Friend of someone with Autism

I met this guy on the bus and we discovered we had lots in common and I would like think we have become friends. He told me he was diagnosed autistic as a child and although he is a little eccentric, he is really fun to be around and I look forward to the times when we meet up. I am afraid my knowledge of autism is woefully inadequate but is there any 'dos and don'ts' I need to consider as I don't want to do something that loses me what is potentially a very good friend. 

Parents
  • Like any other friend, you have to accept him for what he is.

    Whether autistic or not, we all have likes and dislikes, do things that others may find annoying, and have diffeent ways of doing things.  Your friend's ways although they may seem odd to other people seem perfectly normal to him, and as always the proviso should be if they do no one else any harm, why should anyone else be concerned?

    I know I bore people to death whith my ramblings about subjects which they have no interest, and I'm sure your friend will appreiate someone taking a genuine interest in him, someone who laughs with him not at him.  Autistic people often have a great sense of humour, and I know I can laugh at the things I misinterpret (and I still do get things wrong in a social sense  even at my age of 62).

    Autistic people can be very deep and intense in their thoughts.   I am very prone to random thoughts and often express them at inappropriate times (inappropriate to others that is).  Sometimes your friend may say things a little bluntly, this is just part of being autistic and if you recognise that he is not being deliberately rude, that will be a great help to him and help strengthen your friendship.  There is a good video on you tube about things not to say to an autistic person, (warning, contains strong language) but I think it is very well worth watching.  You can see the clip here

    Good luck for the future.

Reply
  • Like any other friend, you have to accept him for what he is.

    Whether autistic or not, we all have likes and dislikes, do things that others may find annoying, and have diffeent ways of doing things.  Your friend's ways although they may seem odd to other people seem perfectly normal to him, and as always the proviso should be if they do no one else any harm, why should anyone else be concerned?

    I know I bore people to death whith my ramblings about subjects which they have no interest, and I'm sure your friend will appreiate someone taking a genuine interest in him, someone who laughs with him not at him.  Autistic people often have a great sense of humour, and I know I can laugh at the things I misinterpret (and I still do get things wrong in a social sense  even at my age of 62).

    Autistic people can be very deep and intense in their thoughts.   I am very prone to random thoughts and often express them at inappropriate times (inappropriate to others that is).  Sometimes your friend may say things a little bluntly, this is just part of being autistic and if you recognise that he is not being deliberately rude, that will be a great help to him and help strengthen your friendship.  There is a good video on you tube about things not to say to an autistic person, (warning, contains strong language) but I think it is very well worth watching.  You can see the clip here

    Good luck for the future.

Children
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