10 Ways to Support a Friend or Loved One with Autism
April is National Autism Month and to help show our support for people with Autism, we thought we’d share a post about the best ways to support a friend, loved one, or colleague with Autism. The aim of World Autism Month is simple: to achieve global understanding of Autism and learn how we as a global community can support people living with Autism.
With that in mind, below is a guide to 10 ways that you can support a friend or loved one living with Autism.
1. Don’t refer to a person with Autism as ‘autistic’
People with Autism are first and foremost people - they are a person, a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother, an aunt, an uncle, a mum, a dad. People with Autism want to be recognised as people because that’s what they are, they are not ‘autistic’ they have Autism. They are not their condition; Autism does not define them. Understanding this is crucial.
2. Understand that every person with Autism is individual
Just because someone suffers from Autism doesn’t make them the same as every other person with Autism, they are individual. Something that people with Autism want others to know and understand is that having Autism doesn’t make them the same as every other person living with the condition; they are individual.
3. Campaign for services for people with Autism
Something that it’s vital that people with Autism get is support. The issue is that there are very few services that are designed to cater to the needs of people with Autism, which can mean that it’s difficult for these people to lead normal, happy and healthy lives. For instance, most sports centres offer a range of activities for kids, teens and adults, but very few offer specialist classes and activities for people with Autism.
4. Ensure people with Autism can make friends
There’s a common misconception that people with Autism do better when they spend time with just other people with Autism. However, this isn’t the case. The fact is that people with Autism need to mix with other people is something that not everyone understands. However, if you are going to ensure that your friend or loved one with Autism is able to make friends and build their own connections, it’s essential to ensure that there are places that offer them the opportunity to do so. Schooling is a vital part of this, as is attending extracurricular clubs. Many children with Autism are able to attend mainstream schools. However, a lot of people don’t realise that this is a possibility.
5. Make sure that people with Autism understand what is being said
Often, people with Autism take things that are said literally and don’t always understand jokes properly, which is why it’s important to make sure that your friend or loved one with Autism understands what’s being said.
6. Maintain a routine
For people with Autism, maintaining a routine can be vital. The fact is that for many people living with Autism, a regular routine can help to make daily life easier for them to cope with. A lot of people with Autism struggle to deal with changes to their schedule, which is why ensuring that their schedule is kept the same, is so important.
7. Be clear
When asking a question to someone with Autism, it’s important that you are clear and direct. People with Autism can sometimes misunderstand things due to their minds working a little differently to other people’s which is why it’s so important that you say things clearly, especially questions. It’s also essential that you make the meaning of what you’re asking clear.
8. Educate others about Autism
A lot of children with Autism can become the targets of bullies because they can often struggle with social interaction. So it’s important that you take the time to educate other people about Autism and help your children to interact socially. Things, like making eye contact and using unusual body language, are common traits that people with Autism tend to have.
9. Understand the environment that is needed to thrive
For many people with Autism, their environment is a crucial part of their wellness. For some people with Autism, certain environmental factors can impact them in a negative way, such as loud noises or fast movements, which is why it’s important to support them by providing the right environment for their needs.
10. Don’t get annoyed
People with Autism can often exhibit challenging behavioural traits. However, it’s important to understand that this is part of suffering from Autism and usually stems from their inability to express how they are feeling - many people with Autism struggle to express themselves.
Living with Autism can be challenging at times, which is why people who suffer from it need as much support as they can get. Hopefully, the tips and advice above will help you to provide the support that is needed.
