True or false? Autism is a learning disability, Not true. A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life. Some autistic people also have a learning disability, but some do not., All autistic people have special abilities, The outdated ‘Rain Man’ stereotype that all autistic people are geniuses is incorrect and unhelpful. Lots of autistic people have intense special interests and may have a lot of knowledge about a favourite subject, but that's not the same as having superpowers., Autism cannot be cured, Autism lasts a lifetime and there is no cure. Sometimes people can be taken in by fake ‘cures’ for autism, these do not work and can actually be very harmful. And why would we want to cure autism? Autistic people have a unique perspective on the world that we should champion. Greater acceptance of autistic people by society would reduce some of the challenges they face., Many autistic people like routine., True. Repetitive behaviours are a major part of life for many autistic children and young people. Having a routine, such as a certain way to get dressed or eat breakfast, can be an essential way of regulating emotion and providing someone with a source of comfort or enjoyment that enables them to carry on with their day., Everyone is a little bit autistic, False. Sometimes people think about autism as just being introverted or a bit socially awkward, but this is very invalidating. The reality is so much bigger than that. Autism is a neurotype that affects how people communicate and experience the world., Mental health conditions are more common in autistic people, True. Ambitious about Autism’s research found that four out of five autistic young people have experienced mental health issues. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, are more common in autistic people and have a huge impact on a person's daily life - hindering their ability to access full education and employment opportunities, for example., Autistic people have different sensory needs, True. Autistic people can be ‘under’ or ‘over’ sensitive in any of the senses – including sight, hearing and balance. This means sounds, lights, touch and smells can be painful or very uncomfortable. To reduce discomfort, some autistic people may wear sunglasses indoors or wear ear defenders – or prefer not to be touched or only eat specific foods, All autistic people are maths geniuses, This is just not true. Every autistic person is different and has different abilities and interests. Not every autistic person is a maths genius. While some may have excellent number skills, others may have strengths that lie in art, music, science or sports., There is an autistic pupil in every school, True. A recent study of seven million young people found that around one in 57 children in the UK are autistic (1.76%). This means it is highly likely that every school in the UK has an autistic pupil. We know that sadly autistic pupils experience many problems in education. It’s vital the education system is equipped to support them with the right funding, resources and trained staff., Autistic people are shy and introverted, False. Autistic people might socialise in a different way to neurotypical people, but this does not mean that it's wrong or a deficit, it's just different. Lots of autistic people want friendships and are very loyal and caring friends.

Myths and Facts about autism. Source: https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/

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