I started checking out Autism to help me better understand a teen neighbour.
He doesn't like physical or eye contact, speaks a few words intermittently in a soft fast mutter (I'm fairly deaf). He is not yet continent and needs full personal care.
I help out by being there occasionally if his parents need someone. His mum jokes that I'm not too good at autistic care because I don't force him to look me in the eye, sit at the dining instead of coffee table to eat, and won't let him pull apart my phone or computer when he is at my home.
However, he seems to not mind my company anyway.
So... I thought I would check out the autism community to see where I am going wrong.
From what I gather, my discomfort at forcing his behaviour is actually ok, and I don't really need to change how we interact.
His parents are also right according to many.
While I was browsing, I read about some autistic traits that I also have.
Face blindness - wow you mean other people have this? I thought it was just me.
Super bright in some areas, super dim in others.
Lousy social skills and empathy at school
Clumsy, hated team games
Hated "girly " play, usually dissected dolls instead
Prefer working by myself than in a group
Voracious reader, weird sense of humour.
So.... G'day fellow humans.
13 Feb 2013, 9:34 pm
