People on the autism spectrum may:
- not understand what you say
- appear deaf
- be unable to speak or speak with difficulty
- engage in repetitive behaviors
- act upset for no apparent reason
- appear insensitive to pain
- appear anxious or nervous
- dart away from you unexpectedly
- engage in self-stimulating behaviors
(i.e. Hand flapping or rocking)
- Speak slowly and use simple language
- Use concrete terms
- Repeat simple questions
- Allow time for responses
- Give lots of praise
- Do not attempt to physically block self-stimulating behavior
- Remember that each person is unique and may act differently than another
www.autism-society.org