Disability Awareness78455c2ccb400d517780-dac10a94c714bbb9d8050040bb216432.r90…Disability Awareness...
Transcript of Disability Awareness78455c2ccb400d517780-dac10a94c714bbb9d8050040bb216432.r90…Disability Awareness...
Disability Awareness Disability symbols were designed for use by both public and private entities to advertise available facilities to patrons both people with disabilities and those with differing abilities. Below are some typical symbols.
Disability Access Sign Symbol Meanings:1. Universal Information Symbol2. International Symbol of Accessibility3. Symbol indicating Audio Description for Theatre & Live
Performances4. Audio Description for TV, Films & Video5. Large Print / Accessible Print Symbol6. Symbol indicating Access for Individuals Who Are Blind
or Have Low Vision7. Braille Symbol8. Telephone Typewriter Symbol9. Sign Language Interpretation Symbol10. Assistive Listening Systems Symbol (Ear)11. Assistive Listening System Symbol (Telephone)12. Closed Captioning Symbol
Disability Awareness Disability symbols were designed for use by both public and private entities to advertise available facilities to patrons both people with disabilities and those with differing abilities. Below are some typical symbols.
Disability Access Sign Symbol Meanings:1. Universal Information Symbol2. International Symbol of Accessibility3. Symbol indicating Audio Description for Theatre & Live
Performances4. Audio Description for TV, Films & Video5. Large Print / Accessible Print Symbol6. Symbol indicating Access for Individuals Who Are Blind
or Have Low Vision7. Braille Symbol8. Telephone Typewriter Symbol9. Sign Language Interpretation Symbol10. Assistive Listening Systems Symbol (Ear)11. Assistive Listening System Symbol (Telephone)12. Closed Captioning Symbol
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Accessibility means more than installing ramps. It means considering inclusive language that is not offensive. “People with disabilities” and “people with differing abilities” are commonly used. Below is a short list of some acceptable and not acceptable words or phrases.
ACCEPTABLE NOT ACCEPTABLE
cerebral palsy/paraplegia/physical disability---------------------------------------------
crippled, spastic
------------------------------------------------
cognitive or intellectual impairment---------------------------------------------
retarded, mongoloid
------------------------------------------------
communication disorder/unable to speak, deaf---------------------------------------------
dumb/deaf-mute, hearing-impaired
---------------------------------------------
disability---------------------------------------------
Handicap---------------------------------------------
psychiatric disability---------------------------------------------
insane, crazy, deranged---------------------------------------------
uses a wheelchair---------------------------------------------
wheelchair bound/confined to a wheelchair---------------------------------------------
has or had a disability---------------------------------------------
stricken, victim, or suffering from---------------------------------------------
accessible parking/seating/restrooms---------------------------------------------
handicapped parking/seating/restrooms------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disability Awareness Accessibility means more than installing ramps. It means considering inclusive language that is not offensive. “People with disabilities” and “people with differing abilities” are commonly used. Below is a short list of some acceptable and not acceptable words or phrases.
ACCEPTABLE NOT ACCEPTABLE
cerebral palsy/paraplegia/physical disability---------------------------------------------
crippled, spastic
---------------------------------------------
cognitive or intellectual impairment---------------------------------------------
retarded, mongoloid
---------------------------------------------
communication disorder/unable to speak, deaf---------------------------------------------
dumb/deaf-mute, hearing-impaired
---------------------------------------------
disability---------------------------------------------
Handicap---------------------------------------------
psychiatric disability---------------------------------------------
insane, crazy, deranged---------------------------------------------
uses a wheelchair---------------------------------------------
wheelchair bound/confined to a wheelchair---------------------------------------------
has or had a disability---------------------------------------------
stricken, victim, or suffering from---------------------------------------------
accessible parking/seating/restrooms---------------------------------------------
handicapped parking/seating/restrooms------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness American Sign Language (ASL) is the preferred language for the Deaf community, those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deafblind. When one sees a capital ‘D’ in the word Deaf, it indicates cultural deafness within what is discussed or stated. Besides indicating hearing loss, the small ‘d’ in deaf indicates someone who is not culturally deaf. Most Deaf people DO NOT read lips. Learning the manual alphabet can help bridge short communication, learning the language will bridge relationships.
