Autism Reality Experience

13/02/2026

Another successful day at

Elsenham C. of E. Primary School Bishop's Stortford

On Thursday, the Autism Reality Experience Bus visited our school and parents and teachers were able to experience what it might feel like to have autism.

As we entered the bus we were asked to wear special glasses and gloves. We then watched a short video which was very uncomfortable to our ears. We heard amplified noises of the scraping of a chair on the floor, the tapping of a pen, the ringing of a bell and the sounds of voices. All the time we saw lights flashing. Afterwards we had to complete 3 simple instructions we were given during the video.

Following the instructions was impossible. We were left feeling very disorientated and overwhelmed. It was a very emotional, powerful and eye opening experience of how a child with autism might struggle with sensory overwhelm.

12/02/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/safespaces_neurodiversity-safespaces-activity-7427398561056681984-oPq_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACCiiD4Bn2Xwv3cQva5uA9u7q2C59OoJP1I

Today, Safespaces had the opportunity to take part in The Autism Reality Experience (ARE) provided by TRAINING 2 CARE (UK) LIMITED — an innovative, immersive and hands-on training designed to help neurotypical people step into the neurodiverse world. The ARE challenges “normal” thinking and di...

10/02/2026

Don't miss out

Autism Reality Experience
Parenting Monaghan are hosting a Neurodiversity Experience at Castleblayney Library on Monday 23rd February.

The event will feature the Autism Experience Bus, giving a sensory simulation of what daily life can feel like for autistic individuals.
This is a practical, hands-on experience for parents/carers.
A morning not to be missed!

Venue: Castleblayney Library
Date: Monday 23rd February 2026.
Time:
Morning Session- FULLY BOOKED
10:00 – 11:15 Experience
11:15 – 11:30 Break
11:30 – 13:00 Debrief

Afternoon Session - FULLY BOOKED
13:30 – 14:45 Experience
14:45 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 16:30 Debrief

To express your interest email:
ntavey@midl.ie

Monaghan Integrated Development CLG
Child and Family Agency - Tusla
Castleblayney Library
Monaghan County Libraries
Monaghan CYPSC
National Childhood Network
Healthy Ireland
Lifestart Monaghan & Cavan
Monaghan County Childcare Committee
Monaghan County Council
HSE Ireland

06/02/2026

The Autism Reality Experience offers an innovative and immersive training opportunity for neurotypical individuals to step into the neurodiverse world. Through hands-on experiences, participants gain insight into the sensory processing challenges encountered by individuals on the autism spectrum. A unique opportunity to foster understanding, inclusivity and most importantly empathy.

Book your space today, amazing experience and debrief

03/02/2026

SEE YOUR SCHOOL THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES
Staff Feedback from the Autism Reality Experience

Schools across Essex describe this immersive training as eye-opening, impactful, and practice-changing. Here’s what education professionals said after taking part:

Feedback from Essex Schools

💬 What Staff Are Saying

“Incredibly impactful.”
Staff reported a genuine shift in perspective, gaining insight into what the school day can feel like for an autistic child. Many now feel better equipped to support pupils and are already adapting classroom environments to reduce sensory overload.

Feedback from Essex Schools

“A real understanding of sensory overload.”
Participants described feelings of disorientation, frustration, and overwhelm during the simulation — leading to deeper empathy and a stronger awareness of how difficult everyday school tasks can be under sensory stress.

Feedback from Essex Schools

“This will change our practice.”
Staff highlighted practical outcomes, including:
• Recognising early signs of dysregulation
• Adjusting communication style
• Reducing unnecessary demands
• Providing clearer structure
• Creating calmer, less overstimulating environments

Feedback from Essex Schools

“Thought-provoking and discussion-driving.”
Schools reported ongoing professional dialogue after the experience, with teams reflecting on teaching approaches, classroom setup, and whole-school inclusion.

Feedback from Essex Schools

“Parents found it just as valuable.”
Where parents attended, feedback showed the experience helped them better understand their child’s daily challenges and appreciate the school’s inclusive approach.

Feedback from Essex Schools

🎓 Impact in Schools

After the training, schools report:

✔ Increased staff empathy and awareness
✔ Immediate classroom adaptations
✔ Greater understanding of processing and communication differences
✔ More inclusive learning environments
✔ Strong professional reflection across teams

Several staff described the experience as “profound,” “enlightening,” and something every educator should do.”

