Questionnaires for autistic people and therapists

Questionnaires for autistic people and therapists

Advice from Valérie Gaus

1. Questions an autistic person asks themselves

● What questions can I ask (or avoid) when meeting someone for the first time?

● What topics should I rule out?

● What behaviours should I avoid in a group?

● How many questions is it appropriate to ask at once?

● When is it appropriate (or inappropriate) to start a conversation?

● What mistakes should I avoid in general discussion?

● What activities could I take up to make friends?

● Am I really ready to face all of this?

Note: this succession of criteria can become paralysing for the AS person and prevent us from acting.

2. Objectives for an interview with an autistic person

1. Preparation

○ Gather precise information about your client: history, symptoms, issues.

2. Establish a connection

○ Create an authentic bond from the very first moments.

3. Observe communication

○ Identify their verbal and non-verbal characteristics as early as possible.

4. Respect personal space

○ Do not touch their hands, shoulder or head without being expressly invited to do so.

5. Adapt your language

○ Take their style into account: often highly articulate, sometimes very literal.

○ Choose your words carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.

3. Facilitate the end of the session

Autistic people (AS) often find it difficult to perceive when an exchange is coming to a close:

● They may continue talking and remain seated, even when the therapist stands up.

● To avoid an abrupt transition, announce the end of the session 5 to 15 minutes in advance, for example:

‘We have five minutes left before the end of the session.’ ‘Let us get ready to finish.’

Setting clear limits also helps the therapist accept any unusual behaviours, while reducing the patient's anxiety during the first sessions.

4. Limits of intake sessions

● No active teaching of social skills or corrective feedback, except in cases of self-harm or destructive behaviour.

● Do not force eye contact: many autistic patients do not make eye contact, and compelling them to do so is counterproductive.

● Do not display authority or social markers (parents, therapists, loved ones): allistic culture can be a source of pressure and misunderstanding.

Here you are immersed in a new culture, after years of conditioning to codes that do not fit you. It is a challenge, but not unknown territory: with support and kindness, it is entirely possible to find your bearings. JP.