With large crowds and so much to do and see at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show, attending the event can seem overwhelming and challenging for some families with neurodivergent people or with particular accessibility needs.

To help everyone have a great experience at the Show, Lutheran Care is sharing some tips from our Elcies Allied Health and Disability Service, and Families and Relationships teams, which may assist families with planning their day.

Our top tips for families and people with neurodiversity, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and/or people with a disability, are:

• Have a general plan for your day and spend some time discussing what that is with your family before you arrive. This could sound like ‘first we will ride three rides, then we will have some lunch, then we will go to buy our show bags’.
• Plan to include some quiet time and space to relax away from the hustle and bustle, where you can retreat to if things get too noisy and busy. This could be by bringing noise cancellation headphones, earplugs or devices. This could be the lawn area, or a quieter pavilion for some shelter. You can also move to the southern end of the Showgrounds, particularly the livestock areas, as these tend to be quieter. Mornings tend to be quieter at the show than the busy lunchtime period or afternoons/evenings, generally.
• When you’re planning, check out the great information on the show website about catering for visitors’ sensory and accessibility needs. For example, did you know there is a new ferris wheel at this year’s show, which can cater for wheelchair users? Also, there is a Carnival Quiet Hour, set for 9.30am to 10.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, which will see carnival operators turning off their music, strobes and lights so the space in this period can be more accessible for people with additional needs. Additionally, some Communication Boards will be available at this year’s event.
• Plan breaks, meals, snacks and things to take. You could do this by creating a social story or making a list. Be sure to have the whole family involved. It might include how you will get there, where you will park and what time you will be leaving.
  Don’t try and fit everything in! It’s a busy day and one you want to enjoy. What is at least one thing each person attending wants to do or see?
• Have your children research the showbags ahead of time if they are allowed to get one. This may reduce any anxiety of having to make a decision in the busy showbag hall.
• Have a backup plan in case important plans don’t work out. This could sound like ‘I know you really want the Pokémon showbag, that’s your first choice. I would like you to have a second choice in case we can’t get that one. How about the Spiderman showbag’?
• Take advantage of the armbands handed out at the ticket box. Here you can add a name, phone number and any important information in case anyone is separated from your group. Agree on a designated meeting spot that is easy to find, such as the Ferris wheel, in case anyone is separated from your group.

Remember you know yourself and your family best. What will work for one family, might look different for another.

You can find detailed information about accessibility, including car parking, toilets, wheelchair viewing areas and other facilities for people with a disability on the show website.

You might also like to check out Lutheran Care’s Financial Counselling team’s top tips for a great day out at the show on a budget.

Lutheran Care runs a number of services and programs for people with neurodiversity and/or a disability, including:

• Elcies Positive Behaviour Support, Psychology & Speech Pathology services
• Family Zone Neurodiversity Support Group and parenting programs.