1. Introduction to autism Seeing the world very differently by Ros Bunney

2. First of all, have a go at playing this game: Identify the following coloursIdentify the following colours

3. What colours are these? 1. Red1. Red 2. Blue2. Blue 3. Green3. Green 4. Yellow4. Yellow Did you get it right?Did you get it right?

4. What colours are these? 1. Crimson1. Crimson 2. Blue2. Blue 3. Emerald3. Emerald 4. Blond4. Blond Did you get it right?Did you get it right?

5. What colours are these? 1. Scarlet1. Scarlet 2. Azure2. Azure 3. Leaf3. Leaf 4. Blond4. Blond Did you get it right?Did you get it right?

6. What colours are these? 1. Scarlet1. Scarlet 2. Sapphire2. Sapphire 3. Leaf3. Leaf 4. Buttercup4. Buttercup Did you get it right?Did you get it right?

7. What colours are these? 1. Crimson1. Crimson 2. Azure2. Azure 3. Emerald3. Emerald 4. Yellow4. Yellow Did you get it right?Did you get it right?

8. Now ask yourself these questions: Did you understand why the same question had a different answer each time?Did you understand why the same question had a different answer each time? Were you able to work out which answer would come up?Were you able to work out which answer would come up? Did you find yourself getting bored or frustrated with the task?Did you find yourself getting bored or frustrated with the task? How did the exercise make you feel?How did the exercise make you feel?

9. Life seen through the autistic spectrum For many autistic people, life is like a game in which you don’t know the rules.For many autistic people, life is like a game in which you don’t know the rules. Other people know the rules, but every time you think you have them worked out, they change.Other people know the rules, but every time you think you have them worked out, they change. These changes seem random and patternless, so they can never be predicted.These changes seem random and patternless, so they can never be predicted.

10. For example: Banging a drum makes an interesting booming noise.Banging a drum makes an interesting booming noise. Banging a tambourine makes an interesting tinkling noise.Banging a tambourine makes an interesting tinkling noise. If you bang someone hard enough, they make an interesting crying noise.If you bang someone hard enough, they make an interesting crying noise. You are usually allowed to do the first 2 of these.You are usually allowed to do the first 2 of these. Someone usually stops you if you try to do the third one.Someone usually stops you if you try to do the third one.

11. Why should this be? All three involve banging something.All three involve banging something. All three make a nice noise.All three make a nice noise. So why should the “rules” of the game change in the third instance?So why should the “rules” of the game change in the third instance?

12. You and I know the answer to that. We can empathise. We put ourselves in other people’s shoes.We can empathise. We put ourselves in other people’s shoes. We know that it hurts when someone thumps us, and so we don’t do it to other people.We know that it hurts when someone thumps us, and so we don’t do it to other people.

13. Autistic people can’t think like this They lack the ability to empathise.They lack the ability to empathise. So to them, this change to the “rule” about banging things is completely arbitrary.So to them, this change to the “rule” about banging things is completely arbitrary. This gives rise to anxiety – if I can bang a drum or a tambourine but not a person, how am I to know what other things I’m allowed or not allowed to bang?This gives rise to anxiety – if I can bang a drum or a tambourine but not a person, how am I to know what other things I’m allowed or not allowed to bang? How about a teapot? Or a cat? Or a banana?How about a teapot? Or a cat? Or a banana? They have no way of working out the answers to these questions – all they can hope to do is learn and memorise which ones are allowed and which are not.They have no way of working out the answers to these questions – all they can hope to do is learn and memorise which ones are allowed and which are not.

14. Sometimes the rules change. Brother and sister are messing about, play- fighting.Brother and sister are messing about, play- fighting. One gives the other a playful slap. They fall about laughing, and, crucially, MUM AND DAD DON’T STOP THEM!One gives the other a playful slap. They fall about laughing, and, crucially, MUM AND DAD DON’T STOP THEM! Ok, so now the rules have changed.Ok, so now the rules have changed. Sometimes it is ok to bang someone else.Sometimes it is ok to bang someone else. How am I to know when it’s ok and when it’s not ok?How am I to know when it’s ok and when it’s not ok? It would be completely beyond the ability of most autistic people to work out the answer to this question, even though it seems obvious to us.It would be completely beyond the ability of most autistic people to work out the answer to this question, even though it seems obvious to us.

