Truth or MythFollowing are a series of statements about

autism. Decide if you think each statement is true or myth. Click on the question mark to

see if you are correct.

People with autism don’t have the same feelings as people without disabilities.

This is a myth. People with autism have the same feelings as everyone else. They may however, have difficulty identifying and expressing those

feelings.

Autism is a developmental disability.

This is true. Autism Spectrum Disorders encompass physical, cognitive, psychological, sensory, and

speech impairments. It is the second most common developmental disorder.

Autism is contagious.

This is a myth. Even though scientists are still trying to discover the cause of autism, they do know that it is not contagious.

All people with autism have the ability to learn.

This is true. People with autism may learn in different ways and/or at a slower pace than

other people do.

Persons with autism do not know what they want.

This is a myth. People with autism often have cognitive, communication and

social deficits that impact their ability to understand choice options and

express their preferences.

People with autism do not want to be with their peers.

This is a myth. People with autism often like interacting with others and want to have friends.

They may have difficulty knowing how to be a good friend and how to keep a friend, but with support and instruction can learn the necessary skills for

successful interaction.

People who have autism should have the same rights

as others.

This is always true.

A person with autism is born that way.

• This is true. Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will usually begin to show clear, identifiable symptoms by the age of 18 months. Many parents and experts detect symptoms before this time, however a formal diagnosis is typically made when the child exhibits a noticeable delay in developing language skills, most often between the ages of two and three.

Autism can be cured.

• This is a myth. There is no medical protocol for the treatment of autism. While behavioral interventions and educational approaches such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), are widely used to successfully mitigate symptoms, no one treatment has been recognized as a specific cure for autism spectrum disorders.

Autism is more common in boys than in girls.

This is true. Autism is approximately four times more prevalent in boys

than in girls.

People with autism usually don’t live with their families.

This is a myth. Most children with autism live with their families just like typical kids. Adults

with autism may live in a variety of settings that may include supervision for safety and

assistance with activities of daily living.

In order to keep a job, being dependable and getting along with others is more important

than I.Q.

This is true. It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if you do not show up for work and you

can’t get along with your co-workers, you will not keep your job for long.

Truth or Myth

Thank you for increasing your knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Information taken from NAAR-The National Alliance for Autism Research.