How to Respond when Someone Says They're Autistic
Pay attention to how they feel about autism.. Be encouraging to someone who sounds excited or happy about their diagnosis.. Be sympathetic to someone who sounds worried or negative, without encouraging them to feel bad.
Steps
Pay attention to how they feel about autism.
Pay attention to how they feel about autism.
Be encouraging to someone who sounds excited or happy about their diagnosis.
Be encouraging to someone who sounds excited or happy about their diagnosis.
Be sympathetic to someone who sounds worried or negative, without encouraging th
Be sympathetic to someone who sounds worried or negative, without encouraging them to feel bad.
Offer a listening ear if they want to talk about it.
Offer a listening ear if they want to talk about it.
Avoid pitying or inspirational remarks.
Avoid pitying or inspirational remarks.
Don't deny or minimize their autism.
Don't deny or minimize their autism.
Avoid categorizing them as high-functioning or low-functioning.
Avoid categorizing them as high-functioning or low-functioning.
Avoid assuming that they have a special talent.
Avoid assuming that they have a special talent.
Don't pry about medical details.
Don't pry about medical details.
Avoid discussions of causation or cure.
Avoid discussions of causation or cure.
Don't criticize their unusual behavior.
Don't criticize their unusual behavior.
Consider affirming your love or respect for them.
Consider affirming your love or respect for them.
Know that it's okay to ask questions if you don't understand.
Know that it's okay to ask questions if you don't understand.
Feel free to mention the positive autistic traits you've seen in them.
Feel free to mention the positive autistic traits you've seen in them.
Try asking them to let you know how you can help.
Try asking them to let you know how you can help.
Continue treating them like a friend.
Continue treating them like a friend.
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