Debunking Common Myths About Autism
Myths about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) abound. In fact, a lot of the misconceptions about ASD emanate from these myths. The purpose of this article is to debunk some of the most common autism myths, clarify the truth about autism, and offer further resources for anyone seeking more information about ASD.
Common Misconceptions About ASD
The following offers clarification about some of the most common misconceptions of ASD.
Myth: People with autism either can’t or won’t form meaningful relationships.
Truth: Many autistic individuals can and do form close personal and social bonds with others. While it’s true that there are people with ASD who face challenges when it comes to interacting in social settings or one-on-one with others, it’s also true that many people with ASD do form close friendships, fall in love, and start families. A person with autism may express love and affection in a way that differs from the neuro-typical mold or some people’s expectations, but that doesn’t mean people with ASD aren’t capable of forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.
Myth: Most people with ASD have intellectual and mental disabilities.
Truth: There is no evidence that people with ASD are more or less intelligent than those not on the autism spectrum. Each person, whether they have autism or not, has unique talents and capabilities. In fact, there are many people with autism who earn advanced degrees and work in intellectually rigorous professions.
Myth: People with ASD are geniuses and/or have savant abilities.
Truth: People with ASD are not automatically super-intelligent. And autistic people do not all possess savant abilities like being musical prodigies or having photographic memories. While there are some individuals with these abilities, they are by far the rare exception to the rule.
Myth: All people with autism are mentally ill.
Truth: Autism is not a mental illness. Rather, it is a neurological disorder that has been linked to abnormalities in brain function and structure. People with autism may or may not have co-occurring mental health challenges.
Myth: You should never hug an autistic person as they don’t like any kind of close human contact.
Truth: Even though some individuals experiencing sensory sensitivity shy away from being touched, many people with autism do like to be hugged and enjoy other forms of touch, like light massage.
Myth: More children are getting autism because of exposure to something in the environment.
Truth: While it’s true that ASD diagnoses have risen over the years, it’s unlikely that this is because of environmental factors. Rather, the best explanations for the increase in autism diagnosis center around improvements in diagnostic methods that identify autism characteristics as existing on a continuum with people experiencing autism in varying degrees of severity. In addition, there is greater awareness about ASD, leading more people to seek out professional help.
Myth: Autism comes from poor parenting.
Truth: The myth that autism comes from bad parenting originated in the middle of the 20th century. The thought then was that emotionally distant parents, particularly “cold mothers,” caused children to become autistic. Today, we know that whether or not a child develops autism has nothing to do with parenting style.
Myth: People with autism are violent and dangerous.
Truth: It is unusual for people with ASD to pose a danger to others or society. In cases where a person with autism acts aggressively, it is likely not with malicious intent. Aggression may manifest as a knee-jerk reaction to sensory overload or as the result of some type of emotional distress. This is still rare, however, as people on the autism spectrum tend to avoid being in social situations that would provoke their anxiety or make it difficult for them to cope.
Myth: You can cure autism.
Truth: Autism spectrum disorders are not “curable.” There is treatment, however, to reduce the severity of symptoms. For example, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is based on the science of learning and behavior in real-life environments, helps people with autism learn to increase behaviors that are adaptive in social environments and decrease behaviors that hinder the learning of adaptive skills.
Autism Specialty Group Offers Resources on ASD
Whether you’re just beginning to research autism or you’re looking for in-depth information about how to help your child with autism, Autism Specialty Group can help. Our online article repository offers a wealth of information on everything from what ABA therapy is and how it works to specific answers to questions like how to connect with an autistic child.
To learn more about how ASG employs ABA therapy to help autistic children become their best selves, contact us today or call us at 305-676-1924.