Do you also have a hard time starting conversations with friends? A little help for those of us with autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) to get along with friends!

Sometimes you want to play and talk to someone. But you may be confused about how to start it or what to say. For some people, this is something that can be done very easily. However, if you are someone living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, talking to others and making friends can be a bit of a challenge. It may take a little practice and dedication. It is not your fault at all, because we are all different. Some things come very easily to us, while others require a little help. So today, let's talk about how important talking is for us to build these friendships and strengthen the friendships we have, and how to do it properly.

How do you get to know someone and start a conversation?

First, remember that meeting someone new or starting a conversation is not a big deal. You can simply say "hi" and say your name. If you're meeting someone a little older, you can say something like "hi, nice to meet you."

The most important thing at this point is to keep a small smile on your face, look the other person in the eye, and show interest in what they are saying. When you do these things, others will easily understand that you are very friendly and willing to talk.

Here are some methods you can use to start another story:

• If you see someone in the hallway at school or when entering class, ask something like, "Hi, how are you?"
• At a cafeteria or library, smile and ask in a friendly manner, "Hi, is it okay if I sit here?" or just say "hello."
• Offer to share something you have, like an extra pencil, or make a small compliment like, "Your bag is beautiful" or "Your shoes are awesome!"
• Invite someone over by asking, "Can you sit here?" at the cafeteria or library, or ask, "Would you like to come play too?" when the group is engaged in some activity.

Just think, a little smile and a kind word can make a big difference!

If you need help getting used to saying these things, practice saying them with your parents or another adult you trust. Then, when you really need to talk to someone, you'll be able to do so without any problems.

Once a story starts, how do you keep it going?

Everyone loves to talk about the things they love. So when you're with someone, you can ask questions like: "What do you do for fun?" or "What's your favorite TV show?" When you ask questions like these, the other person knows that you're interested in them.

Now to continue the conversation, when the other person answers you, for example, "I like to go for a walk with my dog," you should say something about what they said. You could say, "Oh, I have a dog too," or "What's your dog's name?" You could even nod your head and repeat what the other person said: "Oh, your dog's name is Spot?"

When you do this, the other person knows that you have listened carefully and understood what they have said. A successful conversation is when both parties take turns speaking.

Why are these things a little different when you have autism spectrum disorder?

Because you have autism spectrum disorder, it can sometimes be a little difficult to understand other people's facial expressions, subtle changes in their tone of voice, or non-verbal cues. Also, while you may like to talk about the same topic for a long time, others may not. That's why we're talking so much about the little things to be careful about in this conversation. It can help you overcome some of these challenges.

How do you know when to change the topic or stop talking?

When you're talking to someone, it's important to know when to change the subject or stop talking. We can usually tell when someone is ready to change the subject or stop talking by things like:

• When they look at you less (no longer make eye contact).
• When you look away from yourself, or around the room.
• While looking at their phone or doing something else.
• When you suddenly start talking about something completely different.
• When you don't answer the questions you ask.

Sometimes the other person will make it easy for you and say something like, "I have to go now. Bye!" If you want to leave, you can also say, "I have to go now," "It was nice talking to you," or, if you're meeting someone new, "It was nice meeting you."

When you're texting or chatting online with a friend, it can be a little difficult to tell when someone is trying to stop the conversation. In such a case, if they haven't responded to your last two messages, you can stop texting or typing. It won't be awkward for the other person.

Keep these things in mind when talking to someone else.

When speaking, it's important to know what to do and what not to do. These things will help others feel more comfortable speaking to you:

• Talk about a variety of things: Try not to talk about the same thing for too long. If you do, the other person may get bored. You can talk about a variety of things, such as animals, sports, food, movies, and video games.
• Choose things that you both enjoy: For example, you might like to talk about how to build airplanes, but if the other person isn't interested in that, it might be boring for them to listen to it. So talk about things that you both have in common.
• Let the other person talk: It is very important to give the other person a chance to express their opinions and talk, rather than just talking.
• Don't get too close: Keep an arm's length away from the person you're talking to so that they don't feel uncomfortable. This means you also need to think about personal space.
• Be friendly: Show that you are listening to what the other person is saying. This can be done by smiling, nodding, looking at them, or asking more questions related to what they said .

If you have autism spectrum disorder, these social rules may seem a bit complicated. But by paying attention to the little things and getting used to them, you can easily do them. It's like learning a new language, it gets easier and easier to get used to.

So, here are some things to remember from what we've talked about:

Okay, so we've talked about a lot today, haven't we? Having a friendly conversation with your friends may seem like a bit of a challenge for you, who has autism spectrum disorder, but you'll now realize that it's not impossible.

It will help you a lot if you keep these things in mind:

1. Start friendly: Don't be afraid to start a conversation with a little smile and a simple "hi." Look at the other person and pay attention to what they're saying.

2. Ask questions and listen: Asking questions about the other person's interests shows that you are interested in them. Listen carefully to what they are saying and then say something related to it.

3. Understand other people's cues: If you feel like someone is trying to stop the conversation or change the subject, let them. Don't try to force the conversation.

4. Practice is the most important thing: It's okay if you can't do these things right away. Practice with someone you trust. Practice and you'll get better.

5. Be yourself: While these tips may help you, always be yourself and be authentic. Your good qualities and your passions are what make you special.

The most important thing is, don't stop trying! Everyone loves to be with friends and talk. You have every right to enjoy that pleasure too. If you learn a little bit and put in a little effort, you too can become a great friend and make a lot of good friends!

` Autism, social skills, communication, friendship, conversation skills, autism spectrum disorder