How to Help a Friend with Autism

Task: Read each situation carefully and tick the box next to the best way to support your friend with autism. 1. Your friend with autism seems overwhelmed at a loud event. What should you do?

• Encourage them to take a break in a quiet space

• Tell them to ignore the noise and stay in the crowd

• Laugh and say they should get used to it

Your friend struggles to understand jokes and sarcasm. How can you help?

• Explain the joke in a clear way if they seem confused

• Tell them they should learn to 'get it' like everyone else

• Avoid joking around them completely

Your friend finds it hard to join conversations. What’s a good way to include them?

• Ask them direct questions about topics they enjoy

• Wait for them to speak up on their own

• Talk over them when they try to join in

Your friend gets anxious with changes in routine. What could you do?

• Give them advance notice about any changes

• Surprise them with sudden changes to 'help them adapt'

• Ignore their concerns and tell them to 'go with the flow'

Your friend doesn’t like making eye contact. How should you react?

• Stare at them

• Insist they look at you to show respect

• Accept that eye contact might make them uncomfortable

Your friend enjoys talking about a specific interest a lot. How should you respond?

• Listen and show interest in what they enjoy

• Change the subject because it’s repetitive

• Tell them to stop talking about it so much

Your friend finds loud noises overwhelming. How can you support them?

• Tell them they are being too sensitive

• Make loud noises around them to see if they can handle it

• Offer noise-cancelling headphones or suggest moving somewhere quieter

Your friend prefers clear and direct communication. What should you do?

• Use lots of sarcasm

• Speak to them in a clear and straightforward way

• Avoid talking to them altogether

Your friend is struggling with group activities. How can you help?

• Leave them out

• Tell them to just keep up with everyone else

• Find a way to involve them in a way they feel comfortable

Your friend feels stressed in crowded places. What’s the best way to help?

• Ignore them

• Tell them to ‘just deal with it’

• Offer to stay with them in a quieter area