As the head of PR for autistic Nottingham, part of my role is choosing one (or more) of my fellow staff members to do an interview. This guide is aimed at members of the press who are not autistic, but if you are an autistic person who is going to be interviewed by a media outlet, you may be able to ask for some of these accommodations.
Now, some autistics can’t do interviews – they are simply too stressful. For those who are able, they can still be difficult, but there are ways to make it easier. And making an interview more comfortable for your autistic interviewee means a better interview.
Part of autism is struggling with unexpected changes or lack of structure. So one thing that can help autistics with interviews is to know the format of the interview in advance.
If it is an in-person interview, you could send them a photograph of the interview space or even allow them to view the room beforehand. You could also set up a meeting between them and the interviewer to allow for more familiarity.
It can also be helpful to let them know the length of the interview and to talk through how it will be structured, as well as the length of response that is expected from them.
It is also very helpful to send them questions in advance. Now this isn’t always possible as some outlets have rules about sending interviewees questions in advance, So try to give at least an idea of the topics that will be discussed.
It also helps if the interview is not at short notice as some autistics will struggle with the sudden change to their schedule an on-the-day interview might bring. Although, of course, letting someone know in advance about an interview request isn’t always possible due to the fast-paced nature of news media.
In terms of Sensory issues, many autistics struggle with bright lights. So if possible, interview in a room with softer lighting – Or accept the fact your interviewee might have to wear sunglasses or a hat…because otherwise your interviewee will either be unable to do the interview or squint the whole time.
During the interview keep in mind autistic people cannot read subtle social cues easily. If someone has over the length of response you want for a certain question you might have to be more direct to move them onto the next topic.
Be aware an autistic person might not make eye contact during the interview. This does not mean they are not listening. Autistics often struggle with eye contact, though some may be able to fake it by looking at someone’s forehead or just above their head.
An autistic person may stim during the interview – this is a repeated movement or action that they find relaxing or use to express themselves. They are not distracted or bored; stimming is a way to keep themselves regulated and calm during the interview – or just an expression of their emotions – in much the same way as facial expressions are used.
Keep in mind that an autistic person may not sound ‘natural’ when speaking. Some of us can sound monotone when we speak, and trying to force a more ‘natural’ intonation can be stressful and rather fruitless.
I hope these tips are helpful, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Autistic Nottingham 