My name is (fingerspell your name)
Disability Awareness American Sign Language (ASL) is the preferred language for the Deaf community, those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deafblind. When one sees a capital ‘D’ in the word Deaf, it indicates cultural deafness within what is discussed or stated. Besides indicating hearing loss, the small ‘d’ in deaf indicates someone who is not culturally deaf. Most Deaf people DO NOT read lips. Learning the manual alphabet can help bridge short communication, learning the language will bridge relationships.
My name is (fingerspell your name)Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness
1. Avoid the "you're so inspirational" remarks.We are just trying to live our lives like everyone else. Your comment will have the negative effect, reminding us how different people still think we are.2. Whatever you do, don't talk louder.The presence of a mobility aid does not mean we're can't hear.3. Ask before helping.It may be hard to resist, but automatically helping us without asking first should never be done. We know when to ask for help. 4. Don't lean on our wheelchairs.From our perspective, it's one of the most de-humanizing things you can do. 5. Introduce yourself when speaking with the visually impaired.I've had friends who were blind and one of the most important things you can do when you first meet someone with vision limitations is to introduce yourself. 6. Stay calm - it's only a wheelchair.We are just another ho-hum human, but sitting in a chair on wheels. We're really not as different as you may think. Really.7. Refer to us as person first.Throughout this article, you may have noticed me referring to the disabled population as "people with disabilities." This is called "person first" language and people with disabilities should always be referred to this way in written-form, and in the thought-process as well.8. Save the patronizing for someone else.Avoiding patronizing remarks also ranks high on the list of how-to better interact with people with disabilities. Anything along the lines of "Good for you," "You're so brave," "Wow I'm impressed" should never be uttered. Just remember, again, we are not that different. 9. Talk to us, not whoever is with us.More often than not they'll ask whoever they're with - not them - what they're ordering, sadly assuming the person's disability must affect their mental ability too. 10. When in doubt, refer to the "Golden Rule."When in doubt over how you should treat us, always refer to the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is beautifully simple - treat others as you'd like to be treated. Mutual respect.
Reference: https://blog.themobilityresource.com/blog/post/10-correct-ways-to-interact-with-people-with-disabilities
Need assistance with how to interact with people with disabilities or those with differing abilities? Below are some tips from The Mobility Resource website.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
1. Avoid the "you're so inspirational" remarks.We are just trying to live our lives like everyone else. Your comment will have the negative effect, reminding us how different people still think we are.2. Whatever you do, don't talk louder.The presence of a mobility aid does not mean we're can't hear.3. Ask before helping.It may be hard to resist, but automatically helping us without asking first should never be done. We know when to ask for help. 4. Don't lean on our wheelchairs.From our perspective, it's one of the most de-humanizing things you can do. 5. Introduce yourself when speaking with the visually impaired.I've had friends who were blind and one of the most important things you can do when you first meet someone with vision limitations is to introduce yourself. 6. Stay calm - it's only a wheelchair.We are just another ho-hum human, but sitting in a chair on wheels. We're really not as different as you may think. Really.7. Refer to us as person first.Throughout this article, you may have noticed me referring to the disabled population as "people with disabilities." This is called "person first" language and people with disabilities should always be referred to this way in written-form, and in the thought-process as well.8. Save the patronizing for someone else.Avoiding patronizing remarks also ranks high on the list of how-to better interact with people with disabilities. Anything along the lines of "Good for you," "You're so brave," "Wow I'm impressed" should never be uttered. Just remember, again, we are not that different. 9. Talk to us, not whoever is with us.More often than not they'll ask whoever they're with - not them - what they're ordering, sadly assuming the person's disability must affect their mental ability too. 10. When in doubt, refer to the "Golden Rule."When in doubt over how you should treat us, always refer to the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is beautifully simple - treat others as you'd like to be treated. Mutual respect.
Reference: https://blog.themobilityresource.com/blog/post/10-correct-ways-to-interact-with-people-with-disabilities
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Need assistance with how to interact with people with disabilities or those with differing abilities? Below are some tips from The Mobility Resource website.
