FAQautism

Just a word of caution: be very careful what you say in the hearing of your friend with autism. Want to know why?

Listen Now:

Standard Podcast [ 3:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Over the years I have heard hundreds of family secrets, bits of juicy gossip, off-color jokes, scraps of confidential conversations, and other tidbits the original speaker never intended to be repeated, especially not in public.

Many of my friends with autism have excellent memories, so they remember much of what is spoken within hearing, even when we do not realize they are listening. Sometimes a youngster repeats a story or conversation snippet without understanding the topic or even the words.

Not only do our friends remember the details of potentially embarrassing stories, but their deficits in social graces keep them from recognizing the need to keep some conversations confidential.

The moral of this lesson is to be very careful what you say when talking on the telephone, conversing in the car, watching a show or basketball game, visiting with a neighbor, or talking when your friend with autism is in another room. The best rule of thumb is to assume anything you say may be repeated in a public forum.

Another good rule of thumb is to take advantage of quality resources that help you build skills necessary to address challenging issues related to autism. Take a look at our Toolkits – inexpensive, easy to use resources for parents, teachers, and others interested in the well-being of individuals with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website – http://FAQautism.com

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

No related posts.