FAQautism

At best, individuals with autism often struggle to translate all the signals we send. For example, most kids can distinguish the urgency of directions their parents or teachers give, but children with autism may not catch all the nuances. How can we help our friends with autism know that we really mean it?

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For example, when we say, “Come to the table,” we are sometimes giving absent-minded reminders that it is about time to come to the table at school, at home, or at work. Many times our families or students we usually give instruction three or four times before we “really mean it.”

On the other hand, the very same words sometimes demand immediate compliance as soon as we utter the phrase. In most cases, we speak louder and more impatiently, glaring until everyone follows the instruction.

It is important to remember that our friends with autism do not always pick up on our body language and tone of voice and glares, so they may not understand the urgency with which we are speaking. Many individuals with autism are unable to discern the social cues accompanying the words, so they do not always follow instructions adequately.

In part 2 of this topic, we will outline a strategy for communicating verbal instructions more clearly, so our friends with autism know without a doubt that we “really mean it” this time. Over time, this strategy will most likely make life much more pleasant for everyone involved.

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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