Please Be Very Specific When Making a Request of an Autistic
“There’s dog poop on the floor.” To a neurotypical person, this is a request. To an autistic person, this is a statement of fact. My aunt said that to me once, and I said,...
Author: jaimeaheidel
How an Autistic Person Will Thank You Without Words
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have gotten into trouble for not saying “Thank you” after receiving a gift or for somebody making something, doing something for me, or...
How to Ask an Autistic Person a Question Without Scaring Us
For many autistic people, being asked a question is nerve-wracking and uncomfortable. Here’s a more effective way to ask your autistic loved one a question without scaring them.
Questions Make Us Nervous
Why does my autistic loved one dodge questions? Are they hiding something? Probably not. Here’s what’s REALLY happening when you ask us a question.
Startled Does Not Equal “Guilty”
Pretty deer (doe fawn) with an alert expression and large ears against a green woodland backdrop with text that reads: “Startled Does Not Equal Guilty”
We Don’t Pretend to Be Confused
This is one of those things I found out about the difference between neurotypical behavior and autistic behavior that felt like a punch to the gut. Apparently, in neurotypical society, showing confusion and asking...
No, I Do Not Use My Emotions to Manipulate Others
Are autistic people manipulative with their emotions? Not as a rule! It’s a common misconception that autistic people “overreact” or use emotional outbursts to get what we want. What’s really happening might shock you.
Why Borrowing Someone’s Stapler Is Harder for an Autistic Person
I promise I’m going somewhere with this! 😄 OK, so if you’ve ever attended public or private school or had an office job, you’ll be familiar with this scenario: You’ve got a bunch of papers...
Why Is Disappointment so Agonizing for Autistics?
Why do autistic people seem to handle disappointment so poorly? It’s a combination of being literal, needing routine to survive, and being unable to do things out of order.
Yes, Autistic People Have Empathy!
Do autistic people lack empathy? No! In fact, many autistic people actually experience MORE empathy because the emotions they feel from others come in unfiltered and all at once.
