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Many myths about autism and those with autism are out there in the public domain. These misconceptions about autism could be harmful, offensive, and even false. Therefore, how we spread the information about autism is essential. This ensures that those with autism get the help, support, and understanding they both require and deserve. Autism Spectrum Disorder is often known as “autism” and can affect approximately 1 out of 100 people. The disorder of development is usually detected in children. However, some adults may be diagnosed later in their lives.
Uncovering the truth and myths regarding autism
With the increase in awareness, research, and more comprehensive and complete definitions of what autism is, we are aware of much more information on autism than before. There is much we don’t understand. It is important to ensure that we and those around us are educated on the truth and falsehoods regarding autism.
Here are the 10 most common myths about autism.
Myth 1: Autism is a disorder
One of the most common theories concerning autism claims that it’s a condition. People believe autism is curable through treatment and medication, like an illness. They assume that autistic individuals are “sick.” This is not the case.
The truth
Autism isn’t a disease. People with autism are not sick. Autism is not curable through medication. The term “cured” isn’t even a factor in the conversation!
Autism is a neuro-developmental condition that manifests as problems with communication or social skills and interactions. Autistic individuals can lead independently, with a meaningful, healthy, and full of life, particularly through therapy and intervention from professionals.
A myriad of factors can be thought to be responsible for the development of autism, from environmental to genetic causes. One thing is sure: it’s not an illness that you get!
Myth 2 – Vaccines Cause Autism
Some are not only the most fervent “anti-vaxxers” who falsely believe that vaccinations cause autism. While it’s a widely believed myth, it’s completely false.
The truth
The reason for this mythology lies in the latter part of the 1990s. A questionable research paper in an academic journal suggested a weak connection between autism and vaccines. In addition, the study differed from the standards of science. It was later slammed as deceiving, unreliable, and inconclusive of such conclusions. The researcher behind the research was removed from his medical license in the following years. The myth has spread through the last few decades despite no evidence of any connection between vaccinations and autism.
Myth 3 Autism is becoming a major issue.
The myth of autism is also an old one. Many believe it is the case that autism has become more commonplace to the point that it could be referred to as an epidemic’. Even those who may not be able to reach this level in their speech believe it is more common among children today.
The truth
While it’s a bit misleading and false, although it is a lie, the myth is reasonable in that the amount of people diagnosed as having autism has grown over the past couple of decades. This myth doesn’t indicate a growing awareness of autism spectrum disorders. As we’ve defined autism, as time passes, there’s been a rise in the diagnosis of autism, too. This means that more individuals who may have never been diagnosed with autism are now being identified and receiving the care and understanding they require. In the past, many of these individuals were without diagnosis and considered socially shy, awkward, insensitive, or a mix of these.
Myth 4: Every person with autism can be a savant
Another common misconception in the autism myths that have been only pushed by pop cultures, such as the film Rain Man and the TV show The Big Bang Theory, is that all autistic individuals are gifted. Savant abilities, as triggered by the savant syndrome, is a very uncommon condition where someone displays extraordinary and extraordinary mental capabilities. This could be due to art, memory music, quick calculation or.
The truth
Indeed, savant-like syndrome does not have to be an untruth. It’s a fact. What is not true is the notion that ALL autistic individuals can be savants. In reality, less than one in 10 (or 10 percent) of those with autism have a high level of a specific ability. Even among those with a “savant-like” ability, the abilities vary in nature and degree. Autistic people typically display a particular and focused attention to one specific area, at times completely ignoring all things and everything else. This implies they may possess a greater-than-average understanding of the subject in question. Naturally, this could confuse the extent to which they are savant-like. However, it’s more likely to be merely an indication of their enthusiasm for the subject.
Myth 5: People with Autism don’t have feelings.
This is a myth that is especially harmful and unfair to autistic individuals. Many people believe that autism is a sign that a person cannot feel emotions or be able to feel ALL emotions and thus is not interested or able to form relationships with others or make new friends.
The truth
This myth isn’t factual. People living with autism are capable of feeling every emotion. Because autism may affect one’s ability to socialize and communicate, it is frequently interpreted as an indication of a lack of interest or inability to build connections and relationships. Autistic people also struggle with understanding other people’s feelings, expressions, body language, and body language and recognizing social nuances. The different way of thinking and interaction could affect their ability to socialize and connect; however, it does not reflect their lack of interest or unwillingness. Therapy and intervention from professionals will help autistic persons fulfill their human need to be connected.
Myth 6: People with Autism have an intellectual disability and can’t communicate.
