Asperger's Syndrome - More Myths surrounding Autism 2

More Myths Surrounding Autism 2

ASDs are degenerative.
Reality: Actually, people with autism who are receiving specialized services should improveover time rather than decline.

ASDs aren’t inherited.
Reality: More and more families are being identified as having more than one member withan ASD. In fact, since so little was known about ASDs for so long, some families have aparent with an ASD that was either misdiagnosed or never diagnosed at all. Many familiesalso have more than one sibling with an ASD.

An autistic child’s classmates shouldn’t be told about his or her disorder because they won’t notice something is wrong with the child if you don’t mention it.
Reality: ASDs are noticeable and children are more perceptive than we often give them credit for. Children as young as 5 notice differences in the children around them. Therefore,if they don’t receive the correct information about the autistic child’s disorder, they are forced to draw their own conclusions, which are likely to be wrong. Of course,confidentiality rules (where applicable) must be followed and parents must give their permission before the condition is discussed in a classroom setting.

There are behavioral programs that can cure autism.
Reality: The fact is that autism is not curable. Behavioral programs may help the autistic person to better handle the disorder, but they will not cure the disorder.