To wish the world was more autism friendly?

[Tobythecat]

I wish for the following -

• dimmed lighting in all supermarkets shops and offices

-neutral packaging with no patterns in shops and supermarkets

• every road or busy side road to have a crossing
• Easily read signs to helps with finding your way around
• Phone calls not allowed on public transport unless an emergency
• No loud chatting on the bus and giggling like a banshee

-Autism-friendly jobs (perhaps linked to individuals special interest)

• Autism rooms in shops/supermarkets to retreat to if feeling overwhelmed

-No music in shops -Loud people must be fitted with a volume control device, and if they exceed the limit, they get hit on the head

• People who beep their car horns to greet friends on the street/road should have their horn removed and wear a t-shirt that says I am a twat.

Feel free to add your own!

DD2 suggests getting rid of all the people. Everywhere.

Using sarcasm or metaphors should result in a little banner appearing over the speakers head saying SARCASM, METAPHOR, or RHETORICAL QUESTION.

Honestly, I get it, OP. a couple of people in my life are on the spectrum, and one would quite a few additions to your wishlist around food.

No food to touch on plates unless specifically requested
No ingredients that haven't been examined prior to cooking
No overwhelming portions

I think that some of what you suggest is very sensible and completely possible.
Shops don't need music. More Quiet spaces would be great. Better signage would be good for all.
Some of what you suggest could have negative implications for others though. Dim lighting - how does that affect those with visual imparements. Similarly for those with hearing issues and volume control. I sometimes look like I'm shouting but my grandparents can't hear me otherwise.

I'd just really appreciate more effort to understand from people who make negative comments or judgements. (My dx and DDs are pending with professionals in agreement and both DSs are diagnosed.)

No blasting music in shops, turning it down in some cases even 50% would mean everyone could still hear it easily, no need for it to be blasting.
No loud phone calls in public places
No standing incredibly close, don't get people who need to stand within an inch of you in a queue.
No emoticons with no context to what theyre confused about !
No smelly food in trains/buses
I wish I could wear a sign saying no awkward chit chat to me please, I know supermarket assistants/bus drivers etc are being friendly, but I never know what to say back!
I can dream

Yabu. It's impossible to see to the needs of every individual on this planet. For example neutral packaging/dim lighting wouldn't help somebody with sight difficulties.

I understand what you are saying as I have aspergers, and DS1 is autistic, though I think I would add

People being considerate of others needs (autism or not) and not assuming everyone with autism needs the same adjustments, my needs are different to DS1's, and no 2 people with autism are the same.

It's also not fair to put the needs of autism above everyone else's needs op.

Things like huge LED display boards at tube stations in London are a nightmare for some of the kids I support. It makes it very difficult to keep a child safe when there's a display sparkling like a Christmas tree right there in their face , distracting them and hindering them listening to your instructions while in a busy noisy place.

kool and alicia isn't it obvious this is just a way for the op and others to vent about how regular life can be hard for peplls who are autistic or have autistic children?

But then ds has autism and likes loud noise. What he can't bear is soft whispery noises and the louder noises drown these out. So your idea of a perfect world for autism would not be his. That's the trouble you will never be able to adjust for everyone. But time out areas in big shops would be good I think not just for people with autism but anyone who needs a break.

Moist my ds1 agrees with you,
People that think my son is a spoilt brat when he has a meltdown
Judgy bastards
I'd love rooms dotted about in towns like baby changing rooms but quiet comfy safe places
Just more education so others can understand why my 11 year old can't help but scream and cry occasionally.
On a lighter note he was struggling in school, I'd utterly broken and been signed off work and put on mad head tablets and he announced to the head and deputy and anyone who could hear that I'd been sacked because I was lazy, I was off in soft fuzzy tablet land so it barely registered lol xx

I wish some people could be autism friendly. I wish society had a bit more patience for children. The amount of people that kick off about children who aren't completely angelic in cafes, at the supermarket, on the bus, etc... That doesn't just apply to children with autism either but children in general.
So many people dismiss autism as an excuse for children being "naughty" and parents being "lazy".

It would be wonderful wouldn't it OP if we could make things as easy as possible for our children. My DC is visually impaired, so if kerbs, steps etc would be marked that would be great. Chicken, the huge LED displays are great for VI and Christmas trees are lovely for my child as it's something that she can see and enjoy.

I think the best we can hope for is for everyone to be more tolerant of others needs. Equally we need to be open about what those needs are as they vary tremendously even between children with similar disabilities.

Too bright isn't often great for VI people if they are light sensitive (photophobia).

I would stop people staring. Those extra seconds you stare at my child, that you think isn't noticed, it is! And if you have to discuss my DC differences, please wait until you get home. The amount of times I've overheard you talk about my DC. It may be fascinating to you, but it's our life and my child.

I like your penultimate suggestion OP, and would gladly volunteer to be chief head-bopper.

Ooh, yes to quiet supermarkets!

More clothes made from soft jersey cotton please.

(Also my secret fantasy is a week in Centre Parcs in the school holidays where no one else is allowed!)

The OP has autism, she's posted about it on other threads. I know it's impossible to know that unless you've come across them, but it's not impossible to be KIND, is it? It's her wishlist.

I would add - people should do what they say they're going to do. It's very confusing when plans change quickly, without time for adjustment.

Crazy, there is no such thing as an "autism friendly"adjustment that suits everybody with autism, not to mention that most people don't have autism and you would be inconveniencing and disadvantaging most of the population to attempt to impose something.