This year, volunteering at Autistic schools for children has been so satisfying, insightful. Made a few great little friends. We love to play music, paint, sing, share stories, dance!
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to connect with the world, relate to others. A child with autism has differing degrees, intellectual abilities.
Autism is a life-long developmental disorder. No known “cure” for autism. Children with autism don’t ‘outgrow’ autism but symptoms lessen with intervention. Require explicit instructions, love, practice of missing social interaction, communication, self-regulation, organisational skills to be independent.
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Individuals with autism spectrum disorder avoid social contact. | Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often keen to make friends but may find this difficult. |
| Individuals with autism spectrum disorder cannot lead independent and successful lives. | Given appropriate education, many students with autism will grow up to be successful contributors to society. |
| Autism is the result of bad parenting. | Not caused by bad parenting but from a difference in the way the brain develops. |
| All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have special talent. | 15% with autism spectrum disorder may have special abilities in music, art, mathematical calculations, memory and manual dexterity. Majority have areas of high performance that relate to their special interests or obsessions. |
| Autism can be cured. | There is currently no documented cure for autism. |
| People with autism do not make eye contact. | When they feel relaxed, confident with communication partner, eye contact is spontaneous. |
| People with autism cannot talk. | Communication is more than talking. Some require assistance to communicate their basic needs, wants with words, gestures, augmentative communication. |
| Autism can be outgrown. | Children do not ‘outgrow’ autism but symptoms may lessen with appropriate interventions and support. |
| People with autism do not have feelings, unable to show affection. | People with autism can, do give affection. Display of affection may appear different. Understand and accept it. |