Disability Awareness Good mental health is something to strive for everyday. Here are some good reminders for starting your day on the right foot.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Good mental health is something to strive for everyday. Here are some good reminders for starting your day on the right foot.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Reference: www.careers.morganmckinley.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-week
Disability Awareness The opioid overdose epidemic is a problem not only in the U.S., but globally. Sometimes it’s accidental, but can be from abusing illicit substances or prescribed medication. Here are the signs to look for.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness
Reference: http://www.fraserhealth.ca/media/201609signs-of-an-opioid-overdose(1).JPG
The opioid overdose epidemic is a problem not only in the U.S., but globally. Sometimes it’s accidental, but can be from abusing illicit substances or prescribed medication. Here are the signs to look for.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Reference: http://www.fraserhealth.ca/media/201609signs-of-an-opioid-overdose(1).JPG
Disability Awareness Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by troubles with social interaction and communication. Often there is also restricted and repetitive behavior. Below are some strategies to keep in mind.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness
Reference: https://digitalsynopsis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web-designing-for-accessibility-autistic-spectrum.jpg
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by troubles with social interaction and communication. Often there is also restricted and repetitive behavior. Below are more facts.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Reference: http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/autism-what-every-parent-should-know_5374b55a39e8a_w540.jpg
Disability Awareness Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Below are some common signs and symptoms.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Below are some common signs and symptoms.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Alcohol and drug addiction is a pervasive problem, even a deadly problem throughout the world. If physically addicted to alcohol and benzo’s (e.g. Valium) , individuals will need medically monitored detox. Below are some signs to look for.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Disability Awareness Alcohol and drug addiction is a pervasive problem, even a deadly problem throughout the world. If physically addicted to alcohol and benzo’s (e.g. Valium) , individuals will need medically monitored detox. Below are some signs to look for.
Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Reference: http://interventionstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/signs-of-drug-abuse.gifReference: http://interventionstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/signs-of-drug-abuse.gif
Som
e disab
ilities are mo
re ob
viou
s than
oth
ers. Man
y are imm
ediately ap
paren
t, especially if so
meo
ne
relies on
a wh
eelch
air or can
e. Bu
t oth
ers —kn
ow
n as "in
visible" d
isabilities —
are no
t. Peo
ple w
ho
live w
ith th
em face p
articular ch
allenges in
the w
orkp
lace and
in th
eir com
mu
nities.
Carly M
edo
sch, 3
3, see
ms like
any o
ther yo
un
g pro
fession
al in th
e Wash
ingto
n, D
.C. area —
bu
sy, with
a ligh
t laugh
and
a qu
ick smile. Sh
e do
esn't lo
ok sick. B
ut sh
e has su
ffered fro
m C
roh
n's d
isease, an
inflam
mato
ry bo
wel co
nd
ition
, since sh
e was 1
3. Th
ere have b
een tim
es, sh
e says, wh
en sh
e's "been
laying
on
the flo
or in
the b
athro
om
, kind
of th
inkin
g, 'Am
I goin
g to d
ie? Sho
uld
I jum
p o
ut in
fron
t of traffic so
that
I can
die?' B
ecause yo
u're ju
st in so
mu
ch p
ain."
Mo
re recen
tly, she w
as diagn
osed
with
fibro
myalgia, a co
nd
ition
that leaves h
er in a state o
f full-b
od
y ch
ron
ic pain
and
inte
nse fatigu
e.Fo
r Med
osch
and
oth
ers wh
o stru
ggle with
an in
visible d
isability, o
ccasion
al ho
spital stays an
d su
rgeries are n
ot th
e hard
part. M
un
dan
e, everyday activities can
be m
ore d
ifficult.
"Wash
ing m
y hair, b
low
-dryin
g my h
air, pu
tting o
n m
akeup
—th
ose kin
d o
f activities can exh
aust m
e very q
uickly," says M
edo
sch. "So
you
kind
of b
low
-dry yo
ur h
air and
then
you
sort o
f sit do
wn
for a little b
it."W
alking to
the su
bw
ay or even
ben
din
g do
wn
to p
ick som
ethin
g up
can take
a lot o
ut o
f her. B
ut th
at isn't
app
arent fro
m th
e ou
tside.
