Good Social Tips for Children With Autism

Children with autism have a different way of viewing the world. We can learn volumes from their perspective and sometimes their candid manner makes us laugh and cringe. Here are some social etiquette tips we can teach child with autism.

REPETITIVE
"Produced by DreamWorks and coming to a theater near you" says your son to his aunt for the 38th time in a row. As patient as she is, even she can't bear to hear it one more time and she says "I know. You already told me that."

Social Etiquette Tip
When somebody says "You already told me that" it's time to change the conversation. You could ask "What do you want to talk about?" or you could think of something new to say.

SOMETIMES THINGS CHANGE
Your husband's business partner stopped over for a quick meeting. You never noticed that he always wears a baseball cap but your son has and he doesn't like this change. In his mind, this man belongs with a baseball cap. No matter what you say, and to your utter embarrassment, you cringe as your son continually finds a way to try and put a baseball cap on this his head.

Social Etiquette Tip
It feels good when things stay the same but sometimes people change and things change. If people change the way they look, it might seem different. If you give it some time, you will see that even though it's different, it's still OK.

STAYING ON TOPIC
Your son is playing at a friend's house and you're relieved it's going smoothly. Just then the hostess asks your son "Do you want some juice?" to which he replies "The car fell in the prickly pear. Ha Ha Ha!" She looks at him oddly and your heart sinks.

Social Etiquette Tip
We all think lots of thoughts every day. When someone asks you a question you should answer them. If you didn't hear the question you should ask "What did you say?" After you answer you can say "I want to tell you what I was just thinking."

AVOIDANCE
Eating lunch in the mall you unexpectedly see your son's school teacher. "That looks delicious" she tells your son. "What's your favorite food?" Having tried to convince her for weeks that your child's comprehension is better than she thinks, you're distraught when your son says "Peanut butter" a food you both know he's severely allergic to and hasn't eaten in years.

Social Etiquette Tip
Giving the wrong answer is not a good way to get someone off your back. It's better to say "I don't feel like talking now. Let's talk later."

GIVING A GIFT
At the end of year class party you encourage your son to hand his teacher a thank you gift. He takes the gift and walks towards his teacher while you eagerly watch from your chair. He approaches the teacher who is talking to someone else. Without a word and without looking at her, he thrusts the gift in her belly and continues walking, leaving the gift falling to the floor.

Social Etiquette Tip
Getting a gift makes people happy. If you're giving a gift to someone you should walk up to them. If they're talking to someone else you can say "Excuse me." If they're not looking at you it's a good idea to tap their arm to get their attention. Then hold the gift out to them and say "This is for you."

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