Autism Myths

The faces of autism are smiling among us.

• Myth! Autism is an emotional disability.
• Myth! Children with Autism never make eye contact.
• Myth! Children with Autism cannot show affection.
• Myth! All children with Autism are exactly alike.
• Myth! You can tell right away if someone has Autism.
• Myth! Children with Autism do not talk.
• Myth! Children with Autism do not smile.
• Myth! Children with Autism do not want friends.
• Myth! All children with Autism can perform amazing mental feats, such as memorizing the telephone book multiplying large numbers in their heads.
• Myth! Children with Autism are completely cut off from human relationships.

Autism Checklist

Individuals with autism usually exhibit at least half of the traits listed below.

These symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary in intensity.

• Difficulty interacting with other children
• insistence on sameness; resists changes in routine
• Does not point
• No real fear of dangers
• Little or no eye contact
• Sustained odd play
• Apparent insensitivity to pain
• Echolalia (repeating words or phrases in place of normal language)
• Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
• uneven gross/fine motor skills
• may resist cuddling
• Spins objects
• Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf
• inappropriate attachment to objects
• Difficulty in expressing needs
• Noticeable physical over activity or extreme under activity
• tantrums; may display extreme distress for no apparent reason
• unresponsive to normal teaching methods

Please note this symptom list is not a substitute for a full-scale diagnostic assessment. Consult your healthcare provider to obtain a complete diagnostic evaluation.

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