Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.

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Developmental & Learning Disorders
/ Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Common Assumptions about Autism

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hello my dear sweet friends! Tonight I am writing a paper on "Common Assumptions about Autism" This paper is about the daily common assumptions made and thought of by others , whom are not on the spectrum, and basically , well......clueless! I would like for each of you to post a common assumption, some topic, experience, etc. that you and /or your loved one has experienced. This means allot to me, as I value your families and intend on making an informative statement to clarify the "Common Assumptions" That people tend to make, prove how valid and /or invalid their assumptions are and how individuals' and families' are affected by their assumptions. This brings me to yet another Oral Presentation this week, as I have been asked to give a presentation in the "Student Success Center" at my local college. I will not put any names, or graphic details, just in general assumptions that we as parents' and caregivers face on a daily basis. I intend to educate young students about the realities of our world and most importantly , our childrens'.
I hope that each of you will join me in providing our youth in the needed information about autism and in hopes' to enlighten them to get involved in our community and to take a stand and make a difference in our families' lives.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Example, One common assumption about autism: 1.) Autism occurs more in boys than in girls; true autism is 4to 3.1 ratio higher in boys than girls. 2.) Autism is only due to genetics : false; although genetics have linked Autism with some genetic malformations, it is also caused by other reasons unknown.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If I understand you correctly, you want to know what stupid thing I've heard that people think about Autism. This one is Stupid. My best friend just had a baby by someone she's been dating for many years now. Well I explained to her while she was pregnant that,because he has a son w/Autism already(wich by the way he's not very involved w/him)I told her that, because she was my best friend that while her child ws getting big she should have him evaluated to make sure he doesn't have Autism. This was her response " Edgar (wich is the boy friend) Said that "Only if your family is Ghetto your child will get Autism". I asked "what"? She then said "yeah he said that his ex-wifes side of the family is real ghetto. Is this my best friend? Is she that freakin stupid to have just said this to me? I did a quick reality check ok! Thats a whole other story. Now I got her aware that Autism doesn't single out any family...Thats my story..
deleted_user
deleted_user
By the way I just met his child whom hasAutism last week. OMG he's such a beautiful boy. I wanted to take him home w/me...
deleted_user
deleted_user
the classic " I would have never guessed he has autism by looking at him" Autism does not have a face! Feel free to get any copies of adam off my profile of pics and show them in your essay/speech that children with autism look just like children without autism. maybe the other parents here will give you persmission to do the same so you can show the many, many faces of autism. i wonder if you could gather some pictures of children without autism and mix them in and ask the rest of the class to pick the children with autism.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes!!!!!!This is exactly what I am looking for!!!!! I have to be kinda formal in asking: so not me, but I am also practicing for my presentation , which will be done full of passion and compassion! Exactly what you ladies have said, this is what I need, examples of real life interactions with people. I could have gotten info. about it from the internet, like I know, I 've had 14 years dealing with assumptions, lol, but it's us.......all of us.....in this together and frankly , I'd want to hear it from people who live the life and how they are affected by outsiders' common assumptions, I intend on really educating these kiddos'/ students, lol! I mean they need to know and I was asked.....So here I am and all of you will be given credit, it is not "My Paper" It's ours!!!!!! All of you!! I am not looking for my college to give me credit on researching, I am looking for my college to understand our lives and inform and inspire them. Thank you p!!!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
P, Great idea with the pictures! That is a big lesson in itself for them!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
OK, the thing I have heard when I say Paul most likely has autism is..... "Wow, I would have never guessed it, he looks/acts nothing at all like RainMan!!" I have tried to educate people that it is a spectrum. I have also heard he can't be autistic because he talks. Hope that helps ya!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Prisclla said it right - I've had that said to me about Nick - "Well he does not look Autistic". You can not tell looking! I also give you permission to use a pic of Nick - I like the idea of having pic's of a lot of kids and asking people if they can "spot" the child with Autism. I'll guarantee you they won't be able to! Well except maybe the fact that they are all very beautiful children! :-)

One assumption that really bothers me is that people think if you are teaching sign language or using PECS that will interfere wtih them ever learning to talk when in reality it is oftent he exact opposite - by teaching them to communicate you can open the door to talking/speech! I'm trying to teach Nick sign language so that he can learn to communicate. I pray all the time that he'll learn to talk but that is not near as important to me as him learning to communicate.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been thinking back to these last few weeks and have remebered the stories that jut really tore me up like health care proffessionals, the common assumptions the've made and how when Alex was small they said that OT/PT/SP ETC., was never going to help my son and that I might as well accept the fact that he needs to be in a state school and that I was too young too handle as child as such!!!!!! gr........ I know! but these are just some of the many things' even the most educated are assuming about autism??????? So we all will prove, them wrong!
Community Leadersambod
sambod
okay years, my all time personal favorite from my family is "autism is something sam will outgrow when he gets older" Are you kidding me????
do they think that when sam turns 18 there will be a light bulb flash over his head and it just all goes away????? It doesn't matter that I've given them an encyclopedia of information on autism, they actually believe he will be cured when he gets older.
maybe he will, maybe he won't;maybe someone will have figured something out by then but I can't base my day to day living on a wish and I have to be prepared for his future.

my other favorite thing from a previous friend of mine who had just had her first child and wanted to attempt to give some advice was "maybe if you discipline him more, he wouldn't have these behaviors" people can be so clueless and what gets
me is when they say it right in front of the child like they can't hear.

Good luck with your paper
julie
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow! Sambod, grow out of it! wew, I tell ya, sigh...... oh some people! oh and the dicipline, BIG TIME! I think at one point or another each of us have come across this one! I will definately be using these!!!!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also get the "he'll grow out of it." Family like to think my son is not on the spectrum because he will look directly into a camera and smile. Just another opportunity to explain why autism is called a SPECTRUM disorder. Good luck on your paper - Tina
deleted_user
deleted_user
funny, wew! yeah, momto2kids, I will say its a tuff one! I will say they should be happy! I mean many do not and out-out refuse to look at a camera! Some have to be prompted, bribed, and on........ But you are so..... right it is a spectrum so it so.... varies! just hope they are willing to learn more, as the years go by and all that is, and that they keep an open mind and also that every child is guniunely different, by the way were all their kids alike?????
deleted_user
deleted_user
ps. my mom had a total of 7 and were all like night and day!!!!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Heres a few of mine Ive had in 11 years,
"what are you going to do with him when he gets older"
what the hell do people think Im gonna do??? Trade him in?

"Oh is he like Rainman? how cool"
OMG.... have they ever seen the real man who inspired that movie???

"what is his big talent they say all people with autism have a great talent for something"
augh???

and the people who are fraid thier kids are going to catch it they avoid us like the plague in stores etc.
Thats enough for now so i dont get sad!

Great story for your paper, i know you will do a great job!
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