At SUMC, we not only welcome, but want to purposefully include, all individuals with neurodiversity. You may want to connect but be unsure how. Here are some simple tips that may help you when introducing yourself to a neurodiverse individual.
Find the right moment. Choose a quiet and calm time. If the individual is a child, be sure the parent is present. If you aren’t sure if it’s a good time, just ask!
Do not rely upon nonverbal communication. Many neurodiverse individuals may struggle to make eye contact, read facial expressions, or understand gestures.
Meet them where they are at. For children, kneel, sit, or bend to their level. They are more likely to pay attention to you that way.
Keep your speech brief and to the point. Saying less is more! Using too many words at once can be overwhelming.
Start with a simple greeting, and limit your questions to “yes/no” and “forced-choice” (i.e., this or that) questions at first. Open-ended (i.e., what, who, how) questions can be more difficult to answer, especially for children.
Be patient and allow ample response time for individuals with neurodiversity. Slowly count to 20 in your head before you re-ask the question.
Engage in their interests! For children, playing side-by-side at first may be easier for them than a conversation.
We hope these tips help you to feel more confident in reaching out to our new friends. The Neurodiversity Support Ministry is here for you if you would like some more tips!