Some Myths and Facts about Autism

Myth
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder wish to avoid social contact
Fact
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often keen to make friends but, due to their disability, find this difficult.

Myth
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder cannot lead successful lives.
Fact
Given appropriate education, many children with autism spectrum disorder grow up to be successful contributors to the society.

Myth
Autism is the result of bad parenting.
Fact
Although causes of all autism spectrum disorders are not known, it is known that parental behavior does not cause autism spectrum disorders to develop.

Myth
All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have special talent or "savant skill".
Fact
Only 10% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have special talents. Most have “splinter skills”, areas of high performance that are not consistent with other skill levels.

Myth
Autism can be cured.
Fact
Autism is not a disease , thus there is no cure. Autism, however can be managed in an autism-friendly environment with good outcome.

There are many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment. One of the most devastating myths about autistic children is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children with autism, they can and do give affection. But it may require a parent’s patience to accept and give love on the child’s terms.

Source: Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)