Autism: Do You Know the Truth?

Let's talk about autism. It's time that somebody debunks all those myths and preconceived ideas regarding autism that mass media has implemented (Mercury Rising, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, etc.). A lot of us are uneducated on the truths behind this complex disorder, and given its prevalence, I think it deserves some clarification. Don't you? If you have a child with autism, than you're well aware of how complicated diagnostics can be and that there is a broad spectrum of comorbid symptoms that children with autism experience. There's so much unknown about the disorder, primarily because it's difficult for children with autism to express their thoughts or emotions in terminology others will comprehend. Fully understanding autism is a work in progress.

Let me digress for a moment and tell you about my first encounter with the word "autism". Every New Years Eve, my immediately family and I drive out to the Port Jefferson area to visit my father's side of the family. My cousin Tammy owns this beautiful home by the water. We usually meet at some fancy restaurant for dinner and then move on to Tammy's house to eat a plethora of delicious desserts and watch football until we pass out.

Every year, my father drives the same route. I remember when Tammy first bought the house, we were so excited to see it. We drove through her neighborhood and passed this little house with the most outlandish lawn I've ever seen. There was barely any visible grass: mostly sand. Every adjacent house had perfectly mowed lawns and long curvy driveways. This house, on the other hand, was an eye sore (according to local residents, at least). The entire lawn was riddled with giant plastic statues of one-eyed Pirates with fake swords and fake green parrots clawing their shoulders. It looked like all where in the midst of bloody battle by sword. My father slowly drove past so we could gander and ponder what in the world that homeowner was thinking. It clearly drove down the costs of neighboring houses, being the residential "blemish" it was. I thought it was cool.

Finally, we asked Tammy. Why the pirates? Turns out, the homeowners had an only child with autism. He hadn't spoken a word his whole life; that is, until the day they brought him to the Pirates of the Caribbean display at Disney World. He absolutely LOVED the setup, and it was the first time his parents ever heard him speak. Unfortunately, after they left, the child became nonverbal again. So, praying it could encourage their child to speak again, they devoted their lawn to a Pirates of the Caribbean theme. Now that's a tear jerker. Neighbors, even aware of the circumstances, petitioned to have the family remove the display they most likely spent thousands on. This was about a decade ago. It's still there.

That was the first time I had ever heard about autism. When I went to school at SUNY Buffalo, I learned a lot about autism as a Psychology major. I'm dedicating this post to that autistic child who would much rather be a pirate. This if for you.

Autism: Myth VS Reality

Myth: All children with autism are nonverbal, will never talk, or could talk if they wanted to.

Reality: A lot of children do actually improve their verbal skills through speech therapy. But talking is really only one way of communicating. At an early age, children with autism can learn to compensate their trouble with spoken word by using other forms of communication to express themselves, such as sign language, computers, alternative/augmentative communication devices, etc.

Myth: All children with autism have mental retardation.

Reality: Some children with autism may have some degree of mental retardation, but according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, mental retardation is characterized "by significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (IQ of about 70 or below). Diagnostic criteria for autism, on the other hand, lists 6 or more items in impairment, including difficulty in speech, social interaction, and lack of emotion. There is no specific reference to IQ in the diagnostic criteria for autism, so to think that all individuals with autism have mental retardation is a misled generalization.

Myth: All children with autism are "geniuses," have a gift or talent, or are intelligent.

Reality: This is a myth that mass media has definitely perpetuated. Mercury Rising is one of my favorite movies, but it definitely perpetuates this false myth. In reality, all children with autism have their strengths and weaknesses. But, not ALL children with autism have a special gift. But, some do, which is pretty incredible: an anomaly of nature to truly be dwelled on and studied if you ask me.

Myth: Autistic children cannot learn.

Reality: Children with autism experience a much different learning process than individuals without. Some are visual learners, others learn through listening, and some through physical performance. This myth isn't true. Children with autism, when given an appropriate teaching style adherent to their learning process, can easily learn.

Myth: Children with autism cannot make eye contact.

Reality: Actually, many children with autism do make eye contact. It may me less frequent and more a visual gesture than a way of communicating.

Myth: Children who often demonstrate disruptive behaviors, like throwing temper tantrums, hitting, and destroying things, most likely have autism.

Reality: These symptoms are more tied to an antisocial personality disorder than autism. These criteria alone cannot bring a professional even close to diagnosing a child with autism.

Myth: Children will "outgrow" autism.

Reality: Unfortunately, this myth is far from the truth. Autism is not something an individual can simply outgrow. But, an individual, especially one who engages in early treatment, can progress, diminish symptoms, and improve their overeall ability to lead a normal life and follow a daily routine.

Myth: Children with autism cannot show affection.

Reality: Children with autism don't always show affection the way children without autism do. But, many can show affection; it's up to their caregiver to understand the ways in which their autistic child displays these acts of affection.

Myth: All children with autism have sensory issues.

Reality: Many children with autism DO have sensory issues, but it is not alone a criteria to diagnose autism. Several children without autism have sensory issues as well.

Myth: Autism can be cured with special diets.

Reality: There is no conclusive data supporting this hypothesis. However, many professionals and parents who place children with autism on special diets (ie. gluten free) claim to have seen significant progress.

I hope this clears up some of the misconceptions about autism. God bless all the parents and caregivers out there who devote their lives to caring for, loving and guiding children with autism, down syndrome, cerebral paulsy, etc. Love and praise from Suffolk Center for Speech.

Written by: Tim Strampfer

Myths and Realities taken from Super Duper Handy Handouts article:

Autism: It May Not Be What You Think