It can be frustrating when people have misconceptions, are judgmental, or offer unsolicited advice. Here are some of the key things about autism to share with others and to clear up any misunderstandings.
The most significant shared symptom among people with ASD is difficulty with social communication, such as making eye contact, conversation, or understanding another’s perspective.
Intensive early intervention may reduce ASD symptoms, and there are many effective treatments that address the sensory, behavioral, developmental, and medical symptoms of ASD. Depending upon the child, certain treatments will be more successful than others. People with autism can also learn coping skills to help them manage their difficulties and even build on their unique strengths.
The notion that vaccines or “bad parenting” cause autism has been widely debunked by the medical community.
A person with ASD may need help developing empathy because they may not be able to interpret what other people are feeling based on their body language. Downcast eyes or a turned back, for example, don’t necessarily signal “sadness” or “anger” to a person with autism. However, if someone explains that another person is feeling sad or hurt, a person with ASD can respond with true empathy.
Even high-functioning autism can be challenging—for the person diagnosed with it as well as their family. For a family affected by severe autism, daily life can be overwhelming. If you’re feeling stressed, you need all the non-judgmental help you can get from friends, extended family, and service providers.
