An autistic individual shares their personal experiences and insights to help people communicate more effectively with those on the autism spectrum. They provide 18 tips on what not to say or do when interacting with autistic individuals, including:
1. Avoiding assumptions about autism based on appearance or behavior.
2. Not making promises that cannot be kept.
3. Respecting autonomy and not doing things for the autistic person without their consent.
4. Avoiding literal interpretations of questions and statements.
5. Not using autism as an excuse or label.
6. Being patient and allowing time for responses.
7. Avoiding obligations or demands without explanation.
8. Being literal and descriptive when explaining events or situations.
9. Not asking about medication for autism (since there is no cure).
10. Avoiding the myth that vaccines cause autism.
11. Not apologizing for or pitying autistic individuals or their families.
12. Not using autism as an excuse for avoiding social situations.
13. Not labeling autistic behaviors as "weird" or "rude."
14. Avoiding asking if an autistic person wants to hear the truth (since they will likely respond honestly).
15. Not assuming that autistic people lack feelings or empathy.
16. Avoiding comments about being "stressed" or "overwhelmed" (since autistic individuals may experience mental crises).
17. Not assuming that autistic people have a specific interest (e.g., math).
18. Respecting and valuing autistic individuals as unique people with feelings and difficulties.
The individual emphasizes the importance of patience, understanding, and respect when interacting with autistic people, and encourages others to see them as people with feelings and difficulties rather than just their autism diagnosis.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The speaker is an autistic person who has two autistic children.
2. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that each autistic person is unique and has different characteristics.
3. Autistic people may have difficulties with social interactions, communication, and sensory processing.
4. Autistic people can be very literal and may interpret language in a different way than neurotypical people.
5. Autistic people may have difficulty understanding sarcasm, idioms, and figurative language.
6. Autistic people may have difficulty with eye contact, but this does not mean they are not paying attention.
7. Autistic people may have difficulty with processing information and may need more time to respond.
8. Autistic people may have difficulty with changes in routine or unexpected events.
9. Autistic people may have difficulty with social cues, such as understanding tone of voice or body language.
10. Autistic people may have difficulty with initiating or maintaining conversations.
11. Autistic people may have difficulty with understanding humor or irony.
12. Autistic people may have difficulty with dealing with emotions, such as anxiety or stress.
13. Autistic people may have difficulty with understanding what others are feeling or with empathy.
14. Autistic people may have difficulty with changes in environment, such as new places or new people.
15. Autistic people may have difficulty with sensory processing, such as with loud noises or bright lights.
16. Autistic people may have difficulty with physical touch, such as with hugs or kisses.
17. Autistic people may have difficulty with understanding personal space or physical boundaries.
18. Autistic people may have difficulty with executive functioning, such as with planning or organization.
And here are some key facts about what not to say to autistic people:
1. Don't say "You don't look like an autistic person."
2. Don't say "You're normal" or "You're typical."
3. Don't promise something you won't keep.
4. Don't ask if the person takes medicine for autism.
5. Don't say "The vaccine causes autism."
6. Don't say "Sorry" when referring to an autistic person's autism.
7. Don't use autism as an excuse.
8. Don't say "You're weird" or "You have weird habits."
9. Don't say "You're rude" or "You're insensitive."
10. Don't assume that autistic people are good at math or have other specific skills.
11. Don't assume that autistic people are not emotional or empathetic.
12. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of forming relationships or making friends.
13. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of communicating or expressing themselves.
14. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of understanding humor or irony.
15. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of dealing with emotions or stress.
16. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of understanding social cues or personal space.
17. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of initiating or maintaining conversations.
18. Don't assume that autistic people are not capable of understanding what others are feeling or with empathy.