Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People is a transformative guide designed to help organizations become truly inclusive for autistic community members. Authored by experienced autistic educators, this booklet offers invaluable insights drawn from personal experiences and professional guidance on building affirming groups. The importance of safe spaces cannot be overstated; they allow autistic individuals to thrive and connect with their communities.

This guide outlines key principles, values, and approaches necessary for cultivating a safe environment for autistic individuals. It serves as a resource for both identifying and non-identifying autistic people, supporting the development of groups across various settings. Whether it’s lunch clubs, interest-based groups, community events, play groups, library activities, or even online gatherings, this booklet has got you covered.

Moreover, it is relevant for educational institutions, healthcare services, and therapists aiming to create supportive environments for autistic individuals. The booklet provides guidelines to lay the foundations of your group and emphasizes the importance of equipping staff and volunteers with the knowledge needed to meet participants’ diverse needs.

Accessibility is a key theme woven throughout the guide. It identifies various areas to consider, ensuring ongoing accessibility for all participants. The goal is to empower autistic individuals to join and maintain participation in groups as they desire. Additionally, the guide includes discussions on supporting individuals with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), those experiencing distress, and the intersections within the community.

To enrich the content, the booklet features insights and reflections from a variety of educators, professionals, and advocates. Their experiences provide additional ideas and highlight the significance of community connection. This collaborative approach ensures that the guide remains relevant and practical.

We aspire for each reader to glean meaningful strategies to create environments where autistic participants feel welcomed, validated, and comfortable engaging. Our commitment is to provide tools that foster true inclusivity.

It’s important to note that both versions contain the same valuable content; therefore, purchasing both is unnecessary. Choose the version that best meets your needs. Additionally, we opted for standard colour print to ensure financial accessibility for all readers.

Feedback from our readers has been overwhelmingly positive:

“This is such a valuable resource for educators, for anybody working within the autistic & neurodivergent community, to hear the autistic voice, to ensure that spaces do feel safe and secure because if they don’t, we are unable to engage, to facilitate and to use whatever is being offered.” – Nicola Reekie, The PDA Space

“Woah…. super impressed at the phenomenal work and love Laura and Scott have poured into this vitally important guide! Listening to, and understanding Autistic lived experience – and working in a trauma informed approach – are all key to creating authentically safe, supporting spaces for Autistic people, and their families.” – The Autistic Collective

“Wow it’s so comprehensive – you two have thought of everything. It’s an amazing resource.” – Evaleen Whelton, AUsome Training

In conclusion, Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People is not just a guide; it’s a blueprint for fostering inclusion and understanding in various settings. By implementing the strategies outlined within, organizations can make significant strides towards creating environments where autistic individuals feel safe, respected, and valued.