10 Tips for Building an Autism Inclusive Table

I recently got an ask on how to find an autism friendly D&D game, and while I was able to give some tips, it hit me that there needs to be more information on how to actually create an autism friendly game. I've written previously about supporting autistics at the TTRPG table, but I want to highlight how not just to support your autistic players, but how to create a table culture that is welcoming to autistics by design. It should be noted that if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person, but hopefully these tips will help you create a table that's welcoming to autistic players looking for an autism friendly game.

1. Understand autism. A lot of people think autism is just social awkwardness, or having significant support needs, but the reality is that the autism spectrum encompasses a huge diversity of individuals. That being said, understanding what autism is and some of the common ways it manifests is important for a number of reasons- both accommodating and normalizing autistic communication and behaviors, and understanding what is not an autistic behavior. For example, someone excusing someone for going on a racist tirade because they're autistic is not ok- that's racism, not autism. There is a difference.
2. Building agency in session 0. This is really important, as many autistics struggle with boundaries that may be overly rigid or too flexible. Identifying what the nature of the game is, what the general structure is, and then giving the players a lot of ability to build their own ideas about where the fun lies for them is important. An autistic player may say they would prefer more dungeon crawling, as that's easier for them than heavy role playing, so including more dungeon crawls may be a great way to help them feel welcome at the table. However, if they are stating that they do not want any combat mechanics in a game that is very heavily combat focused, that might indicate that this might not be the right table for them.
3. Help them find the right GM. If you are not the right GM for them, help them identify what sort of game they are seeking. A lot of autistic players that burn out of games that weren't a good fit end up burnt out on the whole thing, so helping them have a soft landing where they can look for more appropriate games can be a real boon.
4. Help them build player skills. A lot of new players in TTRPGs are not very good at playing TTRPGs, and that's fine. They might not know how to roleplay, might struggle with the rules, or might have a hard time getting into the flow of things. Being patient and giving them clear guidance on things to work on, without being condescending, can help.
5. Lean into the other players to build community. It's not just your job as a GM to help create a welcoming table. Everyone should be helping, and it's part of your job as a GM to build that table culture. It can be something as simple as asking one of the other players to help with keeping tabs on spell slots, or supporting them in RP scenes, etc.
6. Supporting access needs. Again, many people think of autism as just being a social condition, but there are other aspects to be wary of- including sensory differences, routine needs, stimming, etc. Understanding that a player may need to step away from time to time to self regulate, might rock at the table, or may have a hard time speaking at times can be important. However, it's important to focus on Access, not Exclusion. If a player's access to the table is regularly interrupted by them getting their autistic needs met, they are not really having access. Instead, get creative with ways to help them be at the table as much as they'd like. This might mean having them able to access the game remotely on occasion, relocating to a quieter gaming space, etc. Be flexible, solutions focused, patient, and kind.
7. Check in. Make sure all your players are doing well, including your autistic players. Regularly ask them if there's anything they need, or anything that is particularly fun for them. Helping them identify what they enjoy is just as important as what to avoid.
8. Clear table rules and expectations. Ensuring that they know what is expected of them is incredibly important, especially early on, as this may help them identify if they feel like this is the right table for them. For example, if you are playing a very RP heavy campaign, and they do not enjoy RP, making that very clear right off the bat is important. Also, understanding the social norms, table rules, and expectations is critical, as many autistics struggle with invisible or poorly defined rules. So make it clear the expectations of being a player at your table- this might mean not cutting people off, no PVP, no overwriting the GM's lore/making stuff up on the fly, sharing the spotlight, no torture/adult content, ensuring your character sheet is correct, etc. While session 0 is important for this, if a player is joining an existing campaign, having a good understanding of the table culture is important.
9. Give them opportunities to shine. Figure out what every player is good at or enjoys, and give them those moments where they can really shine. It can help to give autistic players a bit of a heads up to look out for something. In turn, create situations that are challenging for them, but in a way that's fun. For example, if a player loves combat, giving the party a particularly difficult boss fight might be a great time to let them show off. A lot of autistics struggle with poor self esteem and a lot of negative stigma, but knowing that they were able to be the MVP during a difficult boss fight can do a world of good.
10. Empower advocacy, but don't speak over them. If they need to advocate for their needs, creating space and support for that is critical, but don't speak for them. Side conversations can be good spaces to discuss table issues, but you want to make sure that any advocacy you are doing is in alignment with what they want, and gives them a voice. Many autistics have experiences of people trying to peer advocate for them, and it being embarassing, infantalizing, or just wrong. Ask them what they would like to see changed, and ask how you can help.

While this is just the tip of the iceberg on creating an autistic inclusive table, it offers a good start on how to create a table where your autistic and non-autistic players can have a good time together. For more info on autism and TTRPGs, or if you want reach out, find me on Bluesky as RollforKindness.