Literal Terms
Because literal language is a characteristic common to autism, we might want to think carefully about terminology we use to avoid miscommunication.
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Recently, a friend was taken aback when a young adult with autism talked for twenty minutes “without taking a breath” in great detail about his mother’s health issues. My friend said she was embarrassed to hear all the personal details, and later realized that the young man with autism took her literally when she casually asked, “How is your mother doing?”
Parents and teachers also realize the consequences of making casual remarks. For example, a pre-teen exploded last week when she perceived the teacher broke a promise. The teacher casually commented that the class would go outside after lunch, then changed her mind when she realized the students needed to complete their science unit.
Another student with autism caused quite a stir at school when he took his teacher’s direction to stay seated in his chair until he finished his math problems quite literally. The school had a fire drill, but he would not stand up and evacuate because he had not finished his math problems.
Confusion can also arise over the different terminology. For example, a room with a toilet can be called a bathroom, a restroom, a toilet, the ladies room, the men’s room, or the john. Not everyone is able to shift meaning between terms. One of my young adult friends with autism was asked if he needed to go to the bathroom. Taking that term very literally, the young man replied, “No, I took a bath last night.”
TIP FOR THE DAY: Think of the words you use. If you can see a person with autism is confused or is refusing to follow directions, take time to think of the words spoken. This will give you a chance to determine if the individual may have misunderstood what was said because of their tendency toward literal translation.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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