A diagnosis of autism is not the end of
love and hope. But media stories thrive on
the most overwhelming and horrifying
circumstances. Here are just a few of the
myths perpetuated by TV, magazines and
movies -- myths that, at least in my
opinion, deserve to be blown away!
1. Autistic People Are All Alike
Myth: If I’ve met an autistic person (or
seen the movie Rain Man), I have a good
idea of what all autistic people are
like.
Fact: Autistic people are as different
from one another as they could be. The
only elements that ALL autistic people
seem to have in common are unusual
difficulty with social communication.
2. Autistic People Don't Have Feelings
Myth: Autistic people cannot feel or
express love or empathy.
Fact: Many -- in fact, most -- autistic
people are extremely capable of feeling
and expressing love, though sometimes in
idiosyncratic ways! What's more, many
autistic people are far more empathetic
than the average person, though they may
express their empathy in unusual ways.
3. Autistic People Don't Build
Relationships
Myth: Autistic people cannot build solid
relationships with others.
Fact: While it’s unlikely that an
autistic child will be a cheerleader, it
is very likely that they will have solid
relationships with, at the very least,
their closest family members. And many
autistic people do build strong
friendships through shared passionate
interests. There are also plenty of
autistic people who marry and have
satisfying romantic relationships.
4. Autistic People Are a Danger to
Society
Myth: Autistic people are dangerous.
Fact: Recent news reports of an individual
with Asperger Syndrome committing violent
acts have led to fears about violence and
autism. While there are many autistic
individuals who exhibit violent behaviors,
those behaviors are almost always caused
by frustration, physical and/or sensory
overload, and similar issues. It’s very
rare for an autistic person to act
violently out of malice.
5. All Autistic People Are Savants
Myth: Autistic people have amazing
“savant” abilities, such as
extraordinary math skills or musical
skills.
Fact: It is true that a relatively few
autistic people are “savants.” These
individuals have what are called
“splinter skills” which relate only to
one or two areas of extraordinary ability.
By far the majority of autistic people,
though, have ordinary or even
less-than-ordinary skill sets.
6. Autistic People Have No Language
Skills
Myth: Most autistic people are non-verbal
or close to non-verbal.
Fact: Individuals with a classic autism
diagnosis are sometimes non-verbal or
nearly non-verbal. But the autism spectrum
also includes extremely verbal individuals
with very high reading skills. Diagnoses
at the higher end of the spectrum are
increasing much faster than diagnoses at
the lower end of the spectrum.
7. Autistic People Can't Do Much of
Anything
Myth: I shouldn’t expect much of an
autistic person.
Fact: This is one myth that, in my
opinion, truly injures our children.
Autistic individuals can achieve great
things -- but only if they're supported by
people who believe in their potential.
Autistic people are often the creative
innovators in our midst. They see the
world through a different lens -- and when
their perspective is respected, they can
change the world.
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4065 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 62
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online
Posted: 11-25-07 16:44pm
this doesnt apply to just those with
autism--it applies to all spectrums of
developemental disabilities
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wavyhaired
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 40
Posted: 03-03-08 14:04pm
I have plenty of autistic friends who are
perfectly sociable, and in effect, the
smartest and most entertaining of our
friends.
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4065 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 62
Thanked:51
online
Posted: 03-03-08 15:58pm
exactly!
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jennikay
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 23
Posted: 04-11-08 16:40pm
My son has asperger's which is on the
spectrum of autism and I agree with you he
is loving and kind and feels just as much
if not more than we "normal people" as far
as him being a savant I am don't think
this holds true to him but I don't care he
is wonderful the way he is.
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amanda st.
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 12 Location: ,
my husband and i are trying for a baby at 43 & 46 Posted: 05-29-08 17:17pm
every one keeps bringing up autism,like
its wrong for us to even try..I think its
terrible i would love my child no matter
what,and this post just confirms it to me
Thank you!!! I would never look at it as a
curse any baby would be a blessing
|
rooted
Supporter
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 364
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 06-02-08 06:28am
Good luck, Amanda. What ARE the increased
risks for autism when you conceive at a
later age (after 35-40 for women)?
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This page was last updated on June 11, 2008