The Party: a virtual experience of autism – 360 film

Summary

The script depicts Layla's sensory and social challenges during her mother's surprise birthday party. Layla, who is on the autism spectrum, experiences an overwhelming sensory overload and struggles to navigate social interactions. Her internal monologue reveals her thoughts and coping mechanisms, such as tapping her head to feel calm. Despite her father's well-intentioned efforts, the party becomes a nightmare for Layla. Her mother's understanding and the promise of no more surprises provide a comforting end to the ordeal, highlighting the importance of recognizing and accommodating individual needs.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Layla experiences sensory overload during a party, finding the noise and crowded environment extremely challenging.
• 🎧 Layla uses headphones as a coping mechanism to manage her sensory sensitivities.
• 👥 Layla feels alienated at social gatherings, as she struggles to connect with others and fit in.
• 👨‍👧 Layla's father tries to encourage her to socialize, but he doesn't fully understand the difficulties she faces.
• 👵 Layla's grandmother shows understanding and acceptance, recognizing her uniqueness without labels.
• 🎂 The surprise party for Layla's mother becomes overwhelming for Layla, leading to a sensory meltdown.
• 🤯 Layla's inner monologue reveals her struggle to process sensory input and her desire to escape the chaos.
• 👩‍👧 Layla's mother provides comfort and understanding, acknowledging the need for support without surprises.
• 🌟 The script highlights the importance of recognizing and accommodating the unique needs of individuals with autism.
• 💬 Voices of girls with autism in the script share their experiences, emphasizing the challenges of social interactions and sensory processing.

Q & A

What is Layla's internal reaction to the party being held at her house?

Layla finds the party to be her worst nightmare, with people invading her space and expecting her to act like them. She feels overwhelmed by the sensory input and the expectation to socialize.

Why does Layla tap her head?

Layla taps her head as a self-soothing mechanism to help her feel calm amidst the sensory overload and chaos of the party.

What does Layla's father expect from her during the party?

Layla's father expects her to socialize and interact with the guests, as he asks her to get some drinks and implies that she should be more outgoing.

How does Layla's mother's arrival affect her during the party?

Layla's mother's arrival triggers a strong emotional response in Layla, who is overwhelmed by the surprise and the sensory chaos of the party, leading her to feel like she needs to escape.

What coping mechanism does Layla use to deal with her sensory sensitivities?

Layla uses a grounding technique where she focuses on '5 things I can see, 4 things I can touch, 3 things I can hear' to help her cope with the sensory overload during the party.

What does Layla's grandmother think about labels and diagnoses?

Layla's grandmother believes that labels and diagnoses are unnecessary fuss and that everyone is unique in their own way, without needing to be categorized.

How does Layla feel about fitting in with other young people at the party?

Layla feels like she doesn't fit in with the other young people and is unsure of how to act or how to interact with them, which adds to her anxiety and discomfort.

What does Layla wish she could have done to avoid the party?

Layla wishes she could have come in fancy dress to the party, as it would have allowed her to avoid being herself and the social pressures that come with it.

How does Layla's mother reassure her after the party?

Layla's mother reassures her by acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and promising that it will get easier for them to help Layla now that they understand her needs better.

What is the significance of the 'surprise' element in the party for Layla?

The surprise element in the party is particularly challenging for Layla due to her sensory sensitivities and the unexpected nature of the event, which amplifies her stress and anxiety.

How do the voices of girls with autism at the end of the script relate to Layla's experience?

The voices of girls with autism reflect similar experiences and challenges faced by Layla, such as sensory overload, the need to practice social interactions, and the struggle to appear neurotypical, which validates Layla's feelings and experiences.