| "I need a bit of a kick start." | | | | this possible?). |
| "Give me a break." | | | | And for a person with autism, imagine how strange |
| "I nearly jumped out of my skin!" | | | | and scary the world would seem if you were brought |
| Heard these types of phrases before? Most of us | | | | up to love and care for people, and taught that hurting |
| have, and many of us use these or other similar | | | | and killing people is bad, to one day have your mother |
| phrases at times. | | | | (who was having a bad day) say, "If you touch that I'll |
| People often use words (or language) to imply a | | | | shoot you!" (When you went to pick up her precious |
| meaning that is vastly different to the words literal | | | | antique china vase that had been in the family for |
| meaning. Most of us understand these different | | | | generations.) |
| meanings and can put the words into context, but to a | | | | Language can be complex, and to many people with |
| person with an autism spectrum disorder, this | | | | autism it can be a struggle. So when communicating |
| 'understanding' can be very difficult. | | | | with a person who has it, choose your words carefully |
| This is because it is common for people with autism to | | | | - and if you are receiving blank stares in response to |
| understand and use language purely in its 'literal' sense. | | | | your language, try rephrasing your words or explaining |
| With reference to the 3 phrases above, then, a person | | | | what you mean. |
| with it may be surprised that you need 'kicking' in order | | | | Being understanding and thoughtful with the language |
| to begin something. And they may be confused that | | | | you use can go a long way to helping a person with |
| you want to be given something broken. And they | | | | autism feel comfortable in their surroundings and in the |
| definitely wouldn't understand how your body could | | | | social environment. |
| jump out of your skin (and jump back in again - how is | | | | |