02/15/2019
When our neurotypical kid gets a text from their friend, we’re happy they are feeling the love, but often tell them to put down their phone and do their homework. When our Person with Autism gets a text from a friend, it can be a moment to celebrate! A connection! A friend! Communication! Maybe excitement and anxiety collide! Maybe your Person with Autism has not ever received a text from a friend or you’re wondering if that is in their future. These simple points of contact can give us a huge emotional surge as a parent or advocate. They also impact our Person. Talking about those feelings or playing out those feelings with toys -good or difficult feelings— is important. The more we validate and understand our Person, the less anxiety and frustration they will feel. This emotional connection helps us know what they want and gives us the right indication of what skills they are motivated to learn and why. The more they are connected to their safest people, the more likely they can connect to others.
