It isn’t easy settling in to a new environment when you have autism.
There’s so many things that I had to take into consideration before even studying at university, let alone an accommodation: the smells, the comfort, the sounds, how the environment fits in with my sensory needs before I’d even moved in.
A friend of mine found Unilife by chance, sending it to me on a discord server after I had been rejected from previous accommodation choice – and at first, I thought it was too good to be true. I was wrong. The first time I walked into the studio, that would eventually become my flat, I knew I had come home.
Every sensory worry that I had previously, washed away as soon as the door was opened and I sat in the window – it was like someone had made a home especially for me, I can relax now.
Me and my autistic brain.
Since I moved in, in early September, decorated my studio to make it more sensory available – putting up posters, photos, postcards and taking joy in the domestic things. I made sure that it could be somewhere where I could come back from classes to recharge, let go of the social norms and sometimes to allow myself to meltdown.
It’s also helped that there is the support of the staff on hand, those who get to know you, offer advice, kindness and make you realise that no matter how old you may be, no matter what need you may have, there are no stupid questions.
By chance, I found the home away from home that only comes once in a blue moon – that allowed an autistic person to spread their wings and enjoy being themselves without reservation.
Happy Autism Awareness Month ☺
