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| 4 people in different colors holding hands Concept: community inclusion |
I have autism, and
sensory processing disorder. The latter is the big hurdle keeping me from
making friends due to the fact I don’t get out of the house unless I am with my
safe person, who is usually my older sister.
What I need is inclusion that takes into account my sensory processing issues.
Noisy places like
coffee shops, bookstores, even libraries are unhealthy places for me to be. One
of my sensory agonies, crying/screaming kids is like putting my hand on a hot
stove. I cannot relax let alone contemplate socialization. Earplugs and
earmuffs only take the edge off long enough for me to walk away.
This is a letter I have written to community developers everywhere.
To community
developers who work to provide a more inclusive environment for those on the
autism spectrum:
Firstly, thank
you for the hard work you do in including autistic people.
That said, I
cannot access any autism friendly activities in my community. This is most
likely not your fault. You’re probably not aware of a verbal, intelligent
autistic woman who cannot socially engage in public places due to sensory
processing.
Children are
everywhere. They are included in many everyday activities. Guide dogs are also
becoming integrated into public places. Public transportation is already a
non-issue for me due to my sensory issues. It also doesn’t help that I live in
a service desert.
What I need is a
child free zone in which to meet. Kids are unpredictable. They are quiet one
minute and emitting uber decibels the next. Creating a childfree time zone,
even if it is only once a month at a coffee shop, restaurant, recreation center
(where you can isolate this activity to a room) would mean that I could
participate in my community.
I understand and
empathize with the person who needs a dog to alert them to danger or a health
issue such as seizures. For me, a dog’s bark is like having my inner ears scraped
out with metal. My psychiatrist nailed it when she said, “It’s not your fault.
Your filters are damaged.”
I am nearing 40,
and my parents are deceased. I am thinking beyond recreation. I will also need
a place to live free of already stated sensory nightmares. Affordable housing
and contributing by way of part time work and/or volunteerism are also needs
that have to be met.
I will always
need a safe person to go to when I am overwhelmed. Having people who can detect
when I am in sensory overload and can help me process it is key to my safety
and that of others. My meltdowns are verbally and physically violent, because
my entire being is on fire, and that fire engulfs those around it.
I realize this
isn’t a popular or convenient subject, but it is one that must be addressed if
I am to do more than sit around the house.
I don’t want to
wind up in a bad way when the time comes I am family-less. The precious few
people who care about me are much older than I am.
I need sensory
safe inclusion. I need it now.