Otis has been involved in Autspaces since 2019, working to learn more about autistic people's experiences in public spaces. Here, he shares some of the challenges he faces, as well as how he's working to create positive change.

Not many people enjoy going food shopping. Going to a supermarket can be overwhelming and exhausting, even if you don’t have sensory differences. The beeps of the checkout, the brightly coloured packaging competing for your attention, and the confusing layouts that make it hard to find what you need.

I’m very sensitive to lighting and loud noises so supermarkets can feel especially stressful. The environment isn’t autism-friendly. The lights are bright, it’s noisy and there are too many people during busy times, making it feel squashed.

I wish I could avoid going completely, but I do the food shop for my mum. She has anxiety and doesn’t like going out, so I force myself to go.

I feel on edge when I’m in the shop, and try to get through the experience as swiftly as possible. I’m aware of being constantly watched by security, unable to read their body language. I feel observed and stereotyped.

There’s a lot that supermarkets could do differently to be more sensory-inclusive. I find myself wishing the lights weren’t as bright, or they would do more to minimise the sound, or even offer a quiet space for people who need it.

I’d want public spaces to be more inclusive for people with sensory differences. That’s why I got involved with Autspaces.

Autspaces is a research project that explores how people with sensory differences experience the world. It’s a partnership with Autistica and The Alan Turing Institute. The project consists of volunteers both autistic and non-autistic people to help initiate a platform for autistic people to share their experiences. It is a low-key, participatory project where others share their ideas about ways that can contribute and make a positive difference to autistic people. Even the platform is being built with citizen science, working together as a community.

Autspaces has four goals:

• Collect stories of autistic people and their supporters about how sensory differences affect their daily lives.
• Share: Create an autism-first online environment where autistic people can share their experiences, so people can learn from each other’s insights.
• Educate non-autistic people about autistic people’s experiences so they can be better supporters of autistic people, increasing understanding and reducing stigma.
• Change: Use data from the platform to inform policy and people who design and build environments to make them more accommodating for autistic people.

I found out about Autspaces in 2019 through Georgia, who works on the project. She was talking about the project at a Pint of Science event. I wanted to try something new and different, so I asked if I could contribute. I’m a key contributor on the project as an expert by experience. I attend monthly meetings and share my views and experiences to help shape the direction of the research.

A highlight for me was speaking about my involvement in two webinars, one for Autspaces and one for Autistica.

Projects like Autspaces wouldn’t work without the involvement of autistic people. The researchers won’t be able to collect such relevant or important information on how things can improve, or actions we can work towards for more inclusive spaces.

There is no pressure or force for autistic people to get involved in research. But we have a lot to offer to help researchers with different ideas and viewpoints. If you would like to get involved, getting emails as part of the Autistica Network is a good place to start.

I’m excited to see the progress of the project, as it continues to work towards creating a space for autistic people, and I’m proud to play my part in it.