10 things we want you to know about autism

I am first and foremost a child. I have autism. I am not primarily autistic.

It does not define me as a person

It is only one aspect of my character.

I am Finnegan, a fun loving, happy

boy

My sensory

perceptions are

distorted

Crowds and loud noises

are overwhelmin

g to me

One step instructions work

better for me. Speak to me

directly and in plain words.

I sometimes take things literally. I am a concrete

thinker

Don’t use:

Pun

s

Metaphors

NuancesSarcas

m

I am a visual learnerDon’t tell me,

show me.

Show me

many times.

Consistent repetition makes me learn

I have a lot of energy

I am a boy!

Don’t expect me to sit still for a long time.

Provide me an outlet to get my “wiggles” out.

Don’t dwell

on what I can’t do

Praise me for

what I can do

Keep it positive

Please help me with social interaction

It’s not that I don’t want to play

I just don’t

know how to

join in

Don’t exclude me

Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me.

Have you noticed I don’t lie, cheat, tattle or pass judgment on other people?

Above all, love me unconditionally!

With

Love

, Mar

tina

and F

inn’s

mom