Feedback from Essex Schools

Immersive. Experiential. Practice-Changing.

Give your staff insight that goes beyond theory — and leads to meaningful change for autistic pupils.

21/01/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/south-east-essex-academy-trust_this-week-the-westborough-school-hosted-activity-7417866093148598272-RyY1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACCiiD4Bn2Xwv3cQva5uA9u7q2C59OoJP1I

This week, The Westborough School hosted the Autism Reality Experience, A whole‑body experience developed over four years with autistic people, including input from the National Autistic Society. Using specialist equipment, it alters your sensory perception and exposes you to multiple sensory chal...

20/01/2026

Don't miss out

13/01/2026

As we dive into the new year, let’s move beyond resolutions that focus only on ourselves and commit to something that benefits everyone:
greater understanding of autism.

Autism is not something to be “fixed.”
It is a different way of experiencing, processing, and engaging with the world. When we invest in education, awareness, and inclusion, we create environments where autistic individuals are not just accommodated—but valued.

The Autism Reality Experience is the way to do this.
Through immersive, educational experiences, we can build empathy, awareness, and meaningful understanding that leads to real change.

This year, let’s choose:
• Understanding over assumptions
• Inclusion over exclusion
• Awareness over ignorance

A new year is an opportunity to grow—not just personally, but collectively.

For further information message below or email info@traininng2care.co.uk

19/12/2025

18/12/2025

No matter the industry you work in or the title you hold, understanding autism matters 💙 Autism affects individuals, families, workplaces, and communities every day — and the more we understand, the better we can support one another.

The Autism Reality Experience offers a powerful, immersive opportunity to better understand the daily experiences of autistic individuals 👂👀 It goes beyond awareness and helps build genuine empathy, understanding, and meaningful change.

Whether you are a parent, educator, business owner, professional, or community member, this experience can open minds, shift perspectives, and inspire more inclusive spaces for everyone 🤝🌍

✨ Take the next step. Learn more, participate, or bring the Autism Reality Experience to your organisation or community. Understanding starts with experience. ✨

Hashtags (Facebook-optimized):
💙

If you would like further information message below or email info@training2care.co.uk

12/12/2025

🌟 Another successful day delivering the Autism Reality Experience with Tesco Customer Engagement Centre Dundee 🌟

The feedback from colleagues who took part was incredibly powerful. 💬
Staff shared that completing the Autism Reality Experience gave them a deeper understanding of the sensory and communication barriers faced by autistic individuals. Many reflected on how overwhelming everyday environments can feel and how the simulation reinforced the importance of empathy, patience, and clear communication 🤝. It also highlighted that regulation can take time, and that coping strategies such as stimming are essential for self-management.

Several colleagues noted that even within the short time spent in the experience, they recognised moments where they themselves felt overwhelmed in busy and noisy environments 🔊. They acknowledged that while they may recover quickly, autistic individuals may need longer to regulate — reinforcing the importance of flexibility, understanding, and patience when supporting others 💙.

Feedback like this shows the real impact of experiential learning in helping to build more inclusive, supportive, and neurodiversity-aware workplaces 🌈.

09/12/2025

HMP Barlinnie staff take part in Autism Reality Experience

Over 70 staff within HMP Barlinnie have taken part in an immersive ‘Autism Reality Experience’, giving them a unique insight into the sensory processing challenges encountered by individuals on the autism spectrum.

During the sessions, staff felt the impact of hypersensitivity to the sensory environment, difficulty processing language and instructions, and being in an environment that doesn’t account for your needs.

The experience is designed so that participants can get a sense of the range of emotions an autistic person can feel including fear, vulnerability, frustration and anxiety.

The scenarios were all tailored towards the prison environment, giving our staff a relevant, real-world understanding of how people in our care experience everyday life. From this, they could think about how they might modify their approach or actions going forward.

If your establishment is interested in arranging a similar training session, please visit: Home - ARE


Feedback from staff in Barlinnie:
“It was such a great way to explain what someone with autism may go through when coming into prison. Reading something is helpful but experiencing it, like we did, has a much greater impact.”
"
This experience taught me how overwhelming sensory input can be and has given me a much deeper appreciation for the effort autistic people may need to put into everyday tasks. It reminded me that we need to be so much more patient and understanding and it’s on all of us to create an inclusive environment.”