Trying to convince Spencer to be a utilitarian (with Tyler John)

1. Develop a Sensory Lens

When interacting with autistic individuals, consider the sensory demands of activities (e.g., loud environments, strong scents) and make choices to minimize sensory overload, as this is a kind and inclusive practice.

2. Communicate Directly & Honestly

Communicate directly and honestly with autistic individuals, avoiding subtlety or innuendo, especially when asked for feedback or clarification, as this helps them understand what is truly being conveyed.

3. Respect Need for Predictability

Understand that autistic individuals need predictability and routine; communicate any changes to plans well in advance to support them and reduce anxiety, recognizing that strong reactions are their brain adjusting, not an attempt to be difficult.

4. Favor Object-Based Conversation

When communicating with autistic individuals, favor conversations focused on ideas or specific topics over social-based small talk, as this provides an easier and more comfortable entry point for interaction.

5. Allow & Understand Stimming

Allow or use stimming (repetitive body movements or actions) for self-soothing and predictability, especially when sensory overloaded, as it helps create predictable sensory feedback and soothes the nervous system. Avoid masking stims if possible, as it prevents self-soothing.

6. Understand Internal Motivations

When interacting with neurodivergent individuals, focus on understanding the internal reasons and motivations behind their behavior, rather than just observing external actions, to avoid misinterpretation.

7. Engage in Deep Self-Exploration

If considering self-identification for autism, engage in deep, intensive self-exploration, treating it as a ‘special interest’ by reading research, books, and seeking out autistic voices, rather than relying solely on social media. Be cautious of misidentifying treatable conditions.

8. Use Screeners as Data Points

Use online autism screeners (e.g., CATQ, AQ, RADs) as one data point in a broader process of self-discovery, combining them with conversations with trusted individuals and listening to the internal experiences described by autistic adults.

9. Leverage Bottom-Up Processing

Autistic individuals can leverage bottom-up processing to gain deep understanding of systems or topics, acknowledging that this intensive, detailed approach might take longer and be overwhelming initially but leads to profound knowledge.

10. Value Diverse Processing Styles

Collaborate with individuals who have different processing styles (e.g., top-down thinkers) to balance out one’s own tendencies (e.g., bottom-up processing), as a neurodiverse world benefits from both.

11. Avoid Over-Explaining

In professional or systemic environments where indirect communication is the norm, avoid over-explaining or providing excessive context to prevent misunderstandings or trouble.

12. Pivot to Interests Socially

In fluid social settings, if you are autistic and feel uncomfortable, pivot the conversation back to a topic of your special interest to regain comfort and facilitate interaction.

13. Prioritize Inclusive Advocacy

In autism advocacy, prioritize thinking about privilege and intersecting identities to ensure all autistic voices are included and not erased, especially those with higher support needs.

14. Increase Public Awareness of Stimming

Increase public awareness about stimming and its purpose to make the world safer and more understanding for all autistic individuals, especially those with higher support needs.

15. Cultivate Nuance in Discourse

Cultivate nuance and empathy within the autistic community and broader society to honor diverse experiences and perspectives on autism, acknowledging that some may desire a ‘cure’ while others embrace their neurotype.

16. Read ‘Is This Autism?’

For academic listeners interested in autism, read ‘Is This Autism?’ by Dr. Donna Henderson and Sarah Whelan for a nuanced understanding of diagnostic criteria and diverse presentations.