Autism comes with lots of stereotypes and stigma.
Here, an autistic writer breaks down some key autism myths people shouldn’t believe.
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Stereotypes can also cause autistic people to feel like something is wrong with them.
Not to mention, they perpetuate pathologizing beliefs about autism, e.g.
that it is because of vaccines.
assistant professor of clinical psychiatry and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University
Here are a few common autism myths and misconceptions that are worth questioning.
Myth: Autistic people dont care about other people.
Fact: When many people think of autism, they picture someone who lacks empathy.
In reality, thediagnostic criteria for autismsay nothing about empathy.
Many autistic individuals often exhibit hyper-empathy toward animals.
We view this as an experience of empathy, but it is rarely received that way.
Many of us are simply wary of others due to the mistreatment weve received in the past.
Something as simple as a smile not being returned can leave a paper cut on my heart.
But this doesnt mean we dont want any friends, close family relationships, or romantic relationships.
assistant professor of clinical psychiatry and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University
While some autistic people may need lots of time to ourselves, we still appreciate feeling wanted and included.
However, the criterion itself is problematic: Who decides what counts as a deficit?
Usually, it is neurotypical people.
What a neurotypical person might call a deficit, autistic people may simply call a difference.
Similarly, the denigration of autistic peoples social behavior as inept or awkward may be more political than scientific.
Neurotypical individuals also encounter difficulties when communicating with autistic people.
This isnt always the case either, though.
(I was not diagnosed until my thirties).
Part of the reason for this is that mens autistic traits can sometimes be more visible.
Women are alsofrequently misdiagnosed, sometimes with stigmatized conditions like borderline personality disorder.
Along the same lines, autistic people do not universally have stereotypically masculine interests such as math and science.
(Think back, for instance, to internet speculation that themass shooter Elliot Rodger was autistic.)
Autistic people are no more likely to be violent or aggressive than anyone else, says Dr. Sultan.
Indeed, a 2018 study inFrontiers in Psychiatryfound that autistic people wereno more likely than neurotypical peopleto commit crimes.
Every autistic individual is different and will present themself in their own unique way.
And contrary to media stereotypes, there is no one way to act autistic.
Autistic people have a wide range of personalities, interests, and characteristics.
Each person with autism is unique and may experience different challenges and strengths, says Dr. Sultan.
Thats why its called the autism spectrum; it includes a wide range of people and experiences.
I personally take it as a compliment when someone sees that I am autistic!
And who I am is a beautiful thing to celebrate, not a deficit to put down.
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