Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew

1. I am first and foremost a child. I have autism. I am not primarily "autistic".
2. My sensory perceptions are disordered.
3. Please remember to distinguish between won't (I choose not to) and can't (I am not able to).
4. I am a concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very literally.
5. Please be patient with my limited vocabulary.
6. Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented.
7. Please focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can't do.
8. Help me with social interactions.
9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns.
10.If you are a family member, please love me unconditionally.

Notbohm, Ellen. Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew. Future Horizons, 2005.

Publisher's website: http://www.fhautism.com/