The things I want to say about autism
1. Please stop asking if I’m like Rain Man. No, I’m not. And I do not count cards.
2. I suck at math; savants are rare and I’m not one of them.
3. Staring at a person who is obviously stressed out and are covering their ears is rude. (I thought *I* was the one who had bad social skills…)
4. On another note, quit staring at a parent with a kid in meltdown mode; if you want to say something; say “Can I help?”.
5. Don’t assume I can’t hear you when I’m with somebody else. I can, and I’m an adult. Please address me, even if I seem “odd”. Sometimes I just need a little help.
6. I’m not stupid; it takes me longer to learn some things.
7. When I hurt your feelings, tell me! I don’t know I did.
8. Please, please don’t pat me on the back; especially on my left side. It scares me, I can’t see you and dislike it.
9. When I ask you to repeat yourself, I am trying to make sure I heard you correctly.
10. I try to say things that interest you, but can’t tell if it’s boring you. Say something, or I won’t stop.
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What are some things you’d say about Autism?
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Most of what you said goes for me as well. Here are a few of my own…
1.) Don’t touch my head. Any part of it
2.) If I’m pulling my hair, just leave me alone
3.) Don’t touch any of my things without asking
4.) Don’t grab food off of my plate without asking (I’m really big on permission)
5.) I’m not confused. This is how I look when I’m in deep thought. Sorry that when I think I make faces that prompt you to wonder if I’m understanding what is going on
6.) Don’t reorganize my things. I have it all set up the way I like it.
great post … people should learn & practice more compassion & diplomacy, stop affixing labels,and exhibit a sincere interest to learn …
I’ve been dating a guy with autism, and honestly it’s just a matter of making an effort to understand him, which is something you have to do with anyone you date. He is very similar to the description above.
He needs me to be very blunt and straightforward in order to understand me, and sometimes he just can’t handle something and needs space and quiet before we can talk about it. But honestly, I like this. No bullshit mind games. No codes or bullshit deeper meanings to things that I have to figure out. We have a very clear and literal communication style. It’s pretty nice.
I’m not autistic, but I really enjoyed reading this. I think a lot of people should…
I’m not autistic, but I truly admire you for coming straight out and saying this. I’m bipolar and I constantly get immediately judged for it. People like to believe in the extreme cases. Prime example: Rain Man. Or they simply don’t take the time to understand. People judge and are ignorant to the facts. So thank you for putting all of this out there.
If I don’t hear a response when I say something to you, I don’t know that you’ve heard me. For goodness sake, if you’ve known me for 28 years, you should know this about me, so please say something instead of trying to change what you can’t…
For real about number 3. I have a really hard time with visual and aural overstimulation.
I’ve also been asked if I am “mentally retarded.” Uhm…and in what situation is that NOT going to be offensive?
I used to walk with my arms out like an airplane, I guess a balance thing.
No. 11. Amen.
Don’t assume the child having a melt down on the floor is a “spoiled brat.”
I have overheard many a person saying this about my nephew and it really gets me steamed. Some people should just learn to shut it.
11. Don’t ever tell me that I act like an ape! I know my body movements far better than you.
I agree with most of those. 🙂 I hate it when people touch me on the shoulder from behind to get my attention, that scares the living crap out of me and it is all I can do to keep from hitting them. (I learned the hard way, as a kid, about that… hit a few of the wrong people for it.) Something I’d like to add:
Learn the difference between frightened and defiant. Crossing my arms is a defensive posture for me, not a defiant one.