Another myth is the result of ignorance of the fact that autistic individuals are different in their abilities and have a spectrum. (Hence that’s why they are called Autism SPECTRUM Disorder.) It is an untruth that everyone with autism can think and communicate
The truth
There is a fact that some individuals with autism also have an intellectual disability, and some do not. It is important to remember that autism isn’t an intellectual impairment. Certain autistic individuals can communicate and speak while others don’t. Autistic people may have greater IQs than others, and some even have IQ levels that fall within the average range. In addition, there is an all-encompassing range of skills across all these areas, but even autistic individuals who are slow to develop speech progress at different rates and levels. There’s a wide variety of abilities, capabilities, capacities, and levels of communication for people who are autistic.
Myth 7 – A person can “grow beyond autism.”
A few people believe it’s a condition that children especially experience, and you can indeed “grow from autism” by undergoing therapy or intervention or even on your own.
The truth
There is no way to reverse autism. It’s a permanent disorder, and there isn’t any cure for autism, treatment, or medication (see Myth 1). It is a fact that we are constantly reminded that it is an autism spectrum, and it is not just that autistic individuals are each affected in a different way and ways, but also the extent of impact and the type of autistic characteristics can alter and evolve through the various stages of life for a person. Appropriate therapies and interventions can deal with specific issues, aid in the growth of communication and social capabilities, and enhance the quality of their lives. While it is a chronic disorder, there’s no reason to believe that people with autism shouldn’t have a happy and fulfilling life as any other person.
Myth 8: Autistic people are not able to be taught.
The myth of autism holds the same truth as the belief that people with autism possess intellectual abilities. People believe being autistic means you cannot learn or develop new abilities. It’s not the case.
The truth
At this point in this article, it should be clear that autism can be described as a spectrum, and every person’s learning style is unique. Like all individuals, the process of educating an individual with autism requires a thorough understanding of their abilities, needs, and the way they learn. People with autism may require greater understanding, methods of adjustment, and therapy to reach the same degree of learning. However, some do not require this. Certain individuals may be easier to train than children with autism. Professional and effective therapy can also be utilized to assist those who are autistic and have difficulties learning advanced and developing at their own pace and pace.
Myth 9 – Poor parenting can lead to autism
The myth of autism that bad parenting may result in ASD is just mythical as it is flimsy and completely false. There is no evidence or evidence to suggest that a parent’s behavior could cause autism.
The truth
The fact is straightforward: poor parenting is not a cause of autism. It should, therefore, be a given that a child who is diagnosed with autism doesn’t necessarily represent the abilities, love, or style of parenting or style of the parents. What caused this offensive myth to originate? In the 50s, a concept was often called “the Refrigerator Mother Hypothesis. The theory suggested mothers who were not emotionally warm or warm enough and who were indifferent or distant could traumatize their children so that they would trigger autism. Naturally, this untrue theory was disproved by science many years ago. However, the myth isn’t gone completely. As we’ve mentioned, when a misconception is prevalent-no matter how right it is, changing people’s perceptions can be like trying to get the bottle of genie back.
Myth 10 – Children with Autism tend to be more violent
There is a belief that children diagnosed with autism are violent, either in frequency or intensity, compared to other children. This harmful and unfair stereotype has resulted in much suffering during the last few years.
The truth
It isn’t true that all children diagnosed with autism are violent. And of those who are, it’s not always the case that they are “more dangerous” than other children who might use kicking, hitting, or screaming when they aren’t getting their way or get unhappy. Recent research suggests that violence is not more common among people with autism than in other children.
Children with autism who show these traits may be unable to deal with their emotions or communicate in alternative ways. Many children, whether autistic or not, may struggle with their emotions and appropriately manage them. Autistic children may struggle with sensory inputs from their environment and may not be able to control their moods or have difficulty communicating. There is no evidence to suggest that autistic children are in any way more violent or more likely to inflict physical injury.
Related: 13 Proven Teaching Strategies for Learners with Autism
Do not stop in your research on ASD.
You’ve got them. The ten most common misconceptions and myths surrounding autism spectrum disorders. We’d appreciate it if you shared this article with your friends since the more people know how autism works and doesn’t mean it, as well as the more significant number of people who we can debunk some of the myths, the more informed we’ll all be.
People with autism have the right to be treated with the compassion and understanding they require. And if we all acknowledge the necessity of never stopping developing and learning more about our knowledge of ASD and its effects, the better off we’ll all end up.
Parents and caregivers can learn more about autism awareness by checking out this online course.
