Home Visits: A professional’s guide to engaging autistic young people (and parents)

Sometimes, engaging an autistic young person during a home visit (whatever that visit is for) takes a bit more thought and planning in order to get as much engagement as possible.

So here are some do’s and don’ts.

1: Don’t visit unannounced.  Let them know you are coming ahead of time.  Surprises are not fun.

2:  Do say why you are visiting.  “I’m visiting so we can discuss xyz”.

3:  Do be on time.  If you say 2pm, be there at 2pm, not earlier, not later.

4:  Do let them know how long the visit will likely be.

5: Do tell them about you ahead of time.  If this is your first visit, why not send a profile of yourself, with a photo.  Maybe a text of email “Hi Jack, I’m Nick, your new Youth Worker.  This is a photo of me.  I’d like to visit you next Monday at 3pm.  I’d like to talk to you about how school is and tell you about the work that we do”.

6:  Do think about the language that you use.  Avoid vague terms like ‘frequently’, ‘regularly’.  “You need to brush your teeth twice a day” is clearer than “You need to brush your teeth regularly”.

7:  Do give time.  Take the time to get to know them, to build a rapport.  Ask us about their interests, show genuine interest.

8: Don’t force or expect eye contact.  Sit alongside rather than opposite them.  Maybe do something physical whilst talking – colouring, go for a walk, playing a game.  A lack of eye contact is not rudeness or disinterest.

9: Do check their understanding. 

10: Don’t bullshit.  If you can’t do it, say so.  If its not going to happen, say so.  Don’t offer false promise.  Don’t break trust as you will never get it back.  Be transparent, clear and straight forward.

11:  Do offer alternatives – don’t assume everyone can do or wants to do a video call or a phone call.  Ask them what their preference is for communication.  This could be voice notes, email, texting.

12:  Do lay off the perfume/aftershave/cigarettes that day.  Strong smells may be distracting or alienating.

13:  Do consider the sound of your voice.  If you have a naturally loud voice, tone it down a bit.

14:  Do get their preferred name right.  If you don’t know, ask.  If you don’t know how to pronounce their name, ask.  Ask them for their pronouns and use them correctly.  “I use she/her pronouns, what do you prefer?”.