17/04/2026
What would you say if someone told you that they or their child were autistic?
Avoid negative or dismissive comments like:
❌ She doesn’t look autistic.
❌ I'm sorry to hear that.
❌ We're all a bit on the spectrum, aren't we?
❌ That must be so hard.
❌ They're really over-diagnosing everything these days.
Instead be supportive and appreciative:
✅ Thank you for telling me.
✅ That's helpful for me to know.
✅ Let me know if there's anything that helps him feel comfortable.
✅ She is lucky to have you learning about her needs.
Ask supportive questions to find out more and help your understanding:
✅ Are there any supports or accomodations that work well for her?
✅ What does he enjoy?
✅ Is there anything I can do to support you?
Save this for future use ⭐