15. An unsafe world A world where everyone else understands the rules, even when the rules change without warning, feels very scary to someone who doesn’t understand the rules.A world where everyone else understands the rules, even when the rules change without warning, feels very scary to someone who doesn’t understand the rules. The person has to do things to make the world feel safe.The person has to do things to make the world feel safe.

16. Things that make the world feel “safe” Only ever eating the same few foods.Only ever eating the same few foods. Only playing with the same few toys.Only playing with the same few toys. Repeatedly fiddling with the same object.Repeatedly fiddling with the same object. Always visiting the same shops and restaurants.Always visiting the same shops and restaurants. Always doing things at the same time every day or on the same day every week.Always doing things at the same time every day or on the same day every week.

17. These things give predictability to life These things are the autistic person’s own rules which they can impose on the world.These things are the autistic person’s own rules which they can impose on the world. They won’t change because the autistic person has made them up himself.They won’t change because the autistic person has made them up himself. Even when the person no longer likes something (e.g. goes off a particular food or activity) he/she will continue to do it so that the world stays predictable and safe.Even when the person no longer likes something (e.g. goes off a particular food or activity) he/she will continue to do it so that the world stays predictable and safe.

18. Factors beyond the person’s control For one person every day has to start with eating cornflakes. This gives the day a “safe” start.For one person every day has to start with eating cornflakes. This gives the day a “safe” start. What happens when the cornflake packet is empty?What happens when the cornflake packet is empty? Now the whole day is unsafe.Now the whole day is unsafe. For another, every Tuesday, Dad comes to visit.For another, every Tuesday, Dad comes to visit. What happens when Dad is sick or on holiday?What happens when Dad is sick or on holiday? If things like this can change, suddenly the world is a very scary and unsafe place again, and this can cause a huge amount of stress for the autistic person.If things like this can change, suddenly the world is a very scary and unsafe place again, and this can cause a huge amount of stress for the autistic person.

19. Other things that make the world “unsafe” Some people are very sensitive to sensory stimuli.Some people are very sensitive to sensory stimuli. They quickly get “overloaded”.They quickly get “overloaded”. This causes feelings of panic.This causes feelings of panic. When you enter a room, you notice the important things, but during the course of your life you have learnt to “filter out” the things that don’t matter to you.When you enter a room, you notice the important things, but during the course of your life you have learnt to “filter out” the things that don’t matter to you.

20. Autistic people notice everything. Literally everything.Literally everything. They don’t have a “filter out” mechanism.They don’t have a “filter out” mechanism. They don’t distinguish between important and unimportant things.They don’t distinguish between important and unimportant things. They notice every stain on the carpet, every sound that is to be heard, the colour of the pen on the sideboard, the leftover smell from last night’s dinner, the bit of grass stuck to your shoe.They notice every stain on the carpet, every sound that is to be heard, the colour of the pen on the sideboard, the leftover smell from last night’s dinner, the bit of grass stuck to your shoe.

21. Distinguishing what is important While you are talking to the autistic person, you may need to give her some other cues to help her understand what she needs to focus on.While you are talking to the autistic person, you may need to give her some other cues to help her understand what she needs to focus on. You may know that she understands the question “Would you like a drink?” so you can’t understand why she ignores the question.You may know that she understands the question “Would you like a drink?” so you can’t understand why she ignores the question. She has heard the question, but she has also heard your breathing, the song playing on the TV, the birds singing in the garden and the dustbin lorry pulling up outside.She has heard the question, but she has also heard your breathing, the song playing on the TV, the birds singing in the garden and the dustbin lorry pulling up outside. She has no way of knowing which of these sounds matters at the moment.She has no way of knowing which of these sounds matters at the moment. So help her – stand in her line of vision and attract her attention. Ask the question again, “Would you like a drink?” but this time, show her a cup or glass so that she has a visual clue to help her focus on what she is being asked.So help her – stand in her line of vision and attract her attention. Ask the question again, “Would you like a drink?” but this time, show her a cup or glass so that she has a visual clue to help her focus on what she is being asked.

