How I prepare before going to an unfamiliar place

27 December 2023

Going to a new and unfamiliar place can be anxiety-inducing for Autistics. Here’s what I do to reduce that anxiety.

Directions

I use Google Maps to figure out how to get there.

I search for YouTube videos of the place and watch them to familiarise myself with what the place looks like.

If there are no videos available, I search for images or use Street View in Google Maps.

If I’m going to a restaurant/cafe, I search for the menu online and see what I can eat there.

If I find an interesting dish but am unsure of its ingredients, I google that dish.

I pack my bag with aids that I think I’ll need (e.g. ear plugs, sunglasses, stim toys).

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