"I kind
of call it b
eing ab
le to p
ass," she says. "So
I can p
ass as a no
rmal, h
ealthy, average p
erson
, wh
ich is
great and
defin
itely help
s ease m
y everyday life —
especially in
interactio
ns w
ith stran
gers, getting yo
ur fo
ot
in th
e do
or in
a situatio
n like
a job
inte
rview."
It is hard
to p
inp
oin
t the n
um
ber o
f Am
erican
s with
an in
visible d
isability, b
ut it's estim
ated
there are
millio
ns. Th
eir con
ditio
ns m
ay range fro
m lu
pu
s to b
ipo
lar diso
rder o
r diab
etes. The severity o
f each
perso
n's co
nd
ition
varies, and
the fear o
f stigma m
eans th
at peo
ple o
ften
prefer n
ot to
talk abo
ut th
eir illn
esses.
Bu
t in e
mp
loym
ent d
isability d
iscrimin
ation
charges filed
with
the Eq
ual Em
plo
ymen
t Op
po
rtun
ity C
om
missio
n b
etwe
en 2
00
5 an
d 2
01
0, th
e mo
st com
mo
nly cite
d co
nd
ition
s we
re invisib
le on
es, accord
ing to
an
alysis by re
searchers at C
orn
ell Un
iversity's Em
plo
ymen
t and
Disab
ility Institu
te."Yo
u kn
ow
, it's that in
visible n
ature o
f an illn
ess that p
eop
le do
n't u
nd
erstand
," says Wayn
e Co
nn
ell, the
fou
nd
er and
head
of th
e Invisib
le Disab
ilities Asso
ciation
. He starte
d th
e grou
p after h
is wife w
as diagn
osed
w
ith Lym
e disease an
d m
ultip
le sclerosis.
"We
'd p
ark in d
isabled
parkin
g and
she d
idn
't use a w
hee
lchair o
r a cane, an
d so
peo
ple w
ou
ld alw
ays give
us d
irty loo
ks and
scream at u
s," he recalls.
"Wh
en th
ey see so
meo
ne in
a wh
eelch
air, OK
, they get th
at they're in
a wh
eelch
air. Bu
t wh
at if they h
ave ch
ron
ic pain
, wh
at if they h
ave PTSD
—an
ythin
g from
cancer to
perip
heral n
euro
path
y to au
tism?"
Med
osch
has h
ad sim
ilar experien
ces with
her h
and
icapp
ed p
arking tags. Sh
e also says th
at she faced
ch
allenges o
btain
ing acco
mm
od
ation
s from
a pro
spective em
plo
yer.Jo
yce Smith
ey, a lawyer w
ho
specializes in
labo
r and
em
plo
ymen
t, says that's n
ot u
nco
mm
on
. Wh
en p
eop
le w
ith in
visible d
isabilities req
uest acco
mm
od
ation
s, Smith
ey says, som
e emp
loyers resp
on
d, "W
e d
on
't do
th
at as a po
licy.""A
nd
that's a p
rob
lem," Sm
ithey says. "B
ecause th
at perso
n is n
ot askin
g to p
artake of a b
enefit th
at's o
ffered in
a po
licy; that p
erson
is asking fo
r an acco
mm
od
ation
they're en
titled to
un
der th
e law."
Wh
en a d
isability isn
't imm
ediately o
bvio
us, o
thers —
at wo
rk, scho
ol o
r even at h
om
e —so
metim
es do
ub
t it exists an
d accu
se tho
se wh
o su
ffer from
invisib
le con
ditio
ns o
f simp
ly anglin
g for sp
ecial treatmen
t.M
edo
schsays sh
e's com
fortab
le bein
g vocal ab
ou
t her d
isability n
ow
becau
se she's w
ell p
rote
cted
at her
curren
t job
. She h
op
es discu
ssing h
er ow
n exp
erience w
ill help
bo
ost u
nd
erstand
ing, b
ut ackn
ow
ledges
invisib
le disab
ility can b
e hard
to fath
om
—esp
ecially wh
en so
man
y peo
ple w
ho
live with
it seem
, o
utw
ardly, at least, to
be ju
st like everyo
ne else.
