How to Dispel Myths about Autism

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By Tammi Reynolds Reynolds
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No two are exactly alike

Individuals diagnosed within the autism spectrum of disorders vary greatly. Autism is one of five pervasive developmental disorders. In order to understand autism better, it is necessary to explore the common myths associated with autism and pervasive developmental disorders.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Access to the Internet
Literature about autism and related pervasive developmental disorders
Connections with families affected by autism
Access to professionals in the field of autism

Dispel the Myths

Step 1

Get the facts. Autism is one of five pervasive developmental disorders. A person can have PDD but not have autism in particular. The five PDD conditions have things in common and vary in severity.
Step 2

Sort out the confusion. What confuses the issue is that all pervasive developmental disorders fall in what is known as the autism spectrum. It is common for someone diagnosed with PDD-NOS to be called autistic even though that individual is no diagnosed specifically with autistic disorder.
Step 3

Look past the stereotypes. Many individuals who have a diagnosis within the autism spectrum are very high functioning. There are no two individuals who are exactly alike and abilities vary greatly.
Step 4

Get to know famous historical figures believed to have had autistic traits. These include Jane Austin, Emily Dickenson, Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Friedrich Nietzsche and Isaac Newton. Take note of common threads and vast differences.
Step 5

Avoid the "Rainman" trap. Many people immediately picture Dustin Hoffman's famous character, Raymond Babbitt from the movie "Rainman." While this character is based on a real person named Kim Peek, he represents only ten percent of the autistic population.
Step 6

Recognize that everyone has some autistic traits. These traits can be found in the individual who is addicted to video games, one who avoids direct eye contact and one who needs everything to be in order. Many neurotypical people who have autistic traits may be described as shy, meticulous, introverted or ingenious.
Step 7

Talk to professionals in the field of autism. They have a plethora of information to share about pervasive developmental disorders and the myths surrounding them.
Step 8

Talk to families affected by autism. Many parents face so many challenges with the common myths about autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. Don't forget to talk directly to the affected individual. He probably has a lot of input on the subject.
Step 9

Look at the individual rather than the disorder. People diagnosed with autism or related pervasive developmental disorders are like snowflakes. Snowflakes have fundamental features that make them snow crystals. However, no two are exactly alike.

Comments

momofour said

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on 11/12/2008 Thanks for such a great article. Autism is so misunderstood by the general public as well as the medical establishment at times. Getting past the stereo-type and educating the public is so very important. Families dealing with autism face so much without adding the burden of public ignorance. *****

MelinaB said

on 2/3/2008 Thank you for writing this! I am a parent of three children, a four year old who is at a genius level and having trouble in PreK (he's bored out of his mind!) who is obsessed with movies, a three year old boy with a diagnosis of autism, and a ten month old girl. I get the rude stares all the time, and I appreciate the fact that you wrote "avoid giving parental advice to strangers...." if people just realized what we're dealing with it would cause less tears and heart-ache. You made my day better, thank you!