How do These Differences Apply to Healthcare Providers?
The vast differences between individuals with ASD can be quite challenging to healthcare providers, and is the biggest source of misunderstanding between providers and patients. Not every child will have difficulties with communication. Some have no ability to speak, while others have extreme ability to talk about their favorite interests in great detail. For those that can talk, they typically have difficulty using language effectively when talking to others. They may also have difficulty processing what they hear, and not understand what was said to them.
For example, if an autistic child or adult is given verbal instructions on how to complete a task, they might not understand how to do it. Yet, if they are given an actual demonstration of doing the same task, they are then able to successfully do it themselves. It’s not uncommon for parents to think their child has hearing issues, because they don’t respond when spoken to. They then take the child for hearing testing, only to learn there is no hearing deficit.
The vast differences between autistic people is one of the biggest reasons why I have pursued my own certification in autism through IBCCES to become a Certified Autism Specialist™. I know that not everyone’s experience on the spectrum is like mine, and many people’s experience is actually quite different.
This helps to make sure that I know that when I meet someone new on the spectrum and I don’t know their sensitivities or background that I am properly prepared to relate to them in the way that is best for them.
The Very Important Missing Pieces of Communication for Many with ASD
People with ASD also face challenges understanding body language, as well as the nuances of vocal tones. Body language is the second form of communication that humans use to express their thoughts, emotions, and desires. Those with ASD typically have difficulty at best, but usually no skills at deciphering what a person is saying with facial expressions or body language. There is also the lack of the ASD person of making eye contact. Many in fact will describe trying to look someone in the eye as literally being painful.
While the often-cited numbers from Professor Mehrabian of 55 percent of messaging being body language, 38 percent being tone and 7 percent being the actual verbal message itself may be in some doubt, regardless of what the exact numbers are anyone who does not understand these communication nuances is very clearly at a distinct disadvantage in understanding their world and the messages of the people in it.
This is why it is all the more important that healthcare providers are aware that they need to express as much as possible of their message in ways that will be most easily understandable by that patient, which is not always the same. Learning how to adapt to each patient is important to optimize outcomes for healthcare provider and patient alike.
Now that you have an overview of the communication difficulties of those with ASD, you are wondering exactly how are you going to be able to effectively interact with your next autistic patient, wherever they may be on the autism spectrum. The ASD patient may appear not to hear what you say to them, they may not respond to their name, or they may appear indifferent to any attempts you make at communicating with them.
