Worst Ways to Treat an Autistic Adult

These are the worst things someone can say or do to an autistic adult that will really annoy them that should be illegal. I have autism myself.
The Top Ten
1 Talk to them with a baby voice

We are not babies, we are grown adults. Many of us were at the top of our classes. Simply because we have a condition that makes us unable to communicate effectively does not mean we are idiots. Idiots are the people who make assumptions about people with disabilities or conditions. These people who make assumptions should be the ones treated like babies, as they still have the knowledge of the baby, with the only thing saving them from mistreatment is being born "normal".

This happens especially after a meltdown. Autistics who have even the biggest meltdowns are still very likely to not have a mental age of 2. They are adults, not babies and don't assume they have a low mental age.

Please, all TopTenners, stop making offensive lists like this and 'Most Hated Countries' and stuff. I have autism and I am incredibly offended by list. Just ban them, OK?!

2 Assume they won't be employed

Someone I'm close to tried to make that assumption before I graduated from high school. I didn't talk to them for years. I've also held down 4 jobs.

3 Distrust them

People with autism are actually MORE likely to follow rules or be truthful, and are therefore more trustworthy. They don't value manipulation like many other types of people do.

People always assume thatall mentally disabled people lie all the time and that what they say isn't of as good quality compared to what 'normal' people would say.

4 Assume they are weak

Most of the time, autistic people are no weaker than people without autism. It can be very insulting to say stuff like 'I don't want you hurting your back' and carrying a 4kg object for an autistic adult who clearly doesn't have a physical disability.

5 Shout at them after a meltdown

A meltdown is the natural result of too much pent-up stress: the person truly can't take it anymore and can no longer hold it back. The only prevention is to remove the person from the situation that is causing the stress, before it builds up too much. (Since we often have trouble self-monitoring, having people help us know when to take a break can be essential.) A meltdown means things were wrong in the environment. Trust me, "throwing myself on the ground and screaming in public" doesn't make my top ten list of favorite activities.

This does no good. When I have a meltdown, I have no control over my actions. This is because my sensory system is overloaded. Shouting will only make the meltdown worse.

Meltdowns are not their fault and shouting will make them stressed! Plus, this is something they can't control.

6 Tell them they are totally in control of meltdowns

A lot of the time, they are not. Whenever I have meltdowns, I forget the consequences and I can't stop myself.

Not really. When I get pissed off I just become a different person and I don't think about getting punished or anything

7 Repeat an instruction

It is a lot better to write it down if they don't hear or remember or if they weren't listening, especially if it is a long one.

8 Call them mentally retarded
9 Tell them they are being immature
10 Patronize them

This especially applies if it is something they are the best at. This way you are talking to them like they have a mental age of 10 when they are over 16. They need to be treated like over 16's.

The Contenders
11 Ignore them because they are 'weird'

This used to be done a lot in the 70's by prefects. The most sickening stunt ever. I can't think of any words to describe the most cruel, heartless thing ever happened.

12 Call police on them
13 Choke them
14 Slap them

I don't think anyone would like this.

15 Manipulate them
16 Pinch them

Who would do this

17 Yell at them
18 Restrain them
19 Spank them
20 Swear at them
21 Make them watch children's media
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