Communicating ideas is not always easy. But if you are autistic, the task can be even more difficult.
We are insured by Alis Rowe, author and British entrepreneur with Asperger syndrome. She says that we should all keep in mind that what is in the head of another person is not the same as what is in yours & # 39 ;.
It is important, he says, to understand that each person has his or her unique experience in the World and these different perceptions can help everyone communicate better.
Rowe has 10 important ideas about the challenges autistic people face in social situations and what others can do to make it easier.
1. Different people with similar challenges
According to the World Health Organization, one in 160 children in the world has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The condition affects the way people see, hear, feel and communicate with the world around them. It can make it difficult to talk to others or to interpret social signals and often causes anxiety.
Many autistic people find it difficult to filter background noise in busy environments.
Autism manifests itself differently in every person and some influence them more than others. As in the general population, some autistic people will be very outgoing and social, while others are more shy and withdrawn.
Some may not be able to talk and prefer to communicate through gestures or symbols.
So while all autistic people face the same challenges, the way they affect them and their lives can be very different.
2. The perception of sounds
Just listening to what someone says is a great conscious effort; they may have to concentrate a lot and ask the other person to repeat things.
3. Not so obvious realities
Autistic people may not recognize things as tone of voice or facial expressions, but they can change the meaning of what someone says.
That's why they often take things literally and do not always capture sarcasm metaphors or unusual twists in a conversation.
But it is important not to assume that an autistic person does not understand a conversation with nuances: some will learn to discover these signs, though not easily.
4. The context helps
Understanding the meaning behind what people say can be a challenge for people with autism, so it is crucial to give them a context.
Alis Rowe gives the following example: if you've seen a robin on the beach Brighton (England) and you're screaming, "Wow, look at that bird!" Someone with autism may have difficulty understanding why it is such an extraordinary event. But if you add: & # 39; How strange is it to see a robin at the edge of the sea ?, they would more easily realize what you wanted to say.
5. Conversation on time
Because autistic people find it more difficult to read the behavior and body language of others, they may not be able to see when it is appropriate to start, end, or join. a conversation.
Inviting them to contribute to a discussion and to ask direct questions can help.
6. Another way to express
Many people with autism, talking requires a lot of reflection. They can say things slowly, stutter, speak in a monotonous voice, emphasize unusual parts of a sentence, or go into detail.
Because these speech patterns are unknown, neurotypical people sometimes get disconnected or interpret what they say. he says. That is why it is very important to leave room for an autistic person to speak and listen carefully to what is being told to them.
7. Socializing is harder
Some people with autism can become very good to imitate common social skills. But even if they seem to socialize happily, it is often an incredibly difficult task.
By putting thoughts in an SMS or email, you can offer a less stressful way to have a conversation.
8. A universe of emotions
Autistic people can communicate their emotions differently or react unexpectedly to some situations because they are actually dealing with something that others can not easily see.
Rowe says, for example, that if she achieved good results in college entrance examinations, everyone expected her to be happy, but in reality she worried because it meant she had to leave the house and change her routine.
Sometimes people Autistic people especially feel strong things and may have difficulty finding words that express what they feel. Images and clear questions can help.
9. Repetition
There are several reasons why a person with autism can repeat a word or phrase several times .
Maybe they want to show the other person that they understood what the other person just said, but did not respond immediately; it is a tactic to buy time to think.
They can also be anxious and in need of reassurance. Or maybe they feel that the question they have asked has not been fully answered.
10. Writing is an alternative
For someone with autism, placing thoughts in a text message or e-mail can be a less stressful way to have a conversation ]. It gives them time to digest the messages, to come up with a reaction and to write without the pressure to respond immediately.
It can also be easier to understand what the other person means without all the additional social clues that come from personal talking.
But autistic people can have problems with phone calls because there is an expectation that they have to respond quickly and that there is background noise that distracts them.
You can now receive notifications from BBC News World. Download the new version of our app and activate it to not miss our best content.
Source link