Myths about Autism – Part Two

More myths about autism

In this blog, I’ll continue to debunk some common myths about autism.

Number seven

Myth #7: Autism only happens to boys

I read in 2004 that autism was more prevalent in males, and that if a female had autism that the girl’s version would be a more severe form of autism.

That is certainly not true today, and it possibly might not have been true in 2004.

Autism does continue to occur more in males, but it is not just a male condition.

Even though females are affected, scientists have yet to explain why it does seem like more males get diagnosed. They do feel that a nature vs. nurture issue might be the reason why females are less diagnosed than males. Females may simply show less symptoms early on than males.

Number eight

Myth #8: Individuals with autism cannot display empathy

It’s harder, but not impossible.

In other words, with our kids, it more of a learned behavior. Individuals with autism can learn to understand empathy. After that, they can learn how to display it.

They do feel empathy, but many don’t understand the feeling that well, don’t know how to express this feeling, and take longer to process empathy that typical individuals.

In addition, our kids may miss social cues.

For example, my child smiles when he gets nervous or when he dealing with something he doesn’t understand. If a peer cries, my child may be nearby with a smile on his face.

He can’t process as quickly as others that the peer had a reason a sad reaction. For instance, they just got injured.

When my child gets informed, he does react more appropriately.

However, I believe that inside he does understand how it may feel to be in pain. He has been injured before.

I believe my child has the capacity for empathy. It’s a learned behavior that he has to practice.

His facial expression, therefore, his smile, doesn’t always mean what other people think it means. He has to learn when a smile is appropriate.

Therefore, we have to work on that reaction, that social cue, with him so that he understands when to smile, and when not to smile.

Number nine

Myth #9: Autism can be cured

I have asked professionals about this onet.

The answer is a no, but with an asterisk. The asterisk is that less than 1% of those diagnosed on the autism spectrum do end up off of the autism spectrum. They get “cured.”

I was told is was probably individuals who barely qualified for an ASD diagnosis in the first place, or were misdiagnosed.

Autism has no cure. Children like mine are taught ways to cope with their surroundings. Some “pick it up” quicker than others, but most find ways to become teenagers and adults. They find ways to exist in our society.

Higher functioning individuals often would not want a cure. I know several adults with autism, a few who were never diagnosed, and they say they’re fine with who they are as individuals.

Number ten

Myth #10: All autistics are the same

Autism is a spectrum. No one child is like another child.

Each child falls on the autism spectrum, but no two are exactly alike.

Number eleven

Myth #11: Autistic vs. autism

These two terms have been strongly debated .

I believe the terms can and should be a choice. There’s no one way that has to be correct.

Here’s my argument. “People with autism” is a kinder way of describing an individual because it puts the person before the disorder.

You don’t label someone with cancer that way, why would you do it with an person with autism?

However, I have read excerpts from adults with autism who say that autism is a part of them, they are not offended when called an “autistic.”

They are not being cured of a disease like cancer. It is a permanent part of them. They feel more secure being called “autistic” because that’s what they are and it puts their autism in front as their identity. It simply doesn’t bother them.

In conclusion, I say find out the individuals’ preference and use it. The people with that individual may be more hurt by a certain term than the individual, but do your best to keep the peace.

I don’t really understand why the semantics of this “myth” is such a huge topic. It is simply a matter of listening and being as polite as possible in different situations.

There doesn’t need to be hurt feelings at all. If this word choice is simply a sensitive topic for some, then remain a peace-maker.

In my next blog, I’ll continue debunking myths about autism.

Here is some more reading about Myths about Autism – Part Two:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/neurotypical/autism-myths-and-misconceptions.php

Published by Kimberly Kaplan

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