We know just about as well as anybody else. To those of us on the Spectrum, it can mean a broad range of things, and on any given day “friendly” could be sensed entirely differently. (IOW- “the sound of those lightbulbs drove me crazy yesterday, but today it’s not so bad…”)
There are no “Sensory-Friendly Specifications” in our culture and society – yet. The Musical Autist follows suit with Autism Society of America, in their guidelines to what constitutes a Sensory-Friendly Film.
Our local ASA chapter even donated us a basket of noise-reduction headphones for our Sensory-Friendly Concerts!
Volume, lighting, space, tolerance, patience, respect = ACCOMMODATIONS.
Music ministers to the soul. Neural pathways make connections when stimulated by vibroacoustic frequencies.
What if the sounds overload the sensory system?
What if the emotion of being in a socially tolerant atmosphere brings one to tears – or perhaps just some extra hand flaps?
These are some of our goals, in creating prototype Sensory-Friendly Concerts.
There are so many autism non-profit organizations out there who work on a national levels – seems like most, in fact. Big organizations serve good purposes.
But it’s also important to remember that local COMMUNITY is vital to society.
Let self-sustaining community continue to thrive in autistic culture.
We’re keepin’ it local…..follow our philosophies and experiences and make Sensory-Friendly Concerts happen in your own community.
Musical Autists everywhere will thank you.
Equal Rights to the Fine Arts
~!! Go Neurodiversity Go !!~
Having had the opportunity to see these concerts first hand and see the impact that they have on those in the audience as well as those musicians who bring us fantastic music, they are worth the time and effort. They serve a need to our local community on the spectrum and those who desire the fine arts in their life.
Thank you for all you do in making these Sensory-Friendly Concerts happen!
Jim McDermott