So it's all in the subject...
All of the planning that went into my birthday party made it fun and safe! I'm please to report back that while there were lots of people and many sensory inputs, I made it through without going into complete sensory overload and retreating.
From all reports I've heard everyone else had fun too (which is fantastic!)
I'd say the timetable/schedule was a Godsend! Every time I wasn't sure what to do or say I leaned on the schedule a little. Another positive about the schedule is there would have been enough activities to keep us going for another couple of hours. By the endof the party we were rushing to get everything eaten etc before driving down to the ice-rink.
Unfortunately at the ice skating rink one friend injured themselves in the first 5 minutes. =( Alas... The ice was pretty torn up and dodgy for most of the evening which was a bit disappointing...
I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped at the party, but the biggest thank you goes to one of my very NT friends who gave me a lot of feedback on my socialising at the party and how far I have come since being diagnosed as autistic and engaging in social skills development etc. It was great to hear from someone who knew me well before diagnosis how much of a difference there is now!
So here's to a wonderful party!
Of course, I was exhasuted afterwards, but it's hard to tell how much of that was from the party and how much was because I came down with swine flu immediately after!
