Thinking of going to Pheonix comicon next year

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As you know, I have mild to moderate form of autism, along with ADHD, a learning disability, severe emotional issues, mild mental retardation, chronic separation anxiety (I can't be without my parents or my mom with me at all times. I become panicky and frightened easily). I had great luck at Saboten because I didn't have to worry about lines or that sort.

However, I wanted to try going to pheonix comicon next year. My only concern is that I have massive sensory issues with sound and unexpected touch. I'm not exactly great at waiting in lines nor am I good at ticketed events where they have to have separate tickets for the autograph sessions. I get panicky at these sort of things and I was wondering what I can do to get some good accommodations for these sorts of things.

I'm not really sure what they could do to help me since I know most of the time physically disabilities get better chances. I was just wondering if anyone maybe knows where I can get some sort of form I can fill out for my psychiatrist, stating these needs and whatever. My mom also has to be with me as my caregiver since I can't be left alone or I panic. I would contact the convention itself but I'm not sure if I can provide them enough information to understand my needs. Since most of the time, its harder for me to express either way.

I just need suggestions and I'm not looking for ways to cope while waiting in lines. I mean actual ways of gaining a few restrictions to reduce the amount of panic and stress if I go next year. I am prone to meltdowns if something goes wrong and believe me, its not a pretty thing.

I applaud you for wanting to step out of your comfort zone. Is a major comics convention (their web site says it's spread over five floors of a convention center) the best place to start? Are there some smaller regional conventions you could go to, and work up to the big one? A convention that large would strain anyone, let alone an autistic person. They are huge, sprawling, noisy, and confusing. People run around like crazy, bumping into each other and yelling. This environment would test anyone's mental toughness. I don't know what accommodations are available, since you'd be dealing with the venue, the convention sponsors, the various sub-contractors, event security and health, and so on. I'd say plan to be on your own. Really it is about mental toughness - plan the things you want to accomplish each day, set reasonable limits to what is possible and worthwhile (is it really worth standing in line for eight hours to get ten seconds with Marc Silvestri for an autograph?), and decide you want the outcome enough to put up with the inconveniences. You (and anyone else with you) should also be in good physical shape, since a huge convention will require more than normal endurance as you walk on concrete floors, stand around waiting (plan on everything taking twice as long as it should, and costing five times as much as you'd expect), and eat a different diet (plus staying hydrated if this is in Phoenix).

To me, nothing at a convention of any kind would be worth the hassle of going, but that's my own cost/benefit trade-off.

Well, I've been going to Saboten for a while. This will be my third year going and I honestly LOVE it. My social interaction has improved almost 100% since I have been going. I know the manager and he knows about my disabilities. He is great and a nice guy. I don't wait in lines and I can just walk right into the vendor halls and sit down to wait... UP FRONT. I get right in there. It's great. No tickets no nothing. The voice actors are also very good to me and even extremely understanding too. I love it so much that I go every year.

That's why I wanted to try PCC because it seems like a bigger step. I mean I could do it but its just the changes and stuff that I worry more about. Because Saboten is held at a hotel WITH a convention center. So I can stay at the hotel with my mom and we both walk right down in the early morning to go. The idea of cosplaying is even better because its easier to be someone I'm not even though I'm just in cosplay, It's so much fun and I love it.

I was even reading comments on cosplay.com and there others with asperger syndrome who go to places like anime conventions to cosplay. It's really like therapy for me. Because I love anime with all of my life.

Sounds like you're ready for a challenge, then! You seem to have found something perfect for you to help you grow and expand. I would keep doing it.

I don't know what accommodations are available - never hurts to ask - but you may want to try doing things without the accommodations - go to the smaller convention and practice waiting in line. You already know it won't be bad, because you know what the smaller convention is like. You know they'll make accommodations if you need them, so there's no real risk. Then this will be easier, and you'll want to go to a bigger convention and try it. I am big on taking many small steps, one after the other, instead of big leaps.

As an older guy who has been through the death of many relatives over the past decade, I would deal with the separation anxiety NOW. The sooner you start, the better. Start for small periods of time and live on your own. Pick something and start doing it yourself. Develop lists and ways to cope on your own. Then you can enjoy the time you do have with relatives more, and be prepared for the transition when they're gone.