Peop
le With
'Invisib
le Disab
ilities' Fight Fo
r Un
derstan
din
g
Ma
rch
8, 2
01
55
:18
PM
ET
He
ard
on A
ll Th
ing
s C
onsid
ere
d
Referen
ce: ww
w.n
pr.o
rg/20
15/03
/08/3
9151
7412
/peo
ple
-with
-invisib
le-disab
ilities-figh
t-for-u
nd
erstand
ing
Place on Bulletin Board or Church Website
10
Step
s for H
ealth
y Agin
gLivin
g a health
y lifestyle beco
mes even
mo
re imp
ortan
t for b
etter aging. Th
e thin
gs we d
o to
keep
b
od
y and
heart h
ealthy—
nu
tritiou
s diet, p
hysical activity, an
d so
cial con
nectio
ns –
also can
help
p
rom
ote b
rain h
ealth an
d w
ellness. H
ere are 10
steps fo
r successfu
l aging:
1. Eat W
ellA
do
pt a lo
w-fat d
iet high
on
fruits an
d veggies, like straw
berries, b
lueb
erries and
bro
ccoli. Take d
aily vitam
ins. Lim
it intake o
f red m
eats, fried an
d p
rocessed
foo
ds, salt an
d su
gar.
2. Stay A
ctiveB
risk walkin
g ben
efits brain
health
, wh
ile aerob
ics can b
oo
st you
r heart rate, an
d w
eight train
ing
bu
ilds stren
gth an
d flexib
ility.
3. Learn
New
Thin
gsP
ick up
a new
ho
bb
y like playin
g tenn
is, learn to
speak a fo
reign lan
guage, try a co
okin
g class, or
som
ethin
g you
haven
’t do
ne b
efore.
4. G
et Eno
ugh
SleepA
t least 7 to
9 h
ou
rs is a goo
d n
ight’s rest. In
som
nia o
r sleep ap
nea can
have serio
us p
hysical effects
and
negatively affect m
emo
ry and
thin
king.
5. M
ind
You
r Med
sM
edicatio
n can
affect everyon
e differen
tly, especially as yo
u age. A
med
ication
that d
idn
’t trigger sid
e effects in th
e past can
sud
den
ly cause an
abn
orm
al reaction
. Talk to yo
ur d
octo
r abo
ut all
med
ication
s, wh
ether o
ver-the
-cou
nter o
r prescrip
tion
s.
6. Sto
p Sm
okin
g and
Limit A
lcoh
ol
Smo
king can
increase th
e risk of o
ther serio
us illn
esses, wh
ile too
mu
ch alco
ho
l can im
pair
jud
gmen
t and
cause accid
ents, in
clud
ing falls, b
roken
bo
nes, an
d car crash
es.
7. Stay C
on
nected
Invite frien
ds an
d fam
ily over fo
r a meal, b
oard
game
s, or ju
st to h
ang o
ut. M
aintain
ing an
active so
cial life is imp
ortan
t for m
ental h
ealth an
d kee
pin
g a po
sitive attitud
e.
8. Kn
ow
You
r Blo
od
Pressu
reIf yo
ur b
loo
d p
ressure is h
igh, get it u
nd
er con
trol u
nd
er the su
pervisio
n o
f a health
care p
rofessio
nal.
9. See Yo
ur D
octo
rM
aintain
checku
ps. H
ealth scree
nin
gs are key to m
anagin
g chro
nic illn
esses, such
as diab
etes, card
iovascu
lar disease, an
d o
besity. Sp
eak with
you
r ph
ysician ab
ou
t any co
ncern
s or q
uestio
ns yo
u
have ab
ou
t you
r health
.
