Ten Things
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I bring you *Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew [written by Ellen Notbom, with plenty of additions from me, in brackets]:
1) I am, first and foremost, a child. I have autism. Autism is not who I am. [Did you know that it's not appropriate to call someone autistic? It's better to use "has autism."]
2) My sensory perceptions are disordered. What bothers you might not bother me much at all, and vice-versa. Conversely, some sounds/lighting/scents are to me like nails on a chalkboard to you. I wish I could be less sensitive, but I can't. Also, I am visually-oriented; just telling me is often a waste of time. Show me, instead, with words or pictures. As if that weren't enough, I have a hard time knowing where my body is in space; this is very frustrating and causes me to be far from athletic; please have compassion for me.
3) Please remember to distinguish between "won't" (I choose not to) and "can't" (I am not able to.) With all of the sensory stimulation I struggle to interpret, I'm often overwhelmed or distracted. Give your instructions clearly and directly to me. If I know what's expected, I'm more likely to cooperate. [Also, I might not "look like" I have autism. Autism is complex. It manifests differently in each individual. The fact that I'm not flapping my arms and can look you in the eye does not mean I can control my reactions to my environment. Don't believe the Rainman stereotype, either; autism comes in many forms. I may look like a typical kid, and in many ways, I am, but please don't let my normal appearance lead you to believe that I "can help it."]
4) I am a concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very literally. Idioms, puns, nuances, other figures of speech, and sarcasm are usually lost on me.
5) Please be patient if my vocabulary is limited. I have a very hard time articulating my feelings. Be alert for body language, withdrawal, agitation, or other signs that something is wrong. I may not even be aware of the signals myself and may need guidance. Because I do want to communicate, I may often chatter on about random topics I've memorized, to compensate for not being able to communicate in other ways.
6) Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented. Remember, show me vs. tell me. Visual schedules are a life saver for me, just as your Blackberry helps you stay organized.
7) Please focus and build on what I can do, rather than what I can't do. Trying anything new when I am almost sure to be met with criticism, however "constructive," becomes something to be avoided. Look for my strengths, and you will find them. There is more than one "right way" to do most things.
8) Help me with social interactions. I like to be part of the group, but sometimes, I just don't now how to make or keep friends. I'm very "me" orientated and often don't pick up on social cues like facial expressions, voice tone, or body language. Teach me how to respond appropriately.
9) Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns. When I lose emotional control, it's as difficult for me as it is for you. Often, my response is due to sensory overload of some kind. Watch for patterns and try to prevent these occurrences.
10) If you're a family member, please love me unconditionally. I did not choose to have autism any more than you chose to have a child with such struggles. Please be patient; I'm worth it.
11) (my addition) Structure, structure, structure. Having a schedule; knowing what's coming next, getting a heads-up about transitions, gives me security. You can help me (and yourself) by keeping this in mind. Even neuro-typical children benefit from knowing what's coming up next. Help us both by creating transitions from one activity to another and by communicating changes to the expectations/schedule for the day ahead of time
If you've read to the bottom of this list and don't even know anyone with autism, thank you from the bottom of my heart, as well as from those to whom this subject is near and dear. With education and understanding comes compassion. For more autism resources, visit any of these resources:
Autism/PDD Information and Support
Autism Awareness Month Facebook Page
Autism Speaks
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Mrs. 4444 has a wealth of great posts and two great weekly memes on her blog - I highly recommend checking out Half Past Kissin' Time by clicking on the blog button (-----Don't forget to leave a fabulous comment and tell her I sent you ;)
