Taking on the Trail: A Sensory-Friendly Guide to Light Up the Spectrum
Every April on World Autism Day, we partner with iconic locations and landmarks across Western Australia to light up our State in a spectrum of colour.
Lighting up the City of Lights and beyond on the 2nd of April is a powerful reminder that we are a diverse community, where everyone is valued and has something to contribute.
This year’s Light Up the Spectrum features over 55 metro and regional sites coming together to illuminate the night, making it our biggest trail yet.
This spectacular event is created for as many people as possible to enjoy in the way that suits them best, but we recognise that visiting bright lights and busy surroundings outside of normal routines may be overwhelming for some. There are many ways you can get involved – you can view the landmarks when travelling across Perth and regional WA, see the sites light up through updates on our social media, or plan your own trail to visit sites as an exciting activity and take photos along the way. You may even wish to light up your own spaces and share photos with us.
Keep reading for some sensory-friendly tips to taking on the trail and making the most of Autism Month’s brightest night – to experience the trail in a way that feels comfortable, flexible, and above all, fun!
Use Our Map to Plan Your Pathway
We have created a Light Up the Spectrum 2026 trail map to help you plan your experience. On the map you will find:
- A full list of the landmarks and locations taking part so you can see and search for what is lighting up closest to you.
- The colour each site will be lit up on the night.
- Specific details to make navigating the trail easier – including lighting information for larger and more complex sites, and alternative viewing points.
- Access to directions for each site to so you can decide how much time you will spend on the trail.
You can save the map link to use it on the night as needed; or find it on our Autism Month webpage, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages.
Please note: Each partnering location’s lighting displays are independently activated. We do our best to ensure each site on our trail map lights up on World Autism Day, however in some unforeseen circumstances, technical malfunctions may occur.
Talk About What Will Happen in Advance
Once you know which sites you would like to visit, you can talk about what will happen when you visit these locations. Have a conversation about what time you will leave, where you will go, what you will see, and when you will head home again – any aspects of the Light Up night that might be new, surprising, or just helpful to talk through beforehand.
It is also important to decide and discuss how you will travel from location to location. Choose your most convenient form of transport and familiarise yourself with relevant stations and schedules if traveling by train or bus, or parking options if you will be driving. The Light Up map is linked to Google Maps, making it easy to find public transport and parking options for all sites – just click the arrow next to the location name.
Other ways you can prepare include:
- Watching last year’s Light Up the Spectrum wrap-up video to see a preview of the lighting displays and know what to expect.
- Packing a sensory bag to take with you and include anything that could be used if sights, sounds etc become overwhelming – like ear defenders, sunglasses, fidget toys and communication supports such as visual stories and AAC devices.
- Make a plan that includes opportunities for taking a break or deciding when you are ready to head home.
- Take a practice drive the night before if you will be visiting sites near you.
Be Prepared on the Night
On World Autism Day, Light Up the Spectrum will commence after sunset from approximately 6pm. When it is time for you to set off and see the sites, here are some things you can do to make your evening smooth and enjoyable:
- Allow extra time for travel and for seeing your chosen sites so you can move at your own pace.
- View sites from a distance and/or less busy vantage points. There are also a range of sites you can visit outside of the busy city centre.
- Use the Google Maps link on each site’s Light Up map listing to see how busy the ones you are about to visit are in real time – just scroll down to the “Popular Times” section.
- Establish a quiet space at a nearby location or in the car where you can retreat from busier areas if you need to
- Set expectations for the event, e.g. it’s okay to take breaks or leave early
Once you’re ready for Light Up the Spectrum – whatever the night looks like for you – all that’s left for you to do is have fun! We hope you enjoy seeing our State light up in a spectrum of colour as we come together on World Autism Day.
We would also love to see how you take part in the trail this year. Share your snapshots and favourite moments on social media, and don’t forget to tag us using @AutismWesternAustralia on Facebook, @autism_association_wa on Instagram, @Autism Association of Western Australia on LinkedIn; and use the hashtag #LightUpTheSpectrum.