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March 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarah Stup: 9 Ways to interact with people with autism

April is Autism Awareness Month. Sarah Stup, a writer with autism, wishes it were every month.

An estimated 1.5 million-plus Americans have autism, and their number is growing. Increased
public awareness is imperative, believes Stup, whose latest book, Are Your Eyes Listening? Collected Works helps people better understand the developmental disability from the inside-out.

Although people with autism may behave or interact differently than others, Stup says 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.