Adapting Behaviour

Many autistic people can speak all or most of the time, but still struggle with some aspects of communication.

Things you can do to help:

· Speak clearly and directly.

· Avoid background noise.

· Avoid language that might be taken multiple ways.

· Slow down and make time for the person to speak because they may struggle with processing time and knowing when to enter a conversation.

· Double-check if you think you may not have been understood.

· Write things down (not just for autistic people who don't speak).

Many autistic people will prefer to have information written down than to have it given verbally and may be able to read and write when they are struggling to speak.

This extends across services. Text messages, emails, and letters are generally far more helpful for autistic people than phone calls.

Some autistic people use symbols or pictures to communicate. This can be as simple as photographs of objects they need to interact with, all the way up to full libraries of symbols like Widget, Makaton or Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

These symbols are not usually interchangeable, so make sure beforehand you know which system they use.

Some autistic people use sign languages, such as British Sign Language (BSL) or Makaton.

This may be because they struggle with spoken words, have severe auditory processing problems, or additional hearing loss.

They will need an interpreter to help them in health settings.

Easy Read is a way of writing documents that uses simple words along with pictures.

lt was originally developed for the use of people with learning disabilities, and although some autistic people may find it very useful, others may not as it is generally not produced with the communication needs of autistic people first.