Autism Myth: You should use person first language when talking about autism e.g. ‘person with autism’
Autism Fact: Research has shown that autistic people largely prefer identity first language. It is polite to check with individuals, because everyone is different, but the overwhelming majority will point out that autism is an inherent part of their identity and not something that can be separated from them.
Autism Myth: Autism is a mental health condition
Autism Fact: Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental difference. However, research indicates that a large proportion of autistic people will have co-existing mental health conditions such as anxiety, because their needs (due to their differences with social communication, interaction and sensory processing) are not being met.
Autism Myth: If a person is autistic, they will not have any other condition
Autism Fact: Autism can coexist with other conditions including, but not limited to, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, epilepsy and many others. Autism is not a learning disability; some autistic people may have a learning disability as well (many won’t).
Autism Myth: Autistic people won’t make eye contact
Autism Fact: Some autistic people find it difficult/physically painful to make eye contact and many report that focusing on eye contact makes it impossible for them to listen. Some will ‘mask’ their difficulty to conform to societal demands – often at great personal cost as this may be exhausting for them. Some may have a greater tolerance for eye contact. Eye contact should never be insisted on or ‘taught’.
Autism Myth: Only children have autism
Autism Fact: Autism is a lifelong developmental difference – autistic children become autistic adults; autism is not a degenerative condition and you don’t ‘grow out of it’ either. Autistic people are most likely to fulfil their potential with specialised support and a knowledgeable, understanding general public. Many adults are being diagnosed later in life, now that we have a better understanding of autism.
Autism Myth: Stimming (repetitive behaviour like flapping or rocking) is undesirable and should be stopped
Autism Fact: Repetitive behaviour like flapping or rocking can help some autistic people deal with chaotic environments or stress and if suppressed may exacerbate their distress. Stimming can be a healthy method of personal expression & sometimes communication and does not always indicate stress. Behaviours should only ever be stopped when they are harmful to the person or to others, or illegal.
Autism Myth: Autism only affects males
Autism Fact: Autism affects males and females. Official statistics indicate that more males are affected (1 female to every 4 males). Research indicates that this figure may be more like 1 female to every 1.5 males as it may be harder for females than males to get a diagnosis for autism. This is partly because most diagnostic tools were developed based on a male presentation of autism and have only recently begun to be improved. The process of diagnosing autism can vary depending on location and the diagnosticians/diagnostic services but Autism diagnoses in the UK should now follow guidelines issued by NICE (See the NAS website for more information about diagnosis in the UK).
Mandy Higgs 