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I'm going to do a thread with tips on communicating with an #autistic person. Please do retweet this widely so that other people can read these useful tips. #Autism https://twitter.com/AutisticPb/status/1274343188015300611
1) When communicating with an autistic person, do not expect them to have eye contact with you. Eye contact can be very painful for #autistic people. #Autism
2) Try to explain things with as less words as possible. If you use too many words, it can become very overwhelming and hard to understand for #autistic people. #Autism
3) Give information in a clear and concise way and ask the autistic person if they understand before moving onto the next topic. #Autism
4) Remember that the use of visuals and social stories are clearer and can help autistic people understand things better. Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. #Autism
5) When communicating with an #autistic person, make sure that you slow down; if you speak too quickly, it can become overwhelming for an autistic person. #Autism
6) Do not ask too many open-ended questions. Please remember that autistic people struggle with open-ended questions. #Autism
7) If you do ask questions to an #autistic person when communicating, please be specific and be clear. #Autism
8) Avoid the use of rhetorical questions, irony or sarcasm because #autistic people do take things literally. #Autism
9) If you do say "I promise to do this", you have to be 100% certain that you will keep that promise. Autistic people become upset if you break promises. #Autism
10) Give time for the #autistic person to think; don't hurry them; it takes autistic people time to process information and to think. #Autism
11) Try not to use facial expressions to communicate with an #autistic person because some autistic people do not understand facial expressions. #Autism
12) At the beginning of the conversation, make it clear what you are talking about. #Autism
13) Try not to give too much information all at once. #Autism
14) Try not to use complex or technical vocabulary, some #autistic people may find complex or technical vocabulary hard to understand. #Autism
15) When communicating with an #autistic person, make sure you mention their name at the beginning of a conversation so that it is clear that you are talking to them. #Autism
17) Try not to use gestures and body language when communicating with an #autistic person because some autistic people find it difficult to understand gestures and body language. #Autism
18) If an #autistic person if feeling overwhelmed because of the amount of information you are giving, stop and give the autistic person some time to process it. If they need clarity, provide it. #Autism
19) Some #autistic people find it difficult to engage with a conversation, make sure that you are regularly checking if they understand. Write things down or use visuals if necessary. #Autism
20) If an #autistic person did something wrong, try to explain what they did wrong and don't be angry or aggressive. #Autism
