We’ve often heard people give their explanation of what autism maybe and unfortunately, not every time are the facts accurate. Overtime, there have been lots of misconceptions surrounding autism. This blog explores these common misconceptions and what the real deal is. Some of the top misconceptions are addressed below:
Autism is a behavioral/mental health disorder:
In truth, autism is not some behavioral or mental health disorder. Instead, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that hinders an individual’s ability to communicate and interact with others as easily and effectively as other people can. Studies have shown that people on the spectrum have depicted abnormalities in the way their brain is structured as well as differences in their neurotransmitter levels. Additionally, people with such developmental disabilities are more susceptible to being diagnosed with other disorders that ultimately require more attention and care.
Autism can be cured:
Up till now no cure has been found for autism. However, the effects of autism can be mitigated via early intervention and through the provision of adequate care during a child’s early developmental stages. There are many treatments that focus on equipping people on the spectrum with the necessary skills they require to keep up with the modern world. These require intensive training and time and patience. For instance, if autistic individuals were trained to improve their social skills through focused coping strategies, it would become difficult to identify them as having autism when amongst other people. With the right support, people on the spectrum can lead happy lives.
Children with autism are more aggressive: