Inform issue 26 – Summer 2019

Your health
informonline.org.au
25
Everyday environments where sensory
overload is more likely to occur include
shopping centres, cinemas, festivals, public
transport, noisy cafes and even busy roads.
Some sectors are becoming more aware of
sensory overload, and are starting to create
safe spaces to become more inclusive for
people with differing sensory needs.
The below list is by no means exhaustive –
these are just some examples of businesses
doing good work with safe spaces for
sensory overload. You can look online for
programs running in your local area, and if
you can’t find any why not take the first step
and make a proposal for a program you’d
like to see run near you?
Shopping
With their harsh lighting, banging trolleys
and beeping machines, supermarkets can
be a big ask for someone who suffers from
sensory overload. Coles Supermarkets
has partnered with Autism Spectrum
Australia (Aspect) to run a sensory overload
friendly ‘Quiet Hour’ every Tuesday from
10.30–11.30am across a number of its stores
nationally. During Quiet Hour the lighting is
dimmed, and noise is reduced by ensuring
that shelf-restocking carts are removed
from the shop floor, and beeps on checkout
machines are turned off. You can find a
participating store by visiting the Coles
website. The Good Guys is running a similar
initiative, and the concept is beginning to
catch on with other retailers.
Some shopping centres, for example the
Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne,
are creating sensory safe spaces for
shoppers who need some down time. These
are quiet rooms with gentle lighting and soft
fittings to give shoppers or their children
some time out to reset and relax before
continuing with their shopping.
These quiet rooms with gentle
lighting and soft fittings are
designed to give shoppers or
their children some time out
to reset and relax
Driving
Drive Smart Driving School in Adelaide has
partnered with Autism SA to train staff to run
programs specifically for teaching learner
drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, to
help them to become safe, independent
drivers.
Hairdressers
There are a number of hairdressers who
specialise in giving haircuts to children and
adults who find the experience of getting a
haircut overwhelming. Giggle and Scissors
are a mobile Brisbane based company.
Shear Abilities salon in Maitland offers a
friendly and inclusive space.
Cinemas
Some cinemas run sensory-friendly sessions,
which include dimmed lighting and lowered
volume, and no judgement for getting up
and moving around during the film. Event
Cinemas and Village Cinemas both run
sensory-friendly sessions, so check out their
websites to find a session near you.
Sensory overload can be debilitating, but
initiatives like those mentioned can help to
make everyday activities bearable, and for
some, possible for the first time. It is always
worth encouraging your local businesses
and councils to look at the success of these
programs in other areas and to consider
doing something similar, so we can all enjoy
being out in the world.