story

My DS (hfa) loves the panto because he can shout and join in as well without people getting annoyed at him.

If you explain about what will happen, that he can join in and also warn him that there may be crowd interaction (at our recent panto they used a water gun on the crowd which would have bothered DS if he hadn’t anticipated it) that will help.

They often sell light up toys before the show which can bother DS, as he finds the flashing lights distracting. I usually bring sunglasses to help him filter out the lights and ear defenders in case the volume is too much for him

Hope that helps

Taking ds to meet cast would add another layer of panic tbh!!

It will totally depend on your child. I have 2 with ASD, one loves the panto, sits nicely, is no problem.
Second one wouldn't be distressed but wouldn't be able to follow it and can't sit still so would be disruptive - I'd rather chew off my right arm than take him to the panto.

Some of the larger pantos have shows which are specifically for people with sensory issues. So there's less of the fireworks, shouting out things like that.
I'm hoping you have tickets for that?!?!?!

My dd is 6 with ASD what would be described as high functioning. She lives the panto, because it follows a formula, she knows the story (fairytale) and the humour tends to be slapstick.

We took her weighted lap blanket and sensory stuff. Ear defenders. Showed her pictures of the panto and theatre on Internet.

The one we went to wasn't that loud, certainly not like the cinema, as the sound is mostly actors projecting from the stage.

And she allowed to talk, ask questions and fidget without people getting annoyed.

Ds is okay at a non relaxed performance as long as he has the things I've posted and if the person with him talks about what is happening/going to happen whilst the show is on (yes, I know....there have probably been mumsnet threads about us!)

My kids all love the panto. Id call the theatre and explain. There might be a relaxed performance you can swap tickets for? Or a disabled box which is a bit set back?
Id take ear dwfenders just in cas

You could try calling the theatre to find out if they have a relaxed performance of the panto and whether they would swap the tickets after you've explained the situation. For future panto shows, ask for theatre vouchers or as them to book relaxed performances directly.

Lots of theatres do relaxed performances and audio subscribed performances nowadays. I'm taking my children to see a relaxed performance of the Snowman in London.

I've been trying to call the theatre to see if they can suggest anything but I can't get through 😩.

Thanks for these suggestions.

Some theatres produce their own social stories. Like this: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/mmlib/includes/sendapplicationfile.php?id=4486

For what it’s worth, my DS has been to several and loved them. I hope you all have fun

If he hasnt been to the panto before I would give a non relaxed performance a go. Just be prepared for things to not go to plan, do what you can, but be prepared to leave if he is upset. He might love it, he might hate unexpected things...or not....you don't know until you try it.

How did you get on, @milkandpancakes ?

For future info many theatres and production companies will let you know about any pyrotechnics used if you ask in advance. I have issues with sudden loud noises and have done this with my local theatre and Disney on Ice, and received helpful responses.