Help me

[Rayfoxfell]

Ok I'm autistic and I live in a group home staff just gave me the go ahead to plan for a meeting to teach folks about autism. It'll spread over 4 meetings each 20 minutes. Ideas on what I should cover? I already know some topics like behavior is communication, identity first over person first in general but depends on the person some do prefer person first everyone is different use the language a person prefers ask when in doubt, sensory processing stuff, got to explain what is autism...i just want to make sure I get the necessities. I want input from other autistics on ideas of what to cover. What are some things you wish other folks know about autism?

 

[Matthias]

What are some things you wish other folks know about autism?

1. Autistic people are often very sensitive which frequently results in autistic people misunderstanding situations
and misinterpreting people's actions (such as feeling gaslighted, mistreated, or believing no one likes them).

2. Everyone has a need to belong. Autistic people often avoid others because of their emotions and not because they truly enjoy being alone.

3. Social anxiety is very common in people with autism. Many people with autism want friends but wait for other people to speak to them because they're too afraid of being rejected or making a fool of themselves.

4. Many people with autism have difficulty understanding emotions due to emotional neglect. Helping autistic people understand their emotions would be very helpful.

5. Cognitive distortions are very common. Negative and distorted thinking patterns make it difficult for autistic people to understand other people and form close relationships.

6. People with autism often hide who they are because they are afraid of being themselves.

7. Taking the time to listen and understand people with autism instead of rushing to judge and criticize abnormal behavior would greatly help autistic people feel better and feel like they belong.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Perhaps you can cover the developmental delays in social maturity. This is exacerbated by the social anxiety and cognitive difficulties with social communication that creates persistent social inexperience. The result is missed social-developmental benchmarks, especially as a teen and young adult. One result of this can be a feeling of social isolation that creates a barrier to personal growth.

 

[Richelle-H]

I would add to what has already been said: from my experience, there are those on the spectrum who are especially sensitive to low level repetitive noise that others may not even be aware of. Also, some are extremely touch averse when with people they do not know well.

We are as diverse a group as those who are considered normal. I reject the idea that there is something wrong with us that needs to be cured or trained. That is a soul-sucking idea. Just because we experience and interact with the world a bit differently than most does not make our experiences any less relevant or outright worthy of dismissal.

I could say a lot more, but I will stop now. Good luck with your presentation.

 

[grommet]

1. Autistic people are often very sensitive which frequently results in autistic people misunderstanding situations
and misinterpreting people's actions (such as feeling gaslighted, mistreated, or believing no one likes them).

2. Everyone has a need to belong. Autistic people often avoid others because of their emotions and not because they truly enjoy being alone.

3. Social anxiety is very common in people with autism. Many people with autism want friends but wait for other people to speak to them because they're too afraid of being rejected or making a fool of themselves.

4. Many people with autism have difficulty understanding emotions due to emotional neglect. Helping autistic people understand their emotions would be very helpful.

5. Cognitive distortions are very common. Negative and distorted thinking patterns make it difficult for autistic people to understand other people and form close relationships.

6. People with autism often hide who they are because they are afraid of being themselves.

7. Taking the time to listen and understand people with autism instead of rushing to judge and criticize abnormal behavior would greatly help autistic people feel better and feel like they belong.

I think you described how I am exactly. Maybe I am not alone being this way.

 

[SusanLR]

I would want people to understand it is a neurological diversity.

Know that lack of eye contact does not mean we don't want to be friendly.
It is just a natural part of most autistics.

We may be quirky, but, that doesn't mean we're jerky.
Life can use a little spice!

 

[Mush]

One word answers are sufficient. This is something NT’s need to understand that a one word answer to a complex question is perfectly alright.

Conversely, an answer that takes longer than usual is also perfectly alright. If I can’t explain why my answer is what it is, then I may as well not give an answer.