attitude that reflects what you
would like to see. There is a lot
of pressure put on getting the
“correct” answer; try instead
looking at it as a multiple
choice question. No one does
well when they feel like they
are constantly falling short.
ing. It’s that simple. Lesson:
If you are frustrated, do not
attempt to direct the autistic
person, and please keep in mind
that if you are frustrated, the
autistic person is also.
Propositional Prompt
Verbal Prompt
Photo by Christina MacNeal.
options/suggestions at us at one given time. Remember, most of
us lack the communication skills to express that this is frustrating,
and over time this builds into a meltdown. This is a very fine line,
yet it is still pushing someone as you are no longer listening to the
autistic person’s wants or needs. Lesson: Give time to respond and
process. For us it’s like being interrupted constantly.
Gestural Prompt
This is basically what it sounds like; you are using your body to
indicate a response. Here is a good example of this: You are waiting for a response from a person with autism after first trying the
visual prompt, which didn’t work. You then point in the most
exact proximity as possible to where the person with autism needs
to go, allowing plenty of time and keeping your gesture the same.
Gestural Push
We feel everything, so if you communicate with an attitude and at
the same time start raising your voice and overly gesturing out of
frustration with people watching, expect a negative response with
one of the following occurring: tantrum, outburst, meltdown or
shutdown.
Again, we are just like everyone else, and human nature makes us
all want to fit in and avoid conflict for the most part. Lesson: If you
want a positive reaction from us, then present an experience and
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
I think one of my favorite verbal prompts is as follows as I
am a very visual learner. Have
four pre-chosen responses to
questions, one of which should
always be “other,” and write
the words in visual sight of
the autistic person. It is a very
quick response system and
is easy for both parties. This
type of verbal prompt is also
good for select mutism during
tough times. Remember to get
the true answer by asking the
questions in alternate order a
second time. This can then be
used for pointing if nonverbal
or experiencing select mutism
or can be verbally answered by
someone who is verbal. Lesson: There is a huge difference
between communicating and
the ability to speak; also, use
what works for that person or
yourself and mix and match
tools to be most effective.
Verbal Push
I consider this to be very
straight forward. If you are
speaking down to, over,
around, or raising your voice
for reasons other than hearing or safety issues, you have
crossed the line and are push-
I will put myself out there for
this one. I care for about five
foods. I will forget to eat. Food
refusal can last for days that
can easily turn into almost a
week. I will walk past the food,
at times even the five foods I
will eat, and not initiate. Oppositely, if non-heated instant
brown sugar oatmeal with just
water is placed in front of me,
I will engage and eat it. This
is a great fussy, food-refusing
method and works
very well, given that
there are no sensory
issues with the presented food. Lesson:
It’s neither laziness nor protest, but
sometimes, as much
as we would like
to engage, we can’t
make our bodies and
minds work with us
and in sync.
so just don’t. It’s beyond disrespectful and rude.
bow, hand or other previously
discussed and chosen body
part of the autistic person is a
push and unacceptable. Lesson:
Would you touch anyone else
other than the autistic person
in your life to get them to do
what you were wanting in this
way? If not, then don’t do it to
us either.
Physical Prompt
Often called the hand-overhand method, it sounds so
much cuter than it actually is.
I am not here to judge. I am,
however, an autistic person
who experiences everything
differently than my neuro-typical counterparts, and I assure
you that I do not like to be
touched without fair warning
and given consent. Here is the
bottom line with these types
of prompts: Unless the person
is harming him self, someone
else or is in direct danger of
some sort, it is never okay to
put your hands on someone
who either cannot tell you no
Physical Push
Please read above and repeat
after me: Putting your hands
on someone who is not in
danger or in danger of hurting
someone else without prior discussion and consent is not acceptable behavior. Please stop
doing this to autistic people as
it is wrong. The end.
"If you want a positive reaction
from us, then present an experience and
attitude that reflects
Propositional Push
You have placed the item(s) in
front of the autistic person for
the sixth time in a row, and
each response from the person
is getting more intense in a
negative way, yet you still proceed to do so. This is not only
pushing, but also, it is being a
bully and not good for anyone,
what you
would like to see."
or who cannot make his body
work well enough to remove
your hands. It is, again, in my
opinion, disrespectful, belittling and ultimately tells that
person that it is okay for people
to touch them regardless of
their wants, needs and feelings. That’s not only a wrong
message, it’s a dangerous and
harmful one. Anything beyond
a tap on the shoulder or el-
Christina MacNeal is an
autistic writer, activist,
public speaker, the founder
of two nonprofits, and a
two-time Editor in Chief and communications director. You can contact Christina at [email protected].
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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