Are you the new parent of an autistic child?
If so, you may find yourself believing some harmful misconceptions about it.
You may have heard several of them from well meaning but misinformed family and friends.
We’re Little Feet Therapy, a pediatric therapy clinic, and we believe that knowledge is power.
That’s why autistic therapy for children often includes dispelling misconceptions parents have about their child and autism.
In today’s article, we’ll talk about some of these misconceptions.
You may also find helpful our previous article answering frequently asked questions about autism spectrum disorder.
Myth: Autistic Kids Don’t Like To Be Social
The myth that autistic kids don’t like to be social is a prevalent one.
This misconception is often perpetuated in popular media, such as television and movies.
Unfortunately, it makes people believe that autistic kids don’t have the same socialization needs as allistic children.
Why It’s False
Socialization is a human necessity.
Autistic kids have just as much of a need for socialization as anyone else.
Your autistic kid might interact with others differently than others, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t need or enjoy socialization.
What’s The Truth?
One of the hallmark traits of autism is differences in communication.
For instance, many autistic kids will find nonverbal communication cues, such as facial expressions or body language, confusing or hard to interpret.
Others may have a difficult time understanding changes in vocal tones during conversations.
These communication differences can sometimes make socialization more challenging.
However, that doesn’t mean autistic kids don’t like to be social.
They may just need some additional social skills development support.
Myth: Autism Is A Phase – They’ll Grow Out Of It
There’re many things that your child will grow out of.
Autism isn’t one of them.
Why It’s False
Autism is not a disease.
There is no known “cure” for autism, and it’s unlikely one will be found.
It’s a difference in neurological development.
That means autistic brains are wired differently.
Many autistic people embrace their autism as an important aspect of their identity.
Therefore, the idea that autism is something your child might grow out of is completely inaccurate.
What’s The Truth?
If your child is autistic, they’ll grow up to be an autistic adult.
It’s not a “problem” to be corrected, but it does mean your child is likely to need different supports as they develop.
For instance, many autistic children experience:
Pediatric therapy can provide you and your autistic child with the supports necessary for long term success.
Myth: If Your Child Is Autistic, It’s Because You’re A Bad Parent
Currently, autism’s exact cause(s) remain unknown.
But one thing’s for certain: it’s not a result of bad parenting.
Why It’s False
In the past, some people believed that bad or neglectful parenting might cause autism.
However, today’s research has debunked this idea as nothing more than a harmful myth.
What’s The Truth?
Autistic kids can come from all different types of parents with various parenting strategies.
Parents don’t make their children autistic, but they can help their autistic children cope with life challenges.
Providing a supportive, patient, and understanding environment for your autistic child can help them build their strengths and instill confidence in their abilities.
Myth: Autistic Kids Are Highly Intelligent
Myths that appear positive or complimentary can still cause significant harm to autistic children.
The myth that all autistic kids are highly intelligent is one example.
Why It’s False
Intelligence in general is a difficult thing to measure.
However, some autistic kids are particularly intelligent.
Between 60 and 70% of autistic kids also have a learning disability of some type.
However, a learning disability does not mean your child is not intelligent.
What’s The Truth?
There’s no link between autism and high intelligence.
Just like their allistic counterparts, autistic kids come in a range of intelligence levels.
However, autistic people are more likely to be savants.
Autistic kids with savant syndrome display some sort of extraordinary talent or skill.
However, no more than 10% of autistic people fall into this category.
Additionally, savant syndrome doesn’t necessarily refer to intelligence in particular.
Other special talents or skills associated with savant syndrome include music, sports, and advanced memory.
Assuming every autistic kid will display a savant skill can put unnecessary pressure and unobtainable expectations on your child.
Every child is different with varying levels of intelligence.
Myth: Autism Is More Common Today Than It Used To Be
Have you ever heard someone proclaim that “everybody seems to be autistic these days”?
It’s true that autism is more discussed and is diagnosed at higher rates today.
But does that mean that there are more autistic people than before?
Why It’s False
Kids are more likely to be diagnosed as autistic today than in the past.
But that’s related to our greater understanding of autism and improved diagnostic criteria used today.
What’s The Truth?
Modern technology and research have given us an increased understanding of autism.
