Ms Jessica Doyle:

I am probably repeating what others have said. Rather than thinking of specific areas where autistic people are present, it is probably more important to think that autistic people are present in all areas and in all contexts of life. We are everywhere. We think a great deal about transition, and transitioning from primary school to secondary school, or from secondary school out to college. We also need to think about all of the other transitions, such as becoming a parent, going into work or going into retirement. It is very important that we think about all of the different transitions in a full lifespan - which may not be the right word - or throughout life.

On the sensory overload issue, it is important to build more awareness that autistic people have different perceptions from those of neurotypical people. While neurotypical people might habituate to sensory environments and get used to them over time, autistic people do not necessarily do that. These environments can be of the same intensity and pain over time. There is a need to build more awareness and acceptance of the difference, which is just as valid, in a neuro-affirmative way.