Autism mythbusters - let's get rid of some of those incorrect stereotypes.

Please share - educate folk today!

#autistic #ActuallyAutistic #autism

1. Autism is not caused by vaccines. It's a genetic thing: you're born autistic.

#autism

2. Autistic people can have friends. In fact we often do. Perhaps a smaller number? Maybe, but not necessarily.

#autism

3. Autism is not itself a learning disability. It can occur alongside learning disabilities though.

#autism

4. Autism is not a disease or a mental illness. It cannot be cured. You cannot 'develop' it or 'catch' it.

#autism

5. The vast majority of autistic people prefer to be called 'autistic people' rather than 'people with autism'. I promise.

#autism

6. Autism has existed forever, and actually it seems several famous people were probably autistic, such as Isaac Newton.

#autism

7. Autistic people can hold down jobs and can be very successful in their careers. This doesn't mean they're not autistic.

#autism

8. Autism does not disappear after childhood - autism is for life. People may get better at masking it, though.

#autism

9. Autistic people aren't all the same. We have very different traits and presentations. However there are some key similarities.

#autism

10. Girls and women can be autistic. It is not a male-only condition and its likely that the split might even be 50-50...

#autism

11. Autistic POC are often overlooked or even plain ignored, with a significant issue around representation even within the autistic community itself.

#autism

12. Non-speaking autistic people can often communicate in writing very well, and have plenty going on even if they don't or can't speak about it.

#autism

13. The autistic and LGBTQ+ communities have a significant overlap. Always check pronouns.

#autism

14. Autistic people can have excellent senses of humour. But they don't have to have.

#autism

15. Autistic people can understand metaphor, a lot of the time. It's not as straightforward as just 'taking everything literally'.

#autism

16. Autistic people often have extreme sensitivity to smells, light, sound, touch, taste. This is often overlooked.

#autism

17. Autistic people don't *have* to like trains. Seriously.

#autism

18. Autistic people aren't all magically good at maths.

#autism

19. Autistic people aren't necessarily weirdly skilled in a particular area, nor are we savants.

#autism

20. Autistic people have emotions and we can feel empathy. In fact we often feel an excess of it.

#autism

Follow me if you want more info about autism. I'm also at https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterWharmby 

If you like my stuff, throw caffeine at me! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/UfTVnRY