10 Common Autism Myths

I spotted this over at The Stir blog. I found myself nodding and saying "oh yeah, that one.." out loud so I thought I'd share.

Myth #1:Eye contact is impossible for someone with autism.
Some people with autism find making eye contact with others difficult, but others have no problem whatsoever.
(Take a look at the photo of Miss Fliss in the header of this blog and tell me she can't give eye contact!!)

Myth #2:People with autism can't show affection.
My son is the biggest snuggle bug ever! Being able to snuggle up has never been a problem for him. For some, it is, but not all.
(ummmmm I have many a time been gifted with a big sloppy kiss from Fliss!!)

Myth #3:If a child is progressing, he never had autism.
This is not true. It takes work and patience, but progress is possible!
(There are just too many ways Felicity has shown that progress is so very, very possible to list here!!)

Myth #4:People with autism cannot communicate.
If someone with autism is nonverbal, they have other ways of communicating. Sign language, pictures, computers, etc. are all forms of communication. Just because a person can't talk, it doesn't mean they can't communicate.
(sooooo, when Miss Fliss comes up to me in the morning with her hairbrush and hair ties... hands them to me then turns around and leans her head/hair into me to be brushed.. This is not communication?!?... I think there is a mistake here!!)

Myth #5:Autism is the result of bad or neglectful parenting.
The "refrigerator mother" myth has been around for some time, and I'm actually surprised it still exists. Almost every parent of a child with autism I've met is very kind, loving, and incredibly patient. They also spend much of their time feeling needlessly guilty about their child's autism, so this myth is less than helpful.
(there are many other things than can be the result of 'bad' or 'neglectful' parenting but Autism just isn't one of them)

(This one gave me a giggle...)
Myth #6:If you have autism, you can repeat the whole phone book or know what day of the week April 23 will fall on in 4 years.
While most children with autism are very smart, an autistic savant is rare. We can all thank the movie Rainman for this little myth. So in the future, please do not ask a mom to get her kid to perform parlor tricks for you.
(If I had a dollar for when I have heard "so she must be able to do really advanced Maths and stuff, Hey?" we would never have to fund-raise again!!)

Myth #7:Children with autism do not want friends.
All children want friends. Some can show this is a better way than others, but I think all children want a friend. Allot of kids with autism just can't figure out how to go about it.
(Miss Fliss is like a celebrity around our homes! She has more friends than I can count!)

Myth #8:Kids with autism don't get their feelings hurt.
If you've ever seen my son's face after a kid has refused to play with him, you'd know this is not true. They might not get mad and yell at someone, or sit down and cry over it, but it's just as easy to hurt a child with autism's feelings as any other. Please remind your children to be kind.
(Just because you have Autism doesn't mean you aren't human!)

Myth #9:Better discipline would get their acts together.
Boy, do I love that one! I've been told on many occasions that all I need to do is spank him. Another good one, "Let me keep him for a few days, I'll fix him." You can't spank or yell autism away any easier than you can spank cancer away.
(Ahhhh yes, nothing a good smack on the bum wouldn't fix.... I think NOT!)

Myth # 10:If a person with autism can't communicate, he can't understand you either.
If someone tapes your mouth closed, do your ears plug up as well? Comprehension skills and expressive skills can develop at different speeds and often do with autism. Just because a child can not say "I love you" does not mean he doesn't hear you when you tell him you love him.
(just like when a parent tells their 'non-verbal' newborn baby "I love you" without expecting a response...)