“I feel sensory discomfort most of my life and this reduces as soon as I'm outdoors”: Autistic adults’ sensory experiences of engaging with nature

Background:Autistic people commonly find sensory environments to be unsupportive or outright disabling. Nature spaces, such as parks and woodlands, are more sensory enabling environments for Autistic people and there are an increasing number of nature-based education and social/therapeutic care offerings. However, nature spaces still pose sensory challenges and there is limited empirical exploration focused specifically on the sensory experiences of Autistic adults in nature spaces. Methods:We conducted the first study to comprehensively examine Autistic adults’ (n = 113) self-reported sensory experiences of engaging with nature, using an original online mixed-methods survey.Results:The most frequently reported type of nature engagement by participants was spending time outdoors in nature; the majority of participants spent 1 – 5 hours per week engaging with nature and were satisfied with the amount of time they spend engaging with nature. Participants who were more sensory hyperresponsive and sensory seeking also experienced nature spaces as more sensory disabling. Using reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative survey responses (n = 107), we developed three themes to reflect the sensory experiences of this group of participants in nature spaces: 1) sensory regulation and restoration; 2) escape from overwhelming humans and environments; and 3) shattering the connection with nature. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that Autistic adults find nature spaces to be regulatory and restorative sensory environments that they can escape to. These findings also add novel detail to elucidate the challenges that can be encountered. This has significance for the design of nature spaces and outdoor programs that consider autistic adults' sensory experiences, promoting their well-being, inclusion, and access to nature. It calls for more inclusive practices in healthcare, environmental planning, and community engagement. By recognising and supporting diverse sensory needs, stakeholders can create environments where autistic individuals feel empowered to connect with the natural world.