Not everyone feels at ease when it comes to seeking assistance...
Not everyone feels at ease when it comes to seeking assistance.A person with autism may be reluctant to ask for help, no matter how long you've known them.This reluctance is due to the fear associated with admitting weakness and needing assistance.Helping an autistic person get through this mental roadblock is possible with the correct support for autism, but it takes patience and persistence.One way you can encourage an autistic individual to ask for help is by leading by example.When you show an autistic person that it's alright to ask for help, they can learn to do so by imitating your actions.By communicating your vulnerability, you help autistic people recognize that you, too, will inevitably require assistance.This will help them recognize their limits and seek assistance when necessary.Also, help them understand that the act of seeking assistance is one of strength rather than weakness.It takes guts to confront our reservations about reaching out for assistance.Below are more details on how to encourage an autistic individual to ask for help.
Lead by example by presenting instances of times you have asked for help and what the consequence was.When you display the conduct you are encouraging, autistic people are more likely to follow your example.In addition to shaping their worldview and their attitudes toward asking for help, your own example can have a profound effect on those around you.For instance, If you are having trouble with something, and you are aware that they can aid you, then you should ask them to help you out with it.When you do this, they will be able to realize that asking for assistance is not as uncomfortable as they had previously believed it to be.They gain an understanding of what it is like to have support by way of this experience. You may encourage autistic people to emulate you and learn to ask for help when they need it by setting a good example for them to follow.
Ensure you create a supportive environment for them.Both the social and physical milieu should encourage and support.When you set the tone for support and encouragement, they will learn to adjust to an environment that has supported them.This way, asking for help when they need it will be much easier for them.For example, if you tell your autistic friend that you will play a game with them when you get back from work, make sure that you keep your promise.When you make promises to them, and you are inconsistent about fulfilling these promises, they won't feel encouraged.They will eventually recognize this pattern, and once they do, it's possible that they may stop asking.If they don't feel like they can trust you or that you don't support them, they are less likely to ask for help because of the doubt that you will come through for them.Set the tone upfront around asking for help; it is one of the ways to encourage an autistic individual to ask for help.
Sharing will almost always be more beneficial than keeping all you are going through to yourself or keeping it bottled up inside of you.Some know that the opportunity to encourage others and share their experiences can be good for both the person doing the sharing and the listener.You can encourage an autistic individual to ask for help by letting them understand that no one is an island.They are not only robbing themselves of the opportunity by failing to share, but they are also missing out on the possibility of developing bonds and friendships.Autistic people can create deeper connections with others and receive more help if they exhibit bravery and are willing to disclose their vulnerabilities.You can help them accomplish this by letting them know about your own vulnerabilities.When you do this frequently, autistic people will eventually become accustomed to doing the same thing with you.
Asking for help doesn't make anyone weak.Rather, it shows courage and strength to overcome a problem.It displays that you are able to seek assistance when you are in a bind and know how and where to do it.Additionally, asking for assistance or support is an excellent approach to creating relationships.It gives the individual who is being asked for assistance the impression that they have been validated.While asking for help is good, ensure that people recognize you as someone who is willing to help others when they ask for it.In a world where people want problems to be resolved quickly, surrounding yourself with individuals who can assist you in a variety of situations is quite beneficial.
Beyond their family, everyone requires a network of people to whom they can turn for help.Needing assistance is natural.Research shows that asking for assistance is a smart approach to making new friends or improving existing relationships, even with coworkers.It is extremely crucial for people with learning and thinking difficulties to be able to self-advocate and seek help.It's a talent they may begin developing in elementary school and will benefit from for the rest of their life.Asking for aid rather than providing a favor for someone else is a better method to establish a relationship.As a result, it can assist an autistic person in remembering that asking for assistance is a method to create social capital!
For autistic people, sometimes, it might be difficult to see the support for autism that is right in front of them when they need help because they don't know how to ask. You can encourage an autistic individual to ask for help by leading by example, establishing the tone with them and keeping your promise, communicating your vulnerability, showing how it is a sign of strength, and reminding them that asking for assistance builds support networks.
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/4-ways-to-help-your-child-build-a-support-network
https://shiftworkspaces.com/asking-help-not-sign-weakness/
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/mental-health/how-to-build-a-strong-support-network/
https://mercymultiplied.com/how-to-encourage-someone-to-seek-help/
https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/empowering-young-people-ask-help
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
