Logan finds disruption stressful, large groups overwhelm him but because he loves sailing he has learned to deal with change and crowds. When he first started he wouldn’t speak to anyone but now he is much more confident
Autism is a lifelong disability and a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties but being autistic will affect them in different ways.
Autism is often diagnosed alongside other conditions. It's important to support people with more than one condition in a way that meets all their needs, while understanding that the needs arising from autism are distinct.
Autism is one of a number of conditions where a person’s neurodevelopment is different, including Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette’s, Complex Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia.
There are lots of strengths associated with autism that can be very useful in boating. Everyone is an individual of course, but below are some attributes autistic people can have that may benefit their boating.
Of course, some things are more difficult. People may struggle to turn detail into a coherent whole, put plans and words into action and to self-initiate tasks. It takes time and a lot of effort, particularly in relation to:
The way we organise activities for the majority may disable autistic people who engage in a different way and who would benefit from a personalised approach.
Communication is a two way process. Autistic people may have differences with both verbal and non-verbal communication. They may:
All in all, these differences can make it very hard for an autistic person to understand the message someone is trying to communicate, particularly if too many unclear non-verbal hints are used and people do not state things clearly and directly. Communication will take longer.
People with autism say it’s the way others engage with them that makes life difficult. The differences an autistic person experiences may cause them to stand out in social situations and find building relationships, navigating the social world and reading other people difficult, including:
The rules of physical boundaries and touch in boating change depending on a range of factors – for example whether you are ashore or afloat, the size of the boat, the team work needed, the conditions and the task at hand. It can be difficult for an autistic person to navigate this.
Many autistic people describe high levels of anxiety around change – the world can seem unpredictable. For example, where activity takes place, the equipment used, changes in coaches / instructors, or new situations and skills to learn can all be confusing. Routine and structure can help, along with advance notice of change and a clear understanding of the purpose of what they have been asked to do and any rules that need following.
Thinking hypothetically, or imagining situations and considering potential outcomes can be challenging. One result is that making choices can be hard – concrete binary choices are easier. An inability to predict what may happen can impact on a person’s sense of danger.
People describe having intense and highly focused interests which can be fundamental to their wellbeing. They may have a single focus and find it hard to pay attention to multiple things at once.
Differences with social imagination are not the same as a lack of imagination, and many autistic people are highly imaginative. This can lead to over analysing or dramatising a situation.
Anxiety can be triggered by sensory difficulties, by a loss of control, challenging social situations, or new environments. Stress can come from routines being disrupted, people not doing what they said they would, plans and timetables not being followed, not knowing what is going to happen next, getting to new places, trying new situations, new food, or having to wear new clothes and equipment.
It can lead to people physically tensing up, being restless, getting tired, being irritable, edgy, showing aggression or running away.
For most non autistic people, levels of anxiety are low so when something stressful happens anxiety may rise a little but the brain is able to process this and anxiety levels quickly return to normal.
Autistic people describe high levels of anxiety just from the impact of the different ways they experience the world around them, so when they come across a new stress or sensory input, anxiety increases and the brain struggles to process it to the point where it is hard to function properly.
While sailing and boating can help as a release, clearly if the environment is not right it can be a trigger as well.
Many autistic people describe being either over sensitive or under sensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, lights, colours, temperature or pain, often causing reactions that are incomprehensible to others. Too much or too little information can cause stress and anxiety. People may be fascinated by particular sensory stimuli. Self-stimulating behaviour such as repetitive movements or sounds can be used by the person to manage under or over stimulation, or their anxiety, and so are really important to them.
Equally, what is going on inside a person’s body may be harder to interpret for an autistic person – am I nervous or excited, hungry or thirsty, do I feel unwell, am I in pain, am I cold or hot?
The table below shows how this may impact on a person
Sense |
Function |
Over sensitive |
Under sensitive |
Touch |
Assess various conditions, the feel of the boat. Recognise and feel pain. |
Can be painful Dislike having things on their hands and feet Only tolerate certain types of clothing |
Hold objects or others tightly A high pain threshold Chew objects Enjoy heavy objects on top of them |
Sight |
Defining parts of the boat and the controls Identifying people Judging distance and space around the boat. |
Objects, bright coloured walls and bright lights may jump around Images fragment Easier to focus on detail Difficulty sleeping |
Objects appear quite dark or lose features. Some things may be magnified, others blurred. Poor depth perception. Clumsiness. |
Sound |
Communicate with people around you Assess the environment Supports balance. |
Hard to filter out noises and focus on what is being said Sounds may be distorted or muddled |
Seeks noisy places or objects / actions that make loud sounds |
Taste |
Meals are an important social time and food fuels us |
Flavours are too strong, so limits a diet |
Prefers strong flavours and spices May try to taste non-edible items |
Smell |
Assessing the environment Alerting us to danger |
Overwhelmed by every day smells and tries to avoid them Misses out on smells that alerts us to danger |
Seeks out strong smells Misses out on smells that alerts us to danger
|
Body awareness |
Assessing where our bodies are in relation to the boat and how different parts of the body are moving |
Fine and gross motor skills are harder May need to move their whole body to look at something |
Stand too close to others, struggle to recognise personal space Hard to avoid obstructions around the venue or boat Can bump into others |
Balance |
Maintaining posture in the boat Assessing how fast our bodies move Keeping our body in the right place to perform tasks |
Hard to control movement, to stop quickly Even harder if the head is not upright and feet are off the ground |
May need to move to get enough sensory input – rock, swing or spin |
Taking the time to get to know the person, what is important to them, and for them is key
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