How to interact with a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Autism Society of America has published some helpful tips on how to interact with a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ASA’s helpful tips for interacting with someone who has Autism

People on the autism spectrum may:

• not understand what you say
• appear deaf
• be unable to speak or speak with difficulty
• engage in repetitive behaviors
• act upset for no apparent reason
• appear insensitive to pain
• appear anxious or nervous
• dart away from you unexpectedly
• engage in self-stimulating behaviors (i.e. Hand flapping or rocking)

Helpful hints for interaction:

• Speak slowly and use simple language
• Use concrete terms
• Repeat simple questions
• Allow time for responses
• Give lots of praise
• Do not attempt to physically block self-stimulating behavior
• Remember that each person is unique and may act differently than another

For more information, visit the Autism Society of America's website at www.autism-society.org, or call them at 1-800-3-AUTISM.