How to make adjustments for autistic people - a thread for life. Based on my own experiences and opinion.

Please read and share.

#autism
#autistic

1. Be OK if we don't make eye contact. With us it doesn't (necessarily!) mean we're shifty or untrustworthy at all - don't judge us on this as eye contact us extremely intimate and sensitive for us. #autism

2. Give us space when we need it, as much as practical. Many autistic people need time alone somewhere quiet to decompress. We need this time far more frequently than neurotypicals. #autism

3. Let us stim. Unless it is harmful to us or others, there is no reason not to. For many #autistic people it is one of our best, easiest to use safety valves that allows us to vent some pressure - preventing this is cruel. #autism

4. Allow us to know and set our routine. As far as possible, let us follow our routines closely. It's a huge relief to know our baseline stress won't be impacted by any further surprises or unusual events. #autism

5. Allow us our hyperfixations, our 'special interests'. If you can, take an interest and talk to us about them. Please don't mock us, even in jest. We rely on our interests, many of us. #autism

6. Allow us to modify our environment to remove sensory triggers, such as strong smells, bright lights, uncomfortable textures etc. These can overwhelm us so quickly and badly - it is kind to allow us this. #autism

7. Give us space. Don't sit right next to us, don't crowd us, don't make physical contact without consent. Even handshakes, cheek kissing and all those other irritating norms are very hard for many of us. #autism

8. Don't stereotype us or make false assumptions based on poor information. We are all very different and assuming, say, we all love trains is insulting. #autism

9. Please give us time to respond - don't expect verbal answers immediately. These things take us longer, and not because we are foolish. We often weigh our words very heavily, choosing them carefully. #autism

10. Please ask and check with individual #autistic people, as we are all very different, with different needs and adjustments. This is the most important one. #autism

As always, I leave this here so maybe one day educating everyone about autism will be my job. I can dream.

I hope this was useful. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/UfTVnRY