A guide to creating. Relaxed Performances. for people with Autism. Page 1 of 12

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1 A guide to creating Relaxed Performances for people with Autism Page 1 of 12

2 What is Autism? Research suggests that currently 1.1% of the population have a diagnosis of autism. This statistic does not take into account the number of people whom may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people in four key areas: Communication Differences Processing Differences Social Understanding Sensory Differences Autism is referred to as a spectrum condition that means that the core features of autism will impact differently on each individual. For example two young men may both have differences in communication one of them may speak articulately and fluently, but understand very little, whereas the other may only speak in single words and understand much more. Autism is often referred to as low functioning autism' and 'high functioning autism' or Asperger s Syndrome. The main difference between the two is that someone with high functioning autism, will have an average or above IQ and will have language. The core features of autism will still affect the Why might people with autism find it difficult to access the theatre? Sensory differences. The way we make sense of the world around us relies heavily on information from our senses. For people with autism this sensory information can be perceived differently. For example in a theatre bright lights and too much noise may create anxiety. The need to follow social rules such as remaining quiet and keeping still. Unpredictability of a performance may cause anxiety about what is going to happen. Unpredictability and lack of structure can lead to anxiety in anyone, but for people with autism this anxiety is increased. Lots of people in a confined space. S oci Page 2 of 12

3 What is a Relaxed Performance? A Relaxed Performance is an adapted performance designed for people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment including people with autism. Why are relaxed performances so important? To answer these questions we asked some customers, who attended a relaxed performance to give us some feedback: Relaxed performances are a fantastic idea, the fact that I didn t need to worry that he would upset people around him because of the noises he makes was brilliant. It is very rare that I feel these calm when I take him out. The change to lighting and sound levels really helped, when I have taken her to a mainstream performances it has been to much for her as she is very hypersensitive to light and sound. My son and me had the best day out in a long time; I didn t feel stressed when he kept standing up and down. The fact that he could do this was great as he finds it hard to sit still for long periods of time. It was great that the cast introduced themselves before hand as this is something my little boy finds difficult to understand The symbols to plan our journey and in the environment really helped my son. Page 3 of 12

4 Where are we? Things to consider In preparation for the performance: New Warlands Farm Reduce the amount of tickets so that the theatre is not to full capacity. This will allow the customers to move around freely Check the script, many individuals with autism can interpret language literally and this can cause anxiety and distress. Attend the dress rehearsal and make a list of anything that may need to be dulled down. For example loud bangs, flashing lights and puffs of smoke. Enrol as many customers facing staff as possible to attend autism awareness training. Create a social story to outline the events that will happen in the customers journey (an example is provided in this pack). About the performance: Leave house lights on by 40% and no complete black outs. Relax the no latecomers rule and communicate this to customers. Allow customers to bring along their own food and drink. Reduce the amount of up selling to reduce stimuli. Turn off tannoy announcements; instead quietly tell people that the show is about to start. At the start of the show introduce the actors and the characters to reduce confusion. Create a visual menu board to be used at the bar. This will help customers communicate what they want. Page 4 of 12

5 Things to do Key messages for staff supporting on the day: People with autism are just people who experience the world differently. Accept that the relaxed performance will be a different way for you to work as many of the usual theatre rules will be relaxed. Autism is a spectrum condition and effects people in unique ways. You may see people attending the theatre alone, with family members/ friends or with carers. If someone is becoming anxious reduce as much stimuli as possible, and ensure the person does not become crowded by other staff members. Reduce the amount of language used and keep sentences short and concise. Allow more time to process information and if you need to give the information again do it in exactly the same way. Make sure you know the purpose of a relaxed performances and what differences this means to your job role. Things to do at end of the performance: Open the doors to indicate that it s time to leave and so that customers can clearly see their exit routes. Designate stewards to assist people leaving, where possible try to get rows to leave one by one to reduce the amount of congestion. Page 5 of 12

6 Your Visit to Sunderland Empire Page 6 of 12

7 1. If you need to collect your tickets, you will go to the Box Office before entering the theatre. 2. The theatre has two entrances. The Foyer, where there are no steps, and the Tower entrance which has steps. You can use either entrance Page 7 of 12

8 3. There may be queues of adults and children at the entrances so you might have to wait. It may be noisy and crowded. At the doors, there will be a member of staff who will ask to see your ticket. 4. The foyer and bar areas may be noisy and crowded. Page 8 of 12

9 5. You will use your ticket to find your seat. It will have the show, time, date and seat number on it. 6. This is the stalls level (the ground floor). 7. The seats are tipped up, so you need to hold them down to sit on them. 8. All the seats face the stage. This is where the actors will come on and perform to you and the rest of the audience. 9. It might get busy and noisy in the seating areas as people take their seats. You can cover your ears if it is too noisy for you. Page 9 of 12

10 10. There are toilets in the inside, at the back of the theatre. 11. You will see people wearing white shirts with black waistcoats and red ties. They work in the theatre and will help if you need anything or have a question. 12. There will be bells and an announcement asking you to sit down in the theatre. This means the show is about to start. 13. When the show starts, the doors to the theatre will close and the lights in the room will go a little bit darker. 14. The lights on the stage may get brighter and flash. You can cover your eyes, or put sunglasses on if you don t like it. 15. When the show starts, there will be music playing and people may clap and cheer. You are allowed to join in. 16. There will be a break in the performance which usually lasts 20 minutes. You can use the toilet in this time. There may be a queue. Page 10 of 12

11 17. There will be bar areas open outside of the auditorium where you might buy drink and some snacks. 18. When it is nearly time for the show to restart you will hear bells and an announcement to ask you to take your seats. 19. The lights inside will go darker again and the show will restart. 20. At the end of the show, the audience will clap loudly and some people may cheer and shout. You can join in, or if you don t like the noise, you can cover your ears. Page 11 of 12

12 21. When the show has finished, the lights will come back on and you will leave the theatre. There will be lots of people leaving too so it might take some time to get outside. It may be crowded and noisy. We hope you enjoy the show and come back to the theatre again! County Durham DH2 1AN Page 12 of 12