I think that it’s great that this month is Autism Awareness month and that there is so much going on to raise awareness of autism, perhaps this will shatter the many myths and stereotypes that surround Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Sometimes, it feels like autism is only in the news when an autistic person has committed a criminal act or an act of violence, or when Jenny McCarthy is on Oprah or Larry King talking about her latest book or vaccines, or it is announced that we’re in the middle of an autism epidemic.
No wonder people have such warped views on autism and don’t understand what it is. I even read a blog the other day written by a blogger who’d met a woman who was scared to get pregnant in case she had an autistic child! Sad!
Let’s have a look at some of the myths and views that surround the world of autism:-
- Autism is a mental illness similar to schizophrenia – No, autism has nothing to do with schizophrenia. Autism is a neurobiological and developmental disorder which commonly affects a person’s ability to communicate, socialize and empathize.
- You can tell an autistic person by looking at them – No, autism is an “invisible” condition.
- Autism is caused by the MMR vaccine – That’s such a sweeping statement! Although many people feel that there is a link between vaccines and autism, there are actually many potential causes or triggers of autism.
- Autism is caused by a lack of bonding between mother and child – This theory is known as “The Refrigerator Mother Theory” and was put forward by Dr Bruno Bettelheim in the 1950s and 60s. Autism is now seen as a biological condition, rather than a psychiatric one, and is nothing to do with bad parenting or lack of affection.
- All autistic people are savants – The film “Rainman” has got much to answer for! Not all autistic children and adults are savants like Dustin Hoffman’s character in the film, this is actually very rare.
- Autistic people are violent – This myth is fueled by news reports of autistic people becoming violent. What about the majority of violent acts that are committed by people without autism? Autistic children and teenagers can lash out in frustration but their autism does not mean that they are going to grow up to be violent and aggressive.
- Autism cannot be cured – This is a controversial one and many people get rather angry and upset about this debate. I believe that autism can be treated and cured, in that a person can recover from it. If an autistic child has treatment, their symptoms disappear and they are taken off the spectrum, then I believe that they are cured.
- Autism is one disorder – No, the autism spectrum is made up of five different disorders – Rett Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Kanner’s Autism (SLD Autism or Classic Autism). Each disorder has its own particular characteristics and symptoms.
- An autistic child cannot be treated or educated and parents just have to accept that – Not true. There are all kinds of treatments available for autism. I believe that biomedical treatments, that work on the trigger of autism symptoms, are the most effective. An autistic child can reach their full potential with a program of treatment and support.
- Autism is rare – Unfortunately not, the Center for Disease Control figures state that autism affects 1 in 150 children in the US alone.
I’m not sure that we’re ever going to live in a world free of discrimination, hatred and stereotypes, and where people don’t look disapprovingly at you when your child throws a tantrum in public, but we can help educate others and do our bit to raise autism awareness.
8 Comments
Hi. That’s a great list, but I just had one comment. It is true that autism and schizophrenia are not the same illness, and have nothing to do with each other. But it is true that autism and schizophrenia have a strong genetic correlation in families, and may involve pathology in similar parts of the brain or in similar neurotransmitter systems.
i am honey faith and i have subscribed in your free report about autism not for long ago and i would like to thank you that you have given me fresh insights about autism. you see i am a mother who also has an autistic child, my only son at that his name is Dzeremiah. at first it came as a frustration for me when i learned that my child is autistic. i am a nurse and it was hard for me to accept because he is the first in our family history that has this condition eventhough i know some ideas about autism from what i have learned from school but actually having a child living with it was very difficult for me especially if he is triggered with his tantrums at home or in public. right now my son is already 4 yrs old is presently having a once a week OT and speech therapy and i am glad that it helps me learn more about it.for now thanks so much.
Godbless for your dedicationin providing new and up to date facts and information about autism.
I’d strongly disagree with the statement that autism has nothing to do with schizophrenia. Autism, like schizophrenia, “is a neurobiological and developmental disorder which commonly affects a person’s ability to communicate, socialize and empathize.” And there are extensive overlaps between the two disorders, including potentially similar etiologies. They may be two clinically-distinct disorders, but the underlying cause could be the same, with specific expression being trigger by a complex set of genetic, nutritional, familial, environmental, and geographical factors.
I understand your view point. But my intention is to let everyone with autistic kids know that we must not group them together as a mental disease like schizophrenia. You might or might not about the Risperdal drug approved recently by FDA for treating autism which is used for schizoprenia also. We would loss the opportunity to treat those kids and give them a chance of defeating autism.
This blog is highly informative
My healthcare professional advised that my daughter take Adderall . Do you think it’s harmless or will there ever be a little something more suitable? I found out that there are actually useful drug-free treatment methods for the purpose of ADHD.
Hi Sean, the problem with Adderall is addiction as it seem to work like cocaine. The side-effects outweigh the benefits. There are plenty of safer ways to help with ADHD. Have her neurotransmitters profile survey for deficiences, check your daughter’s CNS receiving enough oxygen/circulation, any low blood sugar and receiving proper positive stimulation. You want to pay attention to dopamine neurotransmitter and any food sensitivities.