Have high expectations. Do not assume the person cannot do something just because the person has autism. Do not be controlled by the person's IQ score. It is very difficult to accurately measure the IQ of a child who has autism.

Expect the person to behave, to answer you when you ask a question, to come when you call, and to complete a task you assign.

The person with autism may need more time than others to do these things and may need your help, but continue to expect good things from them. Above all, do not excuse bad behavior because you feel sorry for the person with autism. The first change many of us need to make when we work with those with autism is to stop thinking of persons with autism as helpless victims.

Persons with autism are people. They are people with feelings, thoughts, desires, and needs. They respond to positive reinforcement, love, attention, punishment, and all the things we experience in life. However, they may respond in different ways.