Basic Facts About Autism

Surely you have heard of Autism. You probably heard about it on TV; or, you have probably seen bumper stickers in support of helping those with the condition; but you probably would not know the first thing to do if you should ever come into contact with someone with Autism on a personal level. In case that should ever happen, here are a few basic facts about Autism that will make your meeting run smoothly.

One of the basic facts about Autism is that the Autistic person has sensory difficulties. Some of the common ones are that they are afraid of loud sounds, such as sirens, balloon pops, fireworks, and a crowded place with many people talking all at the same time, such as a mall. Bright lights and certain textures of food and clothing are also very problematic. Sensory issues will differ depending on the person, but these are just some of the more common ones. To find out what is considered bothersome, ask the Autistic person to tell you. He will let you know if he is able to communicate, and if he is not, ask his carer.

Another of the basic facts of Autism that you need to be aware of, should you run into an Autistic person, is that they love and crave familiarity. Change is a fearful thing, so if there is a time that you are involved with an Autistic person during the time that he must make a change into something that is not familiar, you must exercise patience. Being patient and calm will enable you to deal with the situation better and will enable you to calmly reassure the Autistic person that everything is going to be okay. Sometimes, reassurance is all that they need. Also, having familiar objects that they can focus on helps in the biggest way.

The final of the basic facts about Autism is that the Autistic person may not like to be touched. This means that you should not just go up to him and touch him lightly. Even though you are not hurting the Autistic person, it will upset him, as he is 1. Not prepared for you to touch him and 2. It may be over stimulating. The best thing to do is ask the Autistic person or his carer if he is fine with a simple touch or a hug; or, you could get to know the Autistic person on better terms to see what will set him off or not.