Supporting communication: a 1 minute guide about autism

People with autism often demonstrate differences in their language and communication.

You might see the following:

• Difficulties remembering and understanding everything they hear
• Repetitive language
• Difficulty understanding abstract or non-literal language (e.g Jokes)
• Knowing how to use non-verbal communication
• Unusual volume and rate of speech
• Understanding and expressing feelings and emotions
• Making sense of other people’s non-verbal communication
• Knowing how much information to include
• Social communication skills (e.g taking turns in conversation)

To support these differences, we recommend that you:

• Ensure you have their attention
• Speak slowly and break instructions down
• Keep language clear, avoid double meanings
• Give them time to process
• Use visuals
• Tell them what do to, rather than what not to do
• Teach social rules and behaviours
• Adjust expectations
• Practise social rules and behaviours

For more information

• National Autistic Society – www.autism.org
• Afasic – www.afasic.org.uk
• ICAN – www.ICAN.org.uk