GinaMarie, thanks! I love that name too and it is my third. My parents couldn't agreed how to call me so I ended up with 4 names.

At all events to be a companion for the autistic doesn't need specific "techniques", ok, helps to have a frame of mind to spend time with the autistic and observed the particular behaviours and see where/when you can "go in" to participate and see if the person looks up at you, give her/him a big smile and soft talking.

I had a notion that the adult autistics were beyond help, that they were mentally retarded and obnoxious and I saw one that fitted that description but when we made "contact", to my surprise he responded to me. Believe me they know who to trust.