How to Explain Autism to People (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

If a loved one has autism - or even yourself - sometimes it may be necessary to explain the disorder to other people. Before properly clarifying what it is, it is helpful to inquire as much as possible to be able to explain that autism affects a person's social skills, empathy, and physical behaviors.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Understanding Autism so You Can Explain It to Others

Step 1. Know what the general definition of autism is

Autism is a developmental disorder that generally involves difficulties in communication and social skills. It is a neurological disease that affects normal brain function.

Step 2. Realize that autism is a broad spectrum disorder

A broad spectrum disorder means that symptoms vary from person to person. There are no two autistic people who have identical symptoms. Some individuals may have extremely severe symptoms, while others may have milder symptoms. Due to this variation in symptoms, it is difficult to generalize this disorder.

Keep this in mind when explaining autism to someone else. It is important to say that not all people with autism behave in a similar way to others who have the same problems, just as a healthy person differs from another in the way they interact

Step 3. Learn how autistic people communicate

Autism can make communicating with others very challenging. Although these communication difficulties will be discussed in more depth in the second part, the most common communication problems related to autism manifest themselves in the following ways:

• The person may speak in an abnormal tone, spelling out words in a strange way and tonality.
• The person can answer the questions by repeating them.
• The person may have difficulty expressing their needs and wants.
• The person gets confused in which direction he should go.
• The person uses language incorrectly and interprets sentences literally (lacks understanding of sarcasm and irony).

Step 4. Realize how people with autism generally relate to others and the world around them

When interacting with an autistic person, you may wonder if they are really paying attention to you or if they care about your presence. Don't take it offensive. Autistic people may have difficulty expressing empathy, which will be discussed later in the third part. Keep in mind that:

• It is not uncommon for people with autism to seem disinterested in their surroundings. They simply cannot be aware of the people around them. This aspect makes it difficult to connect with others.

  

• An autistic person may not share interests with others.

  

• An autistic person may appear as if they do not hear someone talking to them.

  

• Children with autism may find it difficult to play with others and do not enjoy imaginative and group games.

  

Step 5. Know that autistic people generally adhere to a certain behavioral structure

Autism can also lead to habitual physical behaviors. These behaviors may differ from those of others. This is because some people with autism can be easily frightened by unknown stimuli, and prefer to stick to a very strict daily structure. This topic is covered later in the fourth part.

• An autistic person may prefer to stick to a strict routine.
• He may find adaptation very difficult (for example, changing the school environment).
• It can manifest strange attachments to random objects.
• May have limited interests (often involving memorizing numbers or symbols).
• It can organize things in a specific way (for example, line up the toys in a certain order).

Part 2 of 5: Explaining the Social Skills of an Autistic Person to an Adult

Step 1. Try to help others understand that individuals with autism generally do not interact with others in the same way that other people do

People with autism usually interact with others in a very different way than most of us do. As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of autism range from mild to severe.

• In mild cases, the person you are explaining autism to may consider a person with mild autism to be socially maladjusted. Perhaps some disrespectful comments may escape in the ongoing conversation.

  

• In severe cases, a person may find that the individual with autism is unable to interact in a normal social setting.

  

Step 2. Make it known that eye contact is one area autistic people struggle with

Explain to others that part of social skills is based on the ability to look people in the eye. Autistic subjects often have many problems in this sense, because they have not developed this ability adequately.

However, eye contact is something that can develop, particularly if an autistic person is undergoing therapy where they are taught that it is important to look others in the eye while talking. Therefore, explain to others that not all people with autism, be it mild or severe, have a problem with eye contact with the interlocutor

Step 3. Try to make it clear that autistic people do not ignore the presence of others

Some people may believe that someone with autism is ignoring them or pretending not to hear them when they speak. This needs to be explained, as it is not intentional. Help others see that an autistic person may not know someone is trying to talk to them.

Remind others that autism sufferers can find it very difficult to fully engage in conversation. The autistic person does not ignore others, but has difficulty interacting with everyone

Step 4. Make sure others understand that the higher the severity of autism, the less likely an autistic person is to speak

In a nutshell, some people with autism don't speak at all. The higher the severity, the more likely this will occur. It is not uncommon to hear autistic people repeat the words they hear.

The tone of an autistic person is generally abnormal, and when they speak, what they say does not seem very understandable. Make it clear that people with autism communicate differently than other people

Step 5. Help others understand that many people with autism have a hard time understanding the sarcasm and humor in a conversation

Generally, they have a hard time understanding any kind of sarcastic or witty joke. They have difficulty understanding the different tones of voice, especially when the interlocutor's facial features do not match the tone of his voice.

When explaining this difficulty, you may want to give the example of emoticons in messages. If a person were to write "Well, this is great" to you, assume that they are sincere. However, if you use an emoticon similar to this ":-P" after the text, you understand that the symbol means a tongue, meaning that the message is written in an ironic way

Part 3 of 5: Explaining an Autistic Subject's Empathy Problems to an Adult

Step 1. Help others understand that autistic people don't intentionally behave as if they don't care about other people's feelings

Make it clear that an autistic person may appear to be numb or not to care about the feelings of others. Point out that many people with autism do not have the ability to empathize, appearing numb, when in reality they cannot understand the emotions they are feeling.

