Here are a dozen myths and facts about autism.
1) Myth: Autism is a product of the late 20th and 21st-century environments and was unknown before then.
Truth: Scientists have been using the word “autism” for about 100 years to describe people who had limited social interaction skills. The first person to use the actual term was a Swiss psychiatrist in 1911, and the term came into general use in the 1940s.
2) Myth: Autistic people prefer isolation to dealing with people.
Truth: Autistic people want to interact but lack the skills to show empathy and perform normally in social situations.
3) Myth: Someone with autism will never be able to function normally in a social situation.
Truth: Behaviors can be learned through individualized instruction.
4) Myth: Autistic people will never be able to develop careers or compete in the workplace.
Truth: Many people on the autism spectrum are quite capable of working and being able to live productive lives, particularly if they were diagnosed at an early age and given specialized care.