Camp MakeBelieve Kids

A Social and Emotional Learning Program that Builds Emotional Competence in Children. The place where youth learn to believe in themselves.

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Myths vs. Facts about ASD and Autistic Children

Myth : All autistic children are exactly the same.

FACT: Autistic children can be on every end of the spectrum: low, moderate and high.

Myth: Children with autism aren’t attached to their parents or can’t show affection.

FACT: Research suggests that children with ASD are attached to their parents, even if the way they express it is difficult to "read." Many autistic children actually crave affection. 

Myth: Children with autism never make eye contact.

FACT: Many do establish eye contact. It may be less than or different from the typical child, but many do look, smile, and express many other wonderful non-verbal forms of communication.  Further, the question should not be whether the child makes eye contact or does not make eye contact.  Rather, the questions should be: “What is the quality of the eye contact?” and “Is the eye contact being used for socialization, or is the child just staring?”

Myth:  Children with autism do not talk.

FACT: Many develop good functional language. Others can develