I’m Autistic

COMMUNICATION

I have communication difficulties. I may come across as rude because I don’t understand you or I misinterpret your words or your behaviour.
I may blurt out inappropriate responses.

Please speak calmly, clearly, and directly, using short, simple sentences and closed questions.

 Please don’t use sarcasm, irony, metaphors, similes, or abstract concepts. Speak literally and directly and avoid making jokes.

Please be patient and give me time to process information and time to respond. I may stutter or may not be able to speak at all.

I may give very little eye contact or no eye contact at all. I’m not being rude, and I am trying to listen to you. Please don’t assume that I’m ignoring you or that I can’t hear you. Eye contact just makes me really uncomfortable.

I don’t understand tone of voice or body language, so say exactly what you mean.

 Please don’t talk down to me. I interpret things differently than most people, but that doesn’t make me stupid. If I think you’re talking down to me or being rude, I may get aggressive, though I don’t mean to be.

 As well as being autistic, I have ADHD. I have difficulty concentrating and I’m easily distracted. Again, please don’t assume that I’m ignoring you or that I can’t hear you just because I’m not looking at you. I’ll usually seem restless, and fidget a lot.

 I may act impulsively with little regard for risks or consequences. This includes blurting out inappropriate responses.

 I also have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, so I get really anxious talking to people, especially those I don’t know. I may also seem restless or irritable.

SENSORY

I may get overwhelmed by sensory input, including, but not limited to, sounds, lights, odours, and touch. This may lead to unpredictable behaviour, including aggression or repetitive movements (see STIMMING). I can’t control these behaviours, so let them pass unless they’re causing harm to myself or others. If there is immediate risk of harm to myself or others, please call the police and make sure to tell them that I’m autistic.

 Please give me space and don’t touch me or my belongings unless you absolutely have to. If you need to touch me or my stuff, explain exactly what you’re going to do beforehand, and why.

I struggle with my balance and spatial awareness, so I may bump into you or get too close. I regularly lose my balance and fall over, and I regularly trip up over things.

I may not realise that I need the toilet until it’s urgent, or that I’m hungry or thirsty. I may not know that I’m too hot or too cold and so I may be wearing inappropriate clothing for the conditions.

STIMMING

“Stimming” helps me to regulate emotions or sensory input from the environment. I may repeat sounds, words, or phrases that I hear or have heard previously. I may perform repetitive movements or actions. Stimming is perfectly normal, and I may not be able to control – or be aware of – these behaviours, so let them pass unless they’re causing harm to myself or others.

SUMMARY

My communication may be very different to yours and I may not be able to understand your spoken language or body language.

 I may react aggressively or seem aggressive when I don’t mean to be.

 I have difficulty concentrating, am very easily distracted, and may act impulsively.

 I get overstimulated by sensory information, including, but not limited to, light, sound, touch, and smell.

 DO NOT TOUCH ME OR MY BELONGINGS unless you absolutely must. If you have to, tell me beforehand what you’re going to do and why.

 I perform repetitive movements and make repetitive sounds as a means of regulating sensory information or regulating my emotions.

 I have very high anxiety.

I may not realise that I need the toilet until it’s urgent, or that I’m hungry or thirsty. I may not know that I’m too hot or too cold and so I may be wearing inappropriate clothing for the conditions.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If I need further support or help, please call Andrew using the details on my card.

If there is immediate risk of harm to myself or others, please call the police, and make sure to tell them that I’m autistic.