Autism Reality Experience

The Autism Reality Experience is an innovative, immersive and hands on training which has been developed to give neurotypical people an opportunity to enter the neurodiverse world and experience the sensory processing difficulties faced by people on the autism spectrum. 

The Autism Reality Experience: See the World Differently

The Autism Reality Experience (ARE) is unlike any other training. It challenges conventional thinking and immerses you in a powerful simulation that reveals how overwhelming and confusing the world can be for someone who is neurodivergent.

Using specially developed sensory-altering equipment, participants experience firsthand what it feels like to struggle with communication, sensory overload, and the challenges of navigating everyday environments. From heightened sensitivity to noise and lights to difficulty processing instructions or coping in unfamiliar situations, the experience is designed to shift perspectives and deepen understanding.

Following the simulation, participants engage in a guided debrief session to reflect on the experience and identify actionable steps for creating more inclusive, supportive environments—at home, work, or in the community.

The ARE is fully customizable, with a library of immersive environments including:

  • Home
  • School
  • Supermarket
  • Airport
  • Dentist
  • Hospital
  • Police
  • Bus
  • Prison
  • Fire training center and home settings

Benefits of the Autism Reality Experience

At Home

  • Build Stronger Family Connections: Understand your loved one’s needs in a more personal and compassionate way.
  • Improve Communication: Learn how to simplify language and instructions for better interactions.
  • Reduce Frustration: Gain insight into triggers and how to minimize sensory overload.
  • Create a Calmer Environment: Discover easy changes that make home life more comfortable for everyone.

At Work

    • Enhance Workplace Inclusion: Learn how to better support neurodivergent employees and customers.
    • Improve Staff Training: Equip your team with practical strategies to engage with empathy and effectiveness.
    • Reduce Miscommunication: Understand the barriers autistic individuals may face in the workplace.
    • Foster a Supportive Culture: Lead the way in creating a more accepting and productive work environment.

In the Community

    • Increase Public Understanding: Promote greater empathy among first responders, volunteers, and service providers.
    • Improve Accessibility: Learn how to create welcoming environments in schools, hospitals, transportation, and public spaces.
    • Support Safer Interactions: Help law enforcement and emergency services respond more appropriately to neurodivergent individuals.
    • Strengthen Community Relationships: Build a culture of acceptance, awareness, and support for all.

Glenn Knight: Driving Empathy and Innovation Through the Autism Reality Experience

Glenn Knight is the CEO of Training 2 CARE, one of the UK’s largest care-specific training providers. With over 160 specialized courses in their portfolio, Glenn’s team leads the way in immersive education that transforms understanding in healthcare, education, and community services. As proud UK partners of Second Wind Dreams®, they are also the exclusive European provider of the Autism Reality Experience (ARE)—a powerful, life-changing training designed to build empathy and create inclusive environments for those living with autism.

Glenn shares, “Autism is often misunderstood, and those who live with it are frequently overlooked when it comes to how environments and communication affect their daily lives. We must remain open to change and prioritize training that reflects real-life challenges and fosters true understanding. The Autism Reality Experience gives participants a rare opportunity to feel what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes—if only for a few minutes. That moment of empathy can change everything.”

Glenn’s passion lies in creating life-adjusting experiences that don’t just educate—they inspire action. The ARE uses evidence-based, sensory-altering tools to simulate what autistic individuals may experience, revealing how overwhelming everyday settings can become without proper support.

“We believe in giving a voice to individuals on the autism spectrum and to the educators, caregivers, and professionals who are ready to make a difference. The Autism Reality Experience bridges that gap and starts important conversations about inclusion, accessibility, and respect.”

Glenn is committed to building a more inclusive world—one training, one conversation, and one act of understanding at a time.

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ARE White Paper