Why Your Autistic Child May Laugh When You Are Angry
If you are the parent of an autistic child, you may have had moments when your child laughed or smiled while you were furious. In those seconds, it can feel like outright defiance or...
Jaime A. Heidel - The Articulate Autistic Blog
Helping Your Autistic Employees Understand Your Instructions
One of the traits people often associate with autism is literal thinking. Autistic people tend to take words at face value, and this can lead to misunderstandings in both personal and professional settings. In...
Your Autistic Employee Needs Clarity, Not Cheerleading
Imagine you have a new autistic employee who has been with your company for a few months. You have provided accommodations, trained them on the daily routine, and they have settled into their regular...
How Autistic People Often Say ‘Thank You’ Without Using the Words
Throughout my life, I have been scolded many times for not saying “thank you” when it was expected. If someone gave me a gift, took me out, or did me a favor, there was...
Why Autistic Employees Need Clear, Direct Performance Feedback
In many neurotypical workplaces, it is seen as polite and professional to soften negative feedback. Managers hint, use idioms, make light jokes, and rely on tone and facial expressions to signal that someone needs...
Your Autistic Student Isn’t Being Sarcastic, They Take What You Say Literally
Are your autistic students being rude to you? Are you sure? What is mistaken for disrespect and backtalk is often the result of the neurotypical teacher intending to convey a specific, hidden message, and...
Think Twice Before Interrupting an Autistic Co-Worker at Work
In many offices, small talk is part of the culture. Neurotypical employees often enjoy swinging by a desk to chat about weekend plans, last night’s game, or the latest TV show. These quick conversations...
How to Help Your Autistic Co-Workers Feel Safe and Comfortable at Work
Many articles about supporting autistic people in the workplace are aimed at managers and HR. That guidance is important, but it is not the whole story. Autistic employees do not spend most of their...
What an Autistic Brain Is Doing During a “Simple” Chat With a Neurotypical Person
Many autistic people describe how draining it can be to hold a casual conversation with a neurotypical person. Memes, posts, and jokes about this are everywhere. What is harder to find is a clear,...
Why Autistic Career Growth Should Not Depend on Socializing
One of the main reasons many autistic people struggle in the corporate world is not a lack of talent or effort. The problem is that workplaces tend to reward a different focus than the...