22. Some sensory impressions are overwhelming. For some autistic people, sounds can be overwhelming.For some autistic people, sounds can be overwhelming. In a room where people are talking, the TV is on and there’s a tinny noise coming from someone’s i-pod, they can find the combination quite literally unbearable.In a room where people are talking, the TV is on and there’s a tinny noise coming from someone’s i-pod, they can find the combination quite literally unbearable. For others, it’s the opposite. Sounds are interesting – the more the better. Let’s have a combination of TV, CD, electronic keyboard, music video on the computer and personal stereo.For others, it’s the opposite. Sounds are interesting – the more the better. Let’s have a combination of TV, CD, electronic keyboard, music video on the computer and personal stereo. For someone like this, silence may be unbearable, so falling asleep in a quiet house at night may be near- impossible.For someone like this, silence may be unbearable, so falling asleep in a quiet house at night may be near- impossible. Other people react similarly to strong smells, bright colours, certain tastes or temperatures – e.g. being unable to eat ice cream, or certain textures – e.g. not liking playdoh.Other people react similarly to strong smells, bright colours, certain tastes or temperatures – e.g. being unable to eat ice cream, or certain textures – e.g. not liking playdoh.

23. Get to know the individual Like the rest of us, autistic people are all different and have their likes and dislikes.Like the rest of us, autistic people are all different and have their likes and dislikes. It’s just that their likes (e.g. hand dryers) may come to dominate their lives, and their dislikes may make life impossible and – once again – unsafe.It’s just that their likes (e.g. hand dryers) may come to dominate their lives, and their dislikes may make life impossible and – once again – unsafe. The only way to deal with this is to get to know the person and adapt the environment as much as possible for his or her comfort.The only way to deal with this is to get to know the person and adapt the environment as much as possible for his or her comfort.

24. Tell me what I’m thinking about I have an image in my mind at present.I have an image in my mind at present. I’d like you to tell me what it is.I’d like you to tell me what it is. I’ll give you a moment to think about it.I’ll give you a moment to think about it. Ok – what am I thinking of?Ok – what am I thinking of?

25. Check if you were right. Did you know I was thinking about a blue box truck?Did you know I was thinking about a blue box truck?

26. Of course not. You can’t see what’s going on inside my head.You can’t see what’s going on inside my head. Many autistic people don’t know this.Many autistic people don’t know this. If they are thinking of something, they assume you know about it.If they are thinking of something, they assume you know about it. Therefore, even if they can easily tell you in words, they may not bother to do so because they think you already know.Therefore, even if they can easily tell you in words, they may not bother to do so because they think you already know.

27. The smarties test This is used as a test to see if a child is autistic.This is used as a test to see if a child is autistic. The child is shown a smartie tube and is asked what is inside. Most children, whether or not they are autistic, will say smarties.The child is shown a smartie tube and is asked what is inside. Most children, whether or not they are autistic, will say smarties. The lid is taken off, and they are shown that the tube in fact contains pencils.The lid is taken off, and they are shown that the tube in fact contains pencils.

28. What’s inside? The lid is then replaced, and the child is asked, “If I showed this tube to Mummy, what would she think was inside?”The lid is then replaced, and the child is asked, “If I showed this tube to Mummy, what would she think was inside?” Most children will answer, “Smarties”.Most children will answer, “Smarties”. Autistic children will usually answer, “Pencils”.Autistic children will usually answer, “Pencils”. This shows that because they know in their own mind that it contains pencils, they assume that Mummy will know what is in their mind.This shows that because they know in their own mind that it contains pencils, they assume that Mummy will know what is in their mind.