Therefore, many autistic kids who might’ve slipped through the cracks in the past are now being diagnosed.
It’s unlikely that there are “more” autistic people than in the past.
We’re just better at recognizing it now.
Myth: Autistic Kids Have Difficulty With Learning
Many people assume that autistic kids don’t learn as well as others.
This myth is as harmful as it is incorrect.
Why It’s False
We linked a study above saying that 60-70% of autistic kids have a learning disability.
That’s true.
However, autism is a spectrum.
Every autistic child is unique.
As well, having a learning disability does not mean your child is not able to learn.
They will just need more supports and services to learn more readily.
What’s The Truth?
Not all autistic kids have a learning disability.
However, autistic kids are more likely to have a learning disability.
It’s also true that autistic kids tend to learn and process information differently.
But that doesn’t mean they’re any less capable of learning.
For instance, some autistic kids need more time to process new information.
But with patience, understanding, and the right support, your autistic child can thrive in learning environments.
Myth: Autistic Kids Can’t Speak
In the past, kids who were recognized as autistic tended to be the ones with high support needs.
As a result, it was more likely that people would meet autistic kids who couldn’t communicate using spoken word.
But is that true?
Why It’s False
Just like autism itself, speaking abilities among autistic kids exist on a spectrum.
Everybody is different.
What’s The Truth?
About 1 in 4 autistic kids are nonspeaking.
This means they can speak only a few words, or none at all.
Others can speak most of the time, are unable to during times of stress or high emotions.
However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t communicate at all.
Many nonspeaking autistic kids use alternative and augmentative communication methods, such as communication assistive devices, sign language, or cue cards.
Myth: Autism Is Only A Thing In Boys
Some people think that autism only exists in boys.
But this line of thinking does a major disservice for autistic girls looking for a diagnosis to access more supports and services.
Why It’s False
Research has shown that this is not the case.
Autism is not limited by gender, one way or another.
What’s The Truth?
It is true that more boys are diagnosed with autism than girls.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the condition is more common in boys.
Previously, research done on autism only included boys.
Therefore, limited information regarding autism in girls is available.
Recent research has indicated that autism often manifests differently in girls.
For instance, girls are sometimes more capable of “masking” their autism symptoms, meaning girls often feel pressured to “fit in” to societal expectations surrounding their behavior.
Therefore, autistic girls frequently slip under the diagnostic radar.
More research is necessary to determine the differences between autistic boys and girls.
Myth: Autistic People Don’t Have Any Emotions
Can autistic people feel emotions?
Of course.
But unfortunately, some people believe otherwise.
Why It’s False
Emotions are part of human life.
Some may have more trouble experiencing them than others, but all humans experience them one way or another.
So, of course autistic kids can feel emotion.
What’s The Truth?
Autistic people sometimes interact with emotions differently than others.
For instance, some autistic people have trouble interpreting other people’s emotions.
However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t care about other’s emotion or don’t feel emotions themselves.
Therapy can help autistic kids navigate emotions.
Myth: Autism Is Caused By Vaccines
This last myth is perhaps the most prevalent one.
Can vaccines really cause autism? No.
Why It’s False
This myth dates back to the 1990s.
A now debunked research study claimed that vaccines, specifically the MMR vaccine, was linked with autism.
But further research proved that this claim is 100% false.
What’s The Truth?
There is no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism.
In fact, the physician that published the aforementioned study has since lost his medical license.
Like we previously stated, we still don’t know the exact causes of autism.
However, modern research has consistently shown that vaccines have nothing to do with it.
Book Your Appointment With Little Feet Therapy Today
Is your child autistic, or do you suspect they are?
If so, we hope this article helps dispel some of the misconceptions you may have about autism.
Here at Little Feet Therapy, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of support to autistic children and their families.
We’re here to help.
Book your appointment with Little Feet Therapy today.
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Founded in 2019, Little Feet Therapy offers on site pediatric physical and occupational therapy treatments for children from 2 months to 18 years old with physical and developmental concerns. Our clinics focus on providing therapy in a child’s natural setting where your child is in familiar surroundings, it puts their mind at ease and helps them focus more on the work they’re doing with their pediatric therapist. Our therapists will work with your child at your home, at school, at daycare, or another place in the community where they feel most comfortable.