Thanks, this is all very interesting and useful information. One of the reasons I asked, in fact, is the ongoing process of learning how to cope with such a disability in my immediate family (PTSD) so this is practically useful to me as well as theoretically interesting.
It probably sounds ridiculous that these aren't things I am able to intuit already; I think it's partly because so much of the anxiety involved is focused around other people, whose behaviour is not knowable, it becomes easy to incorrectly assume there are no other factors. And, indeed, to start feeling a little hopeless about really being able to effectively help improve that for the person in question.
But reading through your list I found myself realising that yes, these are all things I've seen assist in creating a calmer environment already.
I absolutely agree that setting out clear guidelines for any planned event or professional conduct in public spaces is very useful, but I also think that it's probably the area which is most likely to break down simply because it's not as static an issue as putting up signs or choosing (not) to have certain light/sound features. Especially if we're talking about a general attitude to access issues rather than planning around a specific event.
But the idea of looking at the functional limitations beyond the more obvious "social interaction" issues is very useful and you're right, yields immediate, obvious, practical solutions.
Not to say that there aren't good practical solutions to the social interaction issue either - you named some of them, and I know there are others including making an environment welcome for a friend/relative/support worker to also attend if necessary/desired. But I still think it's the most difficult issue to solve because it's the most fluid and dependent on the most changing factors.
Thanks again for taking the time to put together such a thoughtful and clear reply. It really has helped me organise my thoughts on the issue and has given me a new framework in which to consider things.
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It probably sounds ridiculous that these aren't things I am able to intuit already; I think it's partly because so much of the anxiety involved is focused around other people, whose behaviour is not knowable, it becomes easy to incorrectly assume there are no other factors. And, indeed, to start feeling a little hopeless about really being able to effectively help improve that for the person in question.
But reading through your list I found myself realising that yes, these are all things I've seen assist in creating a calmer environment already.
I absolutely agree that setting out clear guidelines for any planned event or professional conduct in public spaces is very useful, but I also think that it's probably the area which is most likely to break down simply because it's not as static an issue as putting up signs or choosing (not) to have certain light/sound features. Especially if we're talking about a general attitude to access issues rather than planning around a specific event.
But the idea of looking at the functional limitations beyond the more obvious "social interaction" issues is very useful and you're right, yields immediate, obvious, practical solutions.
Not to say that there aren't good practical solutions to the social interaction issue either - you named some of them, and I know there are others including making an environment welcome for a friend/relative/support worker to also attend if necessary/desired. But I still think it's the most difficult issue to solve because it's the most fluid and dependent on the most changing factors.
Thanks again for taking the time to put together such a thoughtful and clear reply. It really has helped me organise my thoughts on the issue and has given me a new framework in which to consider things.