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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.