29. Suppose you are caring for an autistic person He comes home from a day out.He comes home from a day out. You ask him what he has done/seen.You ask him what he has done/seen. Depending on his mood, he may humour you by telling you, or he may refuse to answer.Depending on his mood, he may humour you by telling you, or he may refuse to answer. Either way, he sees the question as pointless because he assumes you already know.Either way, he sees the question as pointless because he assumes you already know. Or he may want you to comment on something that happened while he was out. He won’t tell you what it was, because he assumes you already know what he’s thinking.Or he may want you to comment on something that happened while he was out. He won’t tell you what it was, because he assumes you already know what he’s thinking. If you don’t give the response he is looking for (which you can’t, because you don’t know what he’s thinking) he may get very agitated because he thinks you are being deliberately difficult or awkward.If you don’t give the response he is looking for (which you can’t, because you don’t know what he’s thinking) he may get very agitated because he thinks you are being deliberately difficult or awkward. Once again, the “rules” of the “game” of life have changed, and life suddenly seems very unpredictable and scary, giving rise to high levels of stress and anxiety.Once again, the “rules” of the “game” of life have changed, and life suddenly seems very unpredictable and scary, giving rise to high levels of stress and anxiety.

30. How can this stress and anxiety be defused? You can’t reason the person out of it (“I’m sorry Dad couldn’t come today because he was ill. Don’t worry, he’ll come next Tuesday as usual”).You can’t reason the person out of it (“I’m sorry Dad couldn’t come today because he was ill. Don’t worry, he’ll come next Tuesday as usual”). That kind of reasoning will only work later on once the anxiety has been dealt with. Right now the person is in an emotional head-space which is way beyond the reach of reason.That kind of reasoning will only work later on once the anxiety has been dealt with. Right now the person is in an emotional head-space which is way beyond the reach of reason. The only other way, from the autistic person’s point of view, is to replace this unmanageable emotional pain with a manageable physical one.The only other way, from the autistic person’s point of view, is to replace this unmanageable emotional pain with a manageable physical one. This is why many autistic people self-harm when they don’t get their own way.This is why many autistic people self-harm when they don’t get their own way. It might look like a temper-tantrum, but it isn’t.It might look like a temper-tantrum, but it isn’t. It’s a frantic attempt to make this scary, unsafe world seem safe and predictable again.It’s a frantic attempt to make this scary, unsafe world seem safe and predictable again.

31. Facial expressions Identify the moods behind these facial expressions:Identify the moods behind these facial expressions:

32. This is how they may look to an autistic person: Most autistic people can’t tell, just by looking at your face, whether you are happy or sad, cross or friendly, relaxed or worried.Most autistic people can’t tell, just by looking at your face, whether you are happy or sad, cross or friendly, relaxed or worried.

33. You will need to spell out everything in words. Tell him that you’re smiling because you’re happy.Tell him that you’re smiling because you’re happy. Or that you’re looking friendly because you like him.Or that you’re looking friendly because you like him. Or that you’re frowning because you’re not pleased with him.Or that you’re frowning because you’re not pleased with him. Or that you are looking worried because you are sad to see him hurting himself.Or that you are looking worried because you are sad to see him hurting himself. You can’t assume that he will infer any of this from your facial expression.You can’t assume that he will infer any of this from your facial expression.

34. Figurative and literal language Autistic people tend to take everything literally.Autistic people tend to take everything literally. They don’t understand metaphors.They don’t understand metaphors. We use metaphors far more often than we realise.We use metaphors far more often than we realise. One autistic person thinks a cassette tape is a sharp cutting implement because someone once said to her, “I’ve recorded a tape for you, but I’m sorry the last song cut off.”One autistic person thinks a cassette tape is a sharp cutting implement because someone once said to her, “I’ve recorded a tape for you, but I’m sorry the last song cut off.” She took the word “cut” literally.She took the word “cut” literally.

35. Suggested reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, as well as being a great story, is a fascinating and realistic insight into the mind of an autistic person.The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, as well as being a great story, is a fascinating and realistic insight into the mind of an autistic person.