sensory environment

Respect touch, time and space

Autistic people have different needs around touch, time and space. Asking for consent and allowing space and time can make interactions more comfortable and less stressful.

Why this matters

Autistic people have different needs around touch, time and space. For example:

Some people need more time to process information, so they don’t feel rushed.
It can be hard to explain needs, especially with someone new.
Autistic people may show emotions in ways that others misunderstand. This can create confusion and prevent them from getting the help they need.
Touch that feels okay for one person may be uncomfortable for someone else. This may include textures or a touch on their shoulder.
Some autistic people do not use speech or find speaking very hard when stressed.
Businesses that respect space, processing time, and consent create a less stressful experience. This could mean giving people extra time to think, respond and process information.

Respect always involves asking before touching someone. It is also understanding that some people may repeat movements or words to help calm themselves. This is called ‘stimming’.

If an autistic person is upset and you are unsure how to help, ask them. If they don’t respond, make sure they are safe. Reduce noise, lights and distractions. Only speak when necessary, follow their requests when you can, and give them time and space to recover.

What best practice looks like:

Avoid repeating yourself unless asked

Only touch people with warning and consent

Treat belongings as an extension of the person

Provide extra room for the person to move

Remove items that cause discomfort on request (for example, fixtures or tablecloths)

Be aware of draughts and airflow, they can cause things to touch people

Reducing crowding where possible

Move people if it helps them to feel comfortable (for example, seating them near a door or with no one behind them)

Be aware of co-occurring vision, hearing or movement differences, including auditory processing challenges

Make space for movement or stimming without judgement

Give plenty of processing time

Understand that some people need faster service and others need more time

Remember that emotional expressions may look different from what is expected

Example:

The services at a nail salon have just changed, and a regular walks in looking confused. The technician points out where their usual services are on the new service list. They give the customer extra time to decide without asking again and offer a copy of the service list to take home.