When it comes to autism, myths and facts abound like anything. A lot of blame rests with TV, movies and internet making it look like not what it is. But yes, one thing you should know – most people with autism are neither severely disabled nor soaring geniuses. Not only are they different from one another but are also bound by challenges in specific areas of functioning that impairs their daily usual activities. And yes, a diagnosis of autism is neither an onset of amazing savant abilities nor does it beckon the end of hope and love.
Here are some of autism myths and facts –
Myth 1. Autistic people are all alike
This myth is clearly the result of media feeding us wrong picture of this neuro disorder. To believe that autistic people are all alike is quite like buying into the claim that all cities are alike.
The fact is, autistic people will be different from one another and the only commonality among them is the difficulty with social communication.
Myth 2. Autistic people can express or feel love
It’s a myth that autistic people don’t have feelings. You should not believe that such people can’t express or feel love or empathy.
The fact is, most people diagnosed with autism are capable of expressing and feeling love, though their manner many be awkward or anything but standard. In fact, many are more sympathetic than common men, though they may lack the typical-ness to express their sympathy.
Autistic people however can develop empathy if helped along as they are not good at decoding feelings are expressions based on the body language of others. They can respond with true empathy if made to know feelings of others.
3. Autistic people can’t build relationships
It’s also a myth that people with autism are not capable of building solid relationships with others. So, don’t believe that ever.
The fact is, most autistic people have solid relationships with their family members, at least with the closest members. Many of them also do build strong friendships with people based on shared interests and feelings.
What’s more, you will find a lot of autistic people with romantic relationships culminating into marriage. It’s all about compatibility and sharing interests with others when it comes to the relationship-building ability of autistic people.
4. Autistic persons are mostly violent
It’s a myth that autistic people are mostly violent. It’s also wrong to believe that they are dangerous to society.
But yes, the fact is, some autistic individuals may exhibit violent behaviours which in most cases would be directed to themselves rather than to others. Such behaviours in them are result of certain momentary grievances rather than any neurological conditions.
You are least likely to find an autistic person who will act violently out of malice. Most of them will be kind, calm and of helpful nature.
5. Autistic people are geniuses
It’s myth to believe that autistic people are geniuses or have exceptional savant abilities. Not all of them would be extraordinary at maths or music.
The fact, a fraction of autistic people are savants whose abilities can surprise even talented adults. Despite that, most of them are not able to do justice to their skill set or put it to practical use for various reasons. In most cases, autistic people have skill sets quite like ordinary people.
Clearly, myths are plenty with autistic people and it’s always better to have some knowledge about them and understand them a bit better. Plus, the easy availability of world-class autism treatment means anyone can hope to get better and return back to normalcy soon.
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