Autism & Language
“I need a bit of a kick start.”
“Give me a break.”
“I nearly jumped out of my skin!”
Heard these types of phrases before? Most of us have, and many of us use these or other similar phrases at times.
People often use words (or language) to imply a meaning that is vastly different to the words literal meaning. Most of us understand these different meanings and can put the words into context, but to a person with an autism spectrum disorder, this ‘understanding’ can be very difficult.
This is because it is common for people with autism to understand and use language purely in its ‘literal’ sense.
With reference to the 3 phrases above, then, a person with autism may be surprised that you need ‘kicking’ in order to begin something. And they may be confused that you want to be given something broken. And they definitely wouldn’t understand how your body could jump out of your skin (and jump back in again - how is this possible?!?).
And for a person with autism, imagine how strange and scary the world would seem if you were brought up to love and care for people, and taught that hurting and killing people is bad, to one day have your mother (who was having a bad day) say, “If you touch that I’ll shoot you!” (When you went to pick up her precious antique china vase that had been in the family for generations.)
Language can be complex, and to many people with autism it can be a struggle. So when communicating with a person who has autism, choose your words carefully - and if you are receiving blank stares in response to your language, try rephrasing your words or explaining what you mean.
Being understanding and thoughtful with the language you use can go a long way to helping a person with autism feel comfortable in their surroundings and in the social environment.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
When my daughter was in kindegarten her teacher began saying to the kids, “Zip your lips!” whenever she wanted the room to be quiet. She came home so upset talking about how she had to ‘zip her lips’ shut. She takes everything literally. I would get so frustrated when the school would use sayings like these. I would try and explain the confusion they caused her but it never helped.