Living with a person who’s living without autism can be a unique challenge. It’s not their fault that they suffer from not having autism — but that doesn’t reduce the impact their condition has on you.
If you’re struggling to live with a person without autism, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered advice from family members of not-autism sufferers on how to make life easier for your relative without autism – but most importantly, for you.
Make every conversation about the weather
People without autism love discussing the weather, so make sure to bring every discussion back to it. If you’re stuck for things to say, look out the window and comment: “Lovely day we’re having” or “bit nippy out,” or “looks like we’re having a spot of rain.”
Make sure to provide continuous updates – and never let a conversation devolve into non-weather-related discourse (they really hate that).
Embrace the element of surprise
People without autism love noise and chaos. Wait for a time when their guard is completely down, then drape yourself in flashing lights, find something that emits a loud wailing noise (if you can’t find a siren, your own screaming should do) and jump out at them. Do this as often as it takes for them to feel at home.
Never break eye contact
Constant, unremitting eye contact makes people without autism feel comfortable and like they can trust you. Likely, you’ll need to accompany your person without autism at all times. Whether they’re at work, showering or taking a shit, they’ll appreciate you staring deeply and relentlessly into their eyes.
Most importantly, make sure to treat your person without autism like a real person. A person who’s inconveniencing the hell out of you, obviously – or else they’ll never learn.
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