Formula 1 and my autistic son – navigating noise, crowds and chaosImage caption, Joshua has always been obsessed with cars – and watching Formula 1 live has long been a dream of hisByBrendon MitchellBBC Sport journalist at SilverstonePublished25 minutes agoAs a group of men force their way past us, a sudden shriek of noise and gust of air stops Joshua in his tracks.He looks at me in momentary panic, freezing on the spot, closing his eyes and placing both hands on his ears. He screams.We are at Silverstone for the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. From start to finish, the day is a true assault on the senses – not least for my nine-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD.I feel guilty he’s become agitated and distressed.But it’s not the din of a 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engine which has caused the alarm. We are standing by the door of a public toilet. One of the men has started to use a hand dryer.I take Joshua by the arm and we walk back towards our spot next to the circuit, where the drivers are just beginning to emerge for the start of qualifying.Despite the roar of world champion Lando Norris’ McLaren in the distance – and the clamour of the vast crowd as he winds up for his first hot lap – Joshua’s breathing is becoming more regular again, his eyes widening and his grip loosening.Why one sound should seem so unbearable, yet the other almost comforting, is difficult to fully articulate or understand – but this is how he experiences life through his autism.Remarkably, race tracks such as Silverstone have become a home from home for my car-loving son.This is how they’ve done it.A unique experience for neurodiverse fansAccording to the National Autistic Society, more than one in 100 people have autism – also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – and there are at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.Joshua is one of 260,000 autistic pupils currently studying in England. Awareness is growing, as is the rate of diagnosis – there was a 787% rise in the number of diagnoses between 1998 and 2018.But autism is complicated.While people with ASD “share differences from non-autistic people” – as the National Autistic Society puts it – they are also “different from each other” and “each autistic person has a unique combination of characteristics”. It is a spectrum.That means catering for everyone comes with its challenges. However, with neurodivergent fans now making up at least 20% of all applications for accessibility tickets, Silverstone has had to adapt.”We’ve almost been on this decade of change,” mentioned Louise Broomhall – head of customer service. “When I first started here we had a very small amount of knowledge and support for it but it’s just grown from strength to strength year on year.”It is so important for us that everybody can attend.”Key to the provision now on offer is a special viewing area exclusively for neurodivergent fans called Copse Triangle. It is a relatively small trackside spot, covered by grass and unspectacular in appearance, but crucially limited in capacity.You can gain access through Silverstone’s Personal Assistance Scheme. Tickets for the British Grand Prix generally go on sale about nine months before the event and, given the restricted numbers and increasing demand, it would be wise to apply early – but it is worth it.Copse Triangle is a space away from the off-track mayhem but with a perfect view of the chaos on it. Here, you are also surrounded by other children and adults who are neurodiverse – and, thankfully, other parents who understand.”Some of the feedback we’ve received from parents is that there’s no judgement within that area,” mentioned Sue Davidson, who acts as accessible champion in the customer service team.”For me to hear that was just wonderful, because everyone is so different. And so many friendships have been made within that area.”Safety car decisive again in confusing end to chaotic race
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