"Please be patient and kind. Visual supports help me communicate and feel included. Small changes can make public places more accessible for everyone."

Matthew is 17 years old and enjoys playing video games, watching train videos and exploring technology. He has a strong interest in transportation and learning about how things work.

Matthew can sometimes find it difficult to communicate verbally, particularly in busy public places where there is lots of information to process at once.

Matthew went to a restaurant with friends.

When it was time to order, staff expected him to make his choice quickly. He found it difficult to read and process the menu and needed extra time to understand the options available.

As people around him became impatient and asked why he was not responding, Matthew began to feel uncomfortable and under pressure.

Situations like this can make Matthew feel:

• Upset

• Nervous

• Isolated

• Alienated

• Embarrassed

• Sad

People often assumed Matthew did not need any additional support.

Staff did not realise how challenging ordering food or processing information can sometimes be, and others did not understand the communication barriers he experiences in everyday situations.

Simple adjustments made a big difference.

Using picture-based menus and visual prompts helped Matthew:

• Feel calmer and more confident

• Communicate his choices more clearly

• Become more independent

• Participate more comfortably in public places