Tell others that some people with autism can improve their ability to empathize if they are made aware of what their interlocutor is feeling. For example, if you tell an autistic friend that you are really happy about something they have done, they won't know what to tell you at first. However, he can understand better if you repeat it and explain why you are happy

Step 2. Tell others how an autistic person handles a conversation

Many times it may seem that an autistic subject does not really talk to his interlocutor, in the sense that he expresses himself at length on a particular topic, without the exchange of ideas and thoughts being a fundamental part of the discussion. This is because autism sufferers are interested in some specific issues that they will most likely discuss. If the topic of conversation changes, he may appear disinterested.

Normal people may misinterpret this as being rude, but in general those with autism do not intend to be contemptuous of other people's thoughts and feelings, preferring to simply stick to certain topics or themes they can understand

Step 3. Point out that autistic people often talk about themselves, regardless of how interested they are in their interlocutor

It is quite normal to talk about yourself multiple times, but this happens more frequently with individuals who have this kind of problem. They simply prefer to talk about themselves and their interests.

Help others understand that this will not affect how they feel about the people they are talking to. People with autism, in general, have limited contact with their surroundings, so the interests and thoughts they have are the things that are closest to them and that they are able to express most clearly

Step 4. Help others understand that people with autism have feelings like everyone else

It is important for people to understand that those with this kind of difficulty experience love, happiness and pain just like everyone else. Just because he seems detached doesn't mean he doesn't have any feelings. It is a fairly common idea that must be dismantled if one is to explain autism to others.

Part 4 of 5: Explaining the Physical Behavior of an Autistic Subject to an Adult

Step 1. Explain that some people with autism don't like being touched

When you talk to someone who has never interacted with an autistic person before, it may be useful to explain that many autistic people do not like to be touched, especially by those they do not know.

Of course, it's always good to keep in mind that others probably don't mind. It depends on the individual person. That's why it's important to ask before showing some momentum of affection. Many individuals with autism embrace close family members with great pleasure

Step 2. Help others understand that some autistic people can be very uncomfortable with certain stimuli

Some, in fact, react negatively in the presence of a sudden loud noise or when a very strong light comes on. Therefore, it is important to tell who you are explaining autism to remember these cues.

For example, a sudden loud noise can be very unpleasant for an autistic person. The same goes for any sudden change in the environment, whether it's a light shining on him or a smell filling the room he's in. This can increase his discomfort level

Step 3. Point out that some autistic people are able to handle the stimuli provided they are prepared for it

As with physical contact, some autistic people react well to stimuli as long as they are prepared to handle the situation. In general, they do best when they know what to expect, so explain that you need to ask before doing something that might scare them.

Step 4. Let others know that an autistic person may exhibit some apparently abnormal behavior

While many of the things discussed here involve physical reactions that involve emotional responses, an autistic person can also reveal some physical behaviors that are not quite normal. From an external point of view, his reactions may seem strange, but they are often part of his habits. These behaviors can include:

• Rock back and forth.

  

• Hit your head.

  

• Repeating words or noises.

  

• Playing with your fingers.

  

• Snap your fingers.

  

• Show strong arousal.

  

Step 5. Help others understand that habits are important for people with autism

As mentioned above, those with autism feel comfortable within a predictable scenario. This is why habits play a fundamental part in the life of an autistic individual. Routine can involve both activities and certain physical behaviors, as described in the previous step. For example, an autistic person may jump into one spot multiple times. He can also repeat the same song over and over or make the same drawing over and over. Repetitive behaviors are linked to his state of well-being.

If you are trying to explain your child's autism to a friend, compare times when children need to be prepared for school. There are basic habits when preparing for school: having breakfast, brushing your teeth, dressing up, packing your backpack, etc. Even if the routine is the same, some of these steps can get confused with each other some mornings. A child without autism wouldn't even notice the difference. He doesn't care if one morning he gets dressed before breakfast. For a child with autism, these changes can be very upsetting. If he's used to a certain routine, he likes it to stay that way

Part 5 of 5: Explaining Autism to Your Child

Step 1. Make sure your child is ready to discuss this

It is important to be honest with your child, especially if they have a form of autism or if you are asking questions about a friend's mild autism. However, it is also important to make sure that the child is old enough to understand what you are saying to him. If he is not ready to receive this information, there is no need to confuse or demoralize him. Every child is different, so there is no right age to talk to him about his or her friend's ailment. It's up to you to know when it's time to discuss it.

Step 2. Tell your child that autism is nothing to feel sad about

Let him know that it is not his fault and that he must not be sad. You can tell him that no one knows exactly why autism occurs in some people, and that when it occurs, the brain develops differently than in others.

Help your child understand that their differences make them unique and special. This can be done verbally, by telling him that he is special, or by other means

Step 3. Encourage your child

Be sure to encourage the child by telling him that his autism will have no power over his life. He will always be able to go to school happily and participate in family life.

Step 4. Make sure you express your love to him

Always tell your child how much you love him and take care of him. It is important that he receives the proper support, particularly during the difficulties he will encounter throughout his life, but with your support, he can live a happy and positive life.