Individuals with autism often have difficulty understanding and responding to non-verbal cues, which can make communication challenging. This can lead to heightened anxiety, which in turn can result in challenging behaviours.
As a result of these challenges, individuals with autism may struggle to develop and maintain relationships. This can be especially difficult for children with autism, who may find it difficult to make friends or interact with peers. However, with the right support and strategies, individuals with autism can learn to better understand and respond to non-verbal cues, and develop the skills they need to build positive relationships with others.
One effective strategy for supporting individuals with autism is to use visual aids to help them understand non-verbal cues. For example, using pictures or drawings to represent different emotions can help individuals with autism identify and respond appropriately to different social cues. Additionally, therapists and caregivers can work with individuals with autism to develop social stories that provide guidance on how to interact with others in different situations.
It’s important to note that all individuals with autism are unique, and may have different strengths and challenges when it comes to communication and social interaction. It’s important to work with each individual to understand their specific needs and develop strategies that work best for them.
Here are some other tips for you to communicate effectively with someone who has autism:
Be PATIENT
Give the person some time to process and respond.
Speak LITERALLY and DIRECTLY
Describe the request. Tell them, “It’s raining very heavily”, versus “It’s raining cats and dogs.”.
Stay CALM
Remain calm when the person with autism shows signs of distress. Speak gently and clearly.
