My take on Myths About Autism

• Individuals with autism never make eye contact; they do not look at you.
• Autism is a mental illness.
• Progress means a person doesn't have autism. (who thinks this)
• Individuals with autism don't speak. (met other children living with autism who do speak)
• Autism can be outgrown. (don't we wish)
• Individuals with autism can't learn. (My son learns something new it seems like everyday)
• Underneath all the difficult behaviors is a normal person.
• Individuals with autism cannot show affection and do not respond to physical affection. (My son show more affection and responds to physical affection)
• Individuals with autism do not want friends.
• Individuals with autism do not relate to peers/adults. (he copys his peers/adults)
• Individuals with autism are very manipulative. (who really thinks this)
• Individuals with autism could talk if they wanted to.
• Individuals with autism can't smile. (my son smiles and laughs often)
• Individuals with autism don't notice others and don't pick up cues from adults. (even though he doesn't always look you in the eye he notices others and he does pick up cues from adults)
• When a person with autism does not respond to a question/direction to which he has shown a previous correct response, he is being stubborn/non-compliant/obnoxious. (again who really thinks this)