Parents & Guardians
Autism Myths in Kids: True or False?
A Guide to Parents to Set the Record Straight on Autism Misconceptions
Autism is becoming a more understood, thanks in part to the rise of TV characters with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Increased exposure in the media expands awareness and respect for families and kiddos with autism, but its portrayal can also raise a lot of questions and assumptions. It’s also important to understand what ASD is not.
We enlisted Hopebridge Director of ABA, Melissa Chevalier, to discuss some of the most common misconceptions connected to autism.
AUTISM IS NOT…
- the same for everyone.
- indicative of exceptional intellectual or artistic abilities.
- lower intelligence.
- non-communicative.
- the end of the world.
We sometimes see disappointment from families whose kiddos were recently diagnosed with ASD. Admittedly, this is new territory for many and that in itself can be scary, let alone some of the extra strains and worries that come with it.
This list of misconceptions and flat-out falsehoods could go on and on, just like the definition of autism. Thankfully early diagnosis of autism has started to shift the perception. There are more opportunities, therapies, technologies and coping methods for families. Most of all, there are communities that offer support, like the one we’ve built at Hopebridge.