Myths surrounding Autism
Autism is puzzling even to experts, so it is little wonder that it has given rise to many myths
andmisconceptions. There are misconceptions prevalent among the public that do little to advanceawareness and
treatment of the disorders.
Here are some of the common myths, along with their accompanying realities:
- Children with autism can perform amazing mental feats, such as memorizing thetelephone book or multiplying
large numbers in their heads.
Reality: A small number of children with autism have very high IQs and exhibit such“splinter skills,” which
relate only to one or two areas of extraordinary ability, as they arecalled, but most children with autism do
not. Sadly, about eight out of ten children withautism also have some degree of mental retardation, without any
extraordinary mentalabilitiesCold or distant mothering causes autism.
Reality: Autism is a biologically caused brain disorder. It does run in families, however, andsome mothers and
fathers of autistic children who seem extremely shy, socially awkward,or distant may themselves have very mild
forms of autism.
- Most children with autism never learn to talk; they have no language skills.
Reality: Individuals with a classic autism diagnosis are sometimes non-verbal or nearlynon-verbal. But the
autism spectrum also includes extremely verbal individuals with veryhigh reading skills. With early
identification and intensive intervention, as many asthree-quarters of children with autism are able to talk.
Children suffering from autism whonever acquire spoken language often have severe mental retardation in
addition to theirautism, which makes the learning of language especially difficult. With training, however,even
these children can often learn to communicate non-verbally
- Autism can be caused by vaccinations.
Reality: At least two large studies have looked for a link between vaccinations and autismand did not find any
evidence for it. Autism usually first appears within the first two yearsof life, at a time when children are
receiving many immunizations. The appearance ofautistic symptoms shortly after an immunization is bound to
happen some of the timesolely by chance.
- More Myths surrounding Autism
Children with autism are completely cut off from human relationships.
- More Myths surrounding Autism 1
More Myths surrounding Autism. Autism is caused by chemical imbalances or allergies that can be cured by special dietsor nutritional supplements.
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More Myths surrounding Autism 2
What are autism spectrum disorders?
Autism Guide: The Essential Guide To Autism
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