Communication

People with autism can have difficulty with social communication and social interactions. This heavily impacts on the person’s ability to communicate their emotions and thoughts to others.
It also impacts on the individual’s ability to read and understand other people’s emotions and intentions. This can make the world a very confusing place for someone on the autism spectrum.

What is social communication?

Social communication is how we interact with others. This includes both verbal and non-verbal language. Tone of voice, body language, hand gestures and facial expressions are all difficult for someone with autism to decode and understand.

Examples of social communication difficulties

It may be more difficult to understand language that has more than one meaning. People often tend to use the same word for multiple reasons which can cause confusion. For example, the words deadly, sound and grand all have multiple meanings.

Someone with autism may find it difficult to have a conversation with others and may unintentionally over talk about their special interest. Despite others trying to change topic, or giving visual cues like checking their watch or looking away, the person will continue to talk.

What is social interaction?

Social interaction involves the ability to recognise and understand other people’s feelings and intentions. Additionally, the ability to express your own emotions is also included under social interaction.

Examples of social interaction difficulties

A child with autism won’t be able to pick up those unwritten rules of social interaction like neurotypical children. For instance, a child may blurt out an inappropriate statement to a stranger.

A teenager may have difficulty with the difference between public and private conversations and may discuss something personal to strangers.

A visual representation of social communication difficulties

Aspire Productions documentary about Asperger syndrome has a character called Gary. Gary struggles with social communication and social interaction. Watch this short clip to see the world from his perspective.

A teenager may have difficulty with the difference between public and private conversations and may discuss something personal to strangers.

How to support someone with communication difficulties

There are a lot of things which can be done to support someone with autism who has communication difficulties.

A teenager may have difficulty with the difference between public and private conversations and may discuss something personal to strangers.

Taking things literally
Some people with autism may find it difficult to navigate conversations, most specifically when others are using slang, shortened words or phrases.
Try to avoid using sarcasm, irony, exaggeration or rhetorical questions. However, if you do, explain what you really mean.

 

Processing information seems difficult

Some people with autism may struggle with processing information. Some people may begin to repeat themselves if they do not get a response. However, it is important to be patient.

It can sometimes be the environment which is causing the person to take longer to respond. The environment may have too much sensory stimulation. This makes it more difficult to tune out unnecessary information and tune in to what you are saying.

Use specific words and talk slowly and clearly.

If the person seems anxious, try to avoid using too many gestures, facial expressions or eye contact. This will prevent an overload of the senses.

Count to ten before you continue to talk. This gives the person with autism time to process the information already given.

Seeming to not pay attention or respond

Use the person’s name to get their attention.

The person may be more interested in their special interest. Talk to them about this, and then once you have their attention, steer the conversation in the way you wanted to.

The person may be overwhelmed. If they seem anxious, give them space and try again in a while.