One man, named Dave, took to Twitter to share his heartwarming experience at the Arsenal game with his son.
This was the first UK football game that his son had been to, since he has autism and usually doesn’t like to go to places that have a lot of people. While they were there, his son was having a hard time, since there was 50,000 people shouting around him.
When things didn’t get better, Dave decided to leave with his son halfway through the first half. But thanks to staff’s generosity, the father and son didn’t have to leave after all.
When they were leaving the stadium, a staff member asked why they were leaving. After Dave explained his son’s situation to her, she contacted someone and then led them to club level.
It turns out that the stadium has sensory rooms, and the dad and son duo were able to watch the rest of the match in peace. There was even staff in the room, working to make sure that everywhere there had everything that they needed.
I could see he wasn’t going to get used to it so we had to leave. When we left the stadium, a steward (blonde lady, wish i got her name), asked why we were leaving and I told her. She asked me to hold on and contacted someone else. Next thing I know, we’re being walked towards >
— Dave (@TheresYourDC) October 27, 2021
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If a person at a game is experiencing sensory-overload, a sensory room gives them a safe place to watch the game without having to hear all the noise. People with autism are sometimes more sensitive to certain sounds, and sensory overload makes crowds hard to deal with. That’s why sensory rooms are the perfect place for them to be able to enjoy games, while giving them a break from the large crowds that attend sporting events.
Dave tweeted Arsenal, thanking them for their kindness toward his son, and they responded, “We are so glad we were able to help you and your son last night, Dave. It’s our pleasure. At Arsenal, we are incredibly proud of our sensory room…”
We are so glad we were able to help you and your son last night, Dave. It’s our pleasure.
At Arsenal, we are incredibly proud of our sensory room and Luke absolutely loved meeting you guys! 👋❤️ pic.twitter.com/xpbjblSvy8
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2021
“Arsenal are passionate about improving stadium facilities for people with sensory processing needs such as Autism, and the opening of our Sensory Room and Sensory Sensitive viewing room in September 2017 has supported many fans to be able to attend matches at The Emirates Stadium,” the team wrote on its website.
“The facility incorporates a match viewing room which has measures in place to create a safe, calm and comfortable environment with reduced sensory stimuli to experience matches as well as a separate Sensory Room which comprises of a range of specialist equipment which supporters can transition between as needed, all managed by specially appointed staff.”
Source: The Autism Site Blog
