Tips with Classical Autism
To begin, I will say something that everyone will say: "Issn't that very logical?" Yet it is not, as many people who are do this wrong. A person with an ASD disorder is just a person. Classical Autism and mental retardation do not always go together automatically! As long as you do not know if you must do anything different, treat the person with ASD, just as you treat everyone else. Don't speak overly childish or explain any simple action. Nothing feels so denigrating and disparaging as that. When someone with an ASD disorder asks you to take notice of something or asks you to do something differently, just do it. But .... Do not overdo it!
Touch someone with Classical Autism only when absolutely necessary. Someone with Classical Autism can panic when being thouched.
When someone with Classical Autism refuses to walk along a particular street (eg because there is a lot of noise) don't force him or her. When you walk around the block it will take a lot less time and you will see that the other person will be more comfortable. And you will be eventually too.
Structure is very important for someone with Classical Autism (also for someone with a different form of ASD). The smallest change in structure can lead to (a lot of) panic or anger. It is therefore a good idea to ensure that throughout the day there is structure. At school the teacher can, for example on the blackboard write down what will be done that day, and it will then keep that planning.
