RECOGNIZE
A Person With Autism May:
| appear "spacey" or as if on drugs
fail to interact, respond, or establish eye contact with you or others
touch strangers in socially inappropriate ways
not understand even simple instructions or the presence of authority
have an extreme reaction to sound, touch, taste, or light
appear to be unexplainably angry or aggressive or in pain
cup hands over ears as if hearing is painful
act unusually nervous, passive, or hyper
spin or wiggle an object repeatedly or sift dirt, dust, etc.
be preoccupied with arranging or looking at objects
shake his or her fingers, hands, arms, or head repeatedly
exhibit inappropriate screaming, laughing, giggling, or other sounds
injure himself or herself
run or climb into dangerous situations
have little or no appreciation of danger
hear or see something only after a delay of several seconds or more
be disoriented in space and time
"perseverate"--that is, repeat a simple task or movement over and over
seem to ignore you or seem to be deafrepeat a sound or words over and over ("echolalia")
react strongly and irrationally if a pattern is interrupted
have no speech, or not be understandable
confuse "me" and "you" or other pronouns
be carrying a communication device
seem to have no or little muscle tone
walk on tiptoes
seem to have unusual skills in math, art, music, or other areas
speak more loudly than necessary
make inappropriate comments or ask personal questions of strangers
be dressed inappropriately
rock or pant, or exhibit other unusual behaviors
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PAUSE
Maintaining A Distance Will:
| permit the person to complete a pattern of behavior
give the person an opportunity to respond to your presence
permit a calm, quiet atmosphere to develop
prevent possible overstimulation or confusion
reduce reaction to light reflection from your buckles or other metal items
prevent possible overstimulation and reactions from others in the area
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OBSERVE
By Observing You May Learn:
| whether he or she is engaged in an activity
important information about the person's behavior pattern
whether he or she is injured
if he or she is holding any objects
if he or she is trying to leave the area or is lost
if he or she is repeating a motion or activity ("perseverating")
if he or she is reacting to something or someone in the environment
if he or she has language and/or can respond to soundsif a nearby person is with him or her
if he or she is wearing a medic alert bracelet or shoe lace tag | |
DOWNLOAD SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEETS FOR YOUR USE:
[These are in .doc, .rtf, and .pdf formats; request other formats by email]
Basic Information About Autism To Carry In The Pocket:
Gives basic information about autism.
Warns of unusual behaviors and assures that no harm is intended.
Designed to be printed out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper (landscape setting).
Cut into 3 strips that fold into business-card size for carrying in his/her pocket.
.doc format .rtf format .pdf format
Contact and Emergency Information To Be Carried In The Pocket:
Gives name, address, and contact information about the person carrying it.
Designed for situations where the person is lost in a store or other public place.
Alter for your situation, print out, and place in his/her pocket.
.doc format .rtf format .pdf format
Information for Neighbors:
Gives basic information about a person with autism to distribute to the neighbors.
Especially for situations where the person with autism may wander into adjoining yards.
Designed for spreading awareness about the person with autism.
Reassure the neighbors that the person is not a criminal or intending harm.
Alter for your situation, print out, and distribute.
.doc format .rtf format .pdf format
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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