10
. Get a M
emo
ry Screen
ing
Ou
r brain
s nee
d regu
lar checku
ps, ju
st as oth
er parts o
f ou
r bo
dies d
o. A
mem
ory scree
nin
g is a q
uick, easy, n
on
-invasive exam
for o
ur b
rains. Talk to
you
r do
ctor ab
ou
t getting a scree
nin
g as part
of yo
ur an
nu
al welln
ess exam o
r call the A
lzheim
er’s Fou
nd
ation
of A
me
rica at 86
6-2
32
-84
84
.R
eference: h
ttps://alzfd
n.o
rg/10
-steps-fo
r-health
y-aging/
Place on Bulletin Board or Church Website
10
Tips o
n H
ow
to C
om
mu
nicate w
ith th
ose
on
the A
utism
Sp
ectru
mG
uest P
ost b
y Steve Sum
mers*
1. P
lease always ke
ep in
min
d th
at com
mu
nicatio
n d
ifficulties are co
mm
on
with
Au
tism. W
e h
ave difficu
lties in
read
ing so
cial cues an
d b
od
y langu
age. Be p
atient an
d u
nd
erstand
ing.
2. W
e te
nd
to take
thin
gs literally an
d h
ave o
ften
trou
ble read
ing b
etwe
en th
e lines. A
s a result, w
e m
ay ask a lo
t of q
uestio
ns to
clarify wh
at is mean
t by so
meth
ing th
at you
say. I have b
een
told
that I ask a lo
t of
qu
estion
s. Do
n’t b
e offen
ded
by th
is. It is ou
r way o
f bein
g sure th
at we
un
derstan
d w
hat yo
u are te
lling u
s. W
e m
ay repeat b
ack to yo
u in
ou
r ow
n w
ord
s to try an
d get o
n th
e same p
age as you
.3
. If we
misu
nd
erstand
som
ethin
g that yo
u say, p
lease be p
atient an
d exp
and
on
wh
at you
said an
d exp
lain
wh
at you
mean
t. Do
n’t assu
me a n
egative or h
ostile in
ten
t from
us if w
e m
isun
derstan
d so
meth
ing th
at you
said
. Ke
ep in
min
d th
at com
mu
nicatio
n can
be d
ifficult fo
r us. Th
ings th
at com
e natu
rally to yo
u take
extra effo
rt by u
s.4
. Please d
on
’t get offen
ded
by o
ur co
mm
un
ication
style. We te
nd
to b
e frank, h
on
est and
matter o
f fact. So
me p
eop
le may in
terp
ret this as b
lun
t or ru
de. W
e do
n’t in
ten
d to
offen
d yo
u b
y no
t sugar co
ating th
e th
ings th
at we
say. We
do
n’t in
ten
d to
be ru
de. P
lease do
n’t get d
efensive o
r assum
e that w
e are attackin
g yo
u. R
emem
ber th
at com
mu
nicatin
g is hard
for u
s. Do
n’t m
ake negative
assum
ptio
ns. To
o o
ften
we
get co
rrected o
r attacked b
y som
eon
e wh
o fails to
give us so
me slack an
d th
e ben
efit of th
e do
ub
t.5
. Please d
on
’t expect eye co
ntact. W
e m
ay be ab
le to fo
rce eye con
tact, bu
t it is no
t com
fortab
le for u
s. M
aking eye co
ntact take
s a con
sciou
s effort. Th
is effort m
ay take aw
ay from
listen
ing an
d u
nd
erstand
ing
wh
at you
are saying. I te
nd
to lo
ok at a p
erson
’s mo
uth
mo
re often
than
their eyes. O
ther au
tistic peo
ple w
ill rarely lo
ok at yo
ur face. Th
is is ok.
