How to Talk to An Autistic Child: Strategies for Positive Interactions

If you are looking for information and insights on how to talk to an autistic child, this article is for you. Whether you are a parent of an autistic child, another family member, their teacher, faith leader, coach, counselor, or friend, the following tips for how to interact with an autistic child will significantly enhance your ability to communicate with the child in your life.  

Tips for Interacting With Autism

Successful interactions with autistic kids begin with building a rapport. A good place to start is meeting each autistic child where they are. For example:

  • Be willing to be flexible. Autistic kids often are slower to adapt to new situations. Be flexible with plans and expectations. 

  • Practice patience. Autistic children may require more time to take in and process information.

  • Lead with positive reinforcement. Be liberal with praise. Everyone likes to be acknowledged for good behavior, and this is especially true for autistic children. 

  • Show interest. Many people mistakenly think that because autistic children don’t seek out physical affection, they do not want or need attention as much as other children. The truth is that they do want you to show an interest. Find out how the child likes to receive attention and affection and offer both generously. 

  • Never take things personally. If an autistic child seems rude, abrupt, or uninterested, understand this is not intentional. Try not to take it personally or react negatively.

Autism Communications Strategies

Even if you have developed a good rapport with an autistic child, communicating can still be challenging. It can seem like a struggle to get and keep an autistic child’s attention. It’s easy to get frustrated, especially if you’re attempting to impart or collect essential information. The following strategies can help. 

Lean Toward the Literal 

Your autistic child may not do well with ambiguity, especially in metaphorical language. As a general rule, along with metaphors, autistic kids often have trouble with sarcasm, irony, idioms, and analogies. Autistic kids do best when you say exactly what you mean in the plainest language possible. Stay away from overly flowery language. Don’t expect an autistic child to read through the lines to interpret your words. Instead, err on the side of speaking in clear and plain terms.

Keep It Short and Simple

The last thing you want to do when attempting to communicate with an autistic child is over-explain or belabor a point. Try to present information in a clear, simple, and straightforward manner. Be as direct as possible and use as few words as possible. And be prepared for a delayed reaction or response. Processing time for autistic children can be longer than for neurotypical children.  

How to Communicate With a Nonverbal Autistic Child

Communicating with a nonverbal autistic child requires additional effort. Consider the following. 

  • Use body language and hand gestures. There are many ways to communicate with body language. Try using facial expressions, pointing, and exaggerating your hand gestures to relay information to your nonverbal autistic child. Be sure to encourage them to do the same by immediately reacting to their attempts to communicate through body movement. 

  • Follow the child’s lead. Imitate the autistic child’s communicating behaviors. If they squeal to show pleasure or grunt to show frustration, let them know you understand by doing the same to them. 

  • Keep talking. Nonverbal autistic children want and need to feel included. Keep up a conversation with them, even if it seems one-sided. They will respond in their own way and in their own time. 

How Autism Specialty Group Can Help

If you’re ready to help your child improve their communication and social skills while increasing their ability to focus, concentrate and engage, then Autism Specialty Group can help. To learn more about our evidence-based methods that produce lasting and meaningful change, contact us today or call 305-676-1924.


References:


University of Rochester, Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=160&contentid=46 

Intermountain Healthcare. https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/pediatrics/2018/09/6-tips-for-interacting-positively-with-children-on-the-autism-spectrum/ 


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