9 WAYS TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

by Sarah Stup
@2009 Sarah Stup. All rights reserved in all media.

Although people with autism may behave or interact differently than others, Sarah Stup wants you to know that they are “real” people nonetheless. Accordingly, she offers these insights and suggestions to improve — and encourage — communication.

1. Autism helps protect us from seeing and hearing too much. Please don’t hate our shield.
2. Try not to stare. Sometimes we need to do unusual things.
3. We hear you when you complain about us. Find other times to talk mean.
4. Rudeness is not our intent. No sad faces please.
5. Real friends don’t judge our actions. Please find us inside bodies that work differently.
6. See us as real. We are not shells with no inhabitants.
7. With too much asking us to be normal, we feel like impostors.
8. Try to help us, not control us.
9. Raise hope to give us better futures. We need to aim high.

Please forward this piece or reprint it as a handout or newsletter article, so that others may better understand and support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Sarah’s request is that this piece be used for non-commercial purposes and that it remain in its entirety, with full attribution given.

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