6. P
lease keep
in m
ind
that w
e m
ost like
ly have b
een
rejected
, exclud
ed, rid
iculed
or b
ullied
in th
e past. If w
e
seem
anxio
us o
r insecu
re this m
ay be d
ue to
living in
a wo
rld th
at misu
nd
erstand
s us an
d is o
ften h
ostile to
u
s. We
have to
wo
rk hard
to reach
ou
t to o
thers. P
lease wo
rk at reachin
g back to
us w
ith u
nd
erstand
ing an
d
kind
ness. If w
e fee
l that yo
u are ign
orin
g us w
e w
ill feel b
ad ab
ou
t that. W
e may p
ersist in askin
g for
feed
back fro
m yo
u. P
lease be reassu
ring an
d clearly exp
ress you
r sup
po
rt for u
s.7
. Please d
on
’t speak d
ow
n to
us. Treat u
s as equ
als. We
may so
un
d flat o
r have an
un
usu
al ton
e to o
ur vo
ice. W
e may n
ot sp
eak with
ou
r voice at all. W
e may n
eed to
type o
ur w
ord
s. Please b
e patien
t with
us. It m
ay take
us a w
hile to
form
ulate o
ur an
swe
rs.8
. Please d
on
’t talk too
lou
dly o
r yell at us. It is very jarrin
g to u
s. It makes m
e jum
p w
hen
som
eon
e com
es up
to
me an
d talks to
o lo
ud
ly. It is like h
aving so
meo
ne ju
mp
ou
t in th
e dark yellin
g “BO
O!” at m
e. It causes an
ad
renalin
du
mp
in m
y bo
dy. I d
on
’t like th
is.9
. Please d
o N
OT to
uch
us w
itho
ut w
arnin
g. It will m
ake us ju
mp
. We d
on
’t like u
nexp
ected to
uch
es.1
0. P
lease do
n’t assu
me th
at we
lack emp
athy o
r emo
tion
. We p
ick up
on
negative
or ju
dgm
ental attitu
des.
We
kno
w w
hen
peo
ple lo
ok d
ow
n o
n u
s or are h
ostile to
us. W
e will sh
ut d
ow
n if yo
u sh
ow
us a lack o
f resp
ect.P
lease keep
in m
ind
that w
e are all d
ifferent. Th
ese issu
es will vary fro
m p
erson
to p
erson
. The ab
ove tip
s are w
ritten fro
m m
y persp
ective as an au
tistic perso
n. Th
is is just a gu
ide. Feel free to
ask me an
y qu
estion
s so
that I m
ay expan
d an
d clarify an
y areas that aren
’t clear to yo
u. Th
ank yo
u fo
r readin
g this gu
ide. ~ Steve
Sum
mers
*Steve
Sum
me
rsI w
as d
iag
no
sed w
ith A
sperg
er Synd
rom
e (pa
rt of th
e Au
tism Sp
ectrum
) as a
n a
du
lt. I wa
s dia
gn
osed
fo
llow
ing
my 1
1-yea
r-old
son
’s dia
gn
osis w
ith A
sperg
ers. I am
ha
pp
y to h
ave m
y dia
gn
osis. It w
as like a
ligh
t b
eing
turn
ed o
n th
at illu
min
ated
my en
tire life in a
new
wa
y. No
w I u
nd
erstan
d w
hy I n
ever really ‘fit in
.’ It is like h
avin
g a
hu
ge w
eigh
t lifted o
ff of m
y sho
uld
ers to h
ave m
y dia
gn
osis.
I do
n’t feel th
at p
eop
le sho
uld
ma
ke divisio
ns b
etween
pa
rts of th
e Au
tism Sp
ectrum
. I am
au
tistic an
d I w
an
t to
wo
rk to m
ake th
e wo
rld a
better, m
ore u
nd
erstan
din
g a
nd
accep
ting
pla
ce for a
ll au
tistic peo
ple. W
e need
to
wo
rk tog
ether fo
r the b
enefit o
f all o
n th
e Au
tism Sp
ectrum
.I w
rote th
is list du
e to co
ntin
uin
g d
ifficulties th
at I h
ave h
ad
with
the g
ive an
d ta
ke of co
mm
un
icatin
g w
ith
oth
ers. Ma
ny p
eop
le seem to
o ea
sily offen
ded
beca
use th
ey fail to
un
dersta
nd th
ese thin
gs a
bo
ut m
e. We a
ll n
eed u
nd
erstan
din
g a
nd
accep
tan
ce.
Referen
ce: http
s://au
tismu
m.co
m/2
01
2/0
5/0
7/1
0-tip
s-on
-ho
w-to
-com
mu
nica
te-with
-au
tistic-peo
ple/
Place on Bulletin Board or Church Website