When Someone You Know Has Autism
If you know someone who has autism, try to be extra patient. Don't expect the person to look at things the same way you do.

Perhaps the most difficult part of coping with autism is interacting with other people every day. For someone with autism, learning to communicate can be like learning a foreign language. Because it's so hard to express themselves and for others to understand them, just talking with a classmate becomes stressful and frustrating.

When even a casual conversation requires so much effort, it's hard to make friends. Teens with autism may have to think constantly about how others will view their actions. They may have to make a conscious effort to pay attention to social cues the rest of us handle without even thinking. Basically, it takes a lot of work for someone with autism to do what comes naturally to most people.

Some behaviors that come across as rude (like interrupting you when you're talking) come from the person's different perception of the world. It's tough for people who can't read social cues and recognize the natural pauses in a conversation to know when to jump in with their own thoughts.

You can help just by including a friend or sibling with autism in your social groups from time to time. This can help the person learn rules for friendships through watching you.

Despite all the day-to-day hurdles, many people with autism lead fulfilling, happy lives on their own or with help from friends and family. Most teens with autism like school, and some can attend regular classes with everyone else. They have individual tastes and enjoy different activities, just like you do.

Some people with autism go on to vocational school or college, get married, and have successful careers. Consider Temple Grandin, for example. Despite having autism, she earned a PhD and became a college professor and expert in animal behavior. She's written several books, including one about her experience called Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports From My Life With Autism. Although she still struggles with the disorder almost daily, she leads a normal life, just like many other people with autism