World Autism Awareness Day: Supporting A Person With Autism

Autism

Often, the mental health struggles autistic people experience can stem from a lack of understanding and from living in a society that isn’t designed to cater for their needs. This blog explains how you can support a friend, loved one or colleague with autism.

Educate yourself

This is the first step to take when supporting someone with autism. Learn about the unique characteristics that people with autism exhibit, and have an awareness of their strengths, needs, interests and challenges. These stories on the National Autistic Society blog are a good place to start.

Communicate clearly

Autistic people can find communication with neurotypical people challenging. Issues can range from a difficulty in understanding the body language or social cues of others, through to an inability to speak. People with autism may also interpret language differently and more literally.

Do: use clear, concise sentences and consider visual supports. Check with the person you’re speaking to that they understand what you have said and see if they need any further explanation.

Remember that when someone is communicating with you, things that may tend to be said in one way by a neurotypical person might be said in a different, more straightforward or direct way by someone who is autistic.

Don’t: speak too quickly and try to avoid using sarcasm, irony, metaphors or rhetorical questions in your language. If you do, simply pause to recap and explain what you mean in different words.

Be a good listener

Taking the time to listen makes all people feel valued and can particularly help to show someone with autism that you care and support them. If you find anything you’ve spoken about with someone unclear, ask questions to clarify. It might help to be specific, asking something like: “When you said [insert what they said] did you mean [insert your interpretation]? I just want to make sure I understand properly”.

Be understanding and positive

Autistic people can struggle with social interactions. They’re not always sure of how to express themselves and can find social situations overwhelming. Be patient and remember to compliment them (like you would with anyone else) to help boost their confidence and help them feel more comfortable interacting with others.

Help them create a routine

A structured routine helps to give autistic people a sense of stability and security. It creates clear expectations which can minimise anxiety and stress and over time, can lead to increased self-confidence and independence. Taking into consideration a person’s individual needs, strengths and interests, you could explore opportunities to help them create a structured routine for daily activities.

Disruption to an autistic person’s routine can be stressful. Events like going to a new school, starting a new job, meeting a new family member or colleague, or something like an unexpected fire alarm going off can be confusing or upsetting for them. Where you can, try and let the autistic person know about the coming change and help them come up with a plan to cope.

Pay attention to their sensory needs

Many autistic people are over- or under-sensitive to specific sounds, tastes, smells or sights, which can cause them mental distress and physical discomfort. Knowing and understanding someone’s sensory needs and then making efforts to avoid things that could add to discomfort can help autistic people feel at ease.

Take care of yourself

It’s ok if you sometimes find supporting an autistic person physically or mentally demanding, or isolating. Remember to check in with how you’re feeling and make sure you get the support you need. If you’re struggling, try sharing your thoughts and feelings with friends and family, or a GP. You can also text ‘Shout’ to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer who will listen and support you.

Content sourced from Shout (giveusashout.org). Click here to view our Autism Health Articles.

Autism Useful Resources

Do you want to understand more about play for your child with autism and be able to...
Autism NI are the only autism specific training agency in NI to offer the AQA unit award...
Our Early Intervention Service is a partnership service, led by Autism NI, which aims to...
Autism NI offer a range of online and in person support courses for parents and carers...
One of our longest established services is our Family Support provision which is based in...
Autism NI offer a range of online and in person support courses for parents and carers...
Do you want to find out more about the simple adaptations for the workplace that can...
Autism NI provide a unique autistic adult support service which provides critical,...
Do you want to explore a range of strategies to help your child with emotions, stress and...
The course will explore the key characteristics of autism and how they may impact an...
Autism NI is Northern Ireland’s longest serving autism charity and autism training...
The Mental Health and Autism Project provides one to one support to autistic young people...
At Autism NI, the Family Support team co-ordinate a number of different types of support...
Autism NI offer a range of online and in person support courses for parents and carers...
Does your child or an individual you work with struggle with verbal communication? Would...
In Autism NI, the Family Support team co-ordinate Autistic Peer Networks for different...
Do you want to know more about what autism is? What does the diagnosis mean? How can I...
Whatever your background, interests or time you have available, you'll find that...