We never know how other people might deal with a situation which we find easy. Or how a kind word or action from us can improve someone else’s experience of a situation.
My guest blogger, Sara-Louise Ackrill, recently shared this example of kindness that changed her experience and helped her to avoid a difficult and frightening situation.
“Kindness is free and powerful. The reaction of the member of staff on reception recently at Holiday Inn Express North Acton when I was trying to fend off an autistic meltdown was so important in my well-being… I am happy to mention them in any media!”
Read on (below the photo) for tips on how you can help an autistic person with kindness.
Photo by Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka on Unsplash
What to do to help an autistic person
Many (but not all) people will start to show signs of distress before having an autistic meltdown, so one of the things we can all do is to be alert to distress in others. React calmly and non-judgmentally to them and try to create a calm, safe space for them, asking others to move along and turning off music if possible.
Find out more about what you can do at the National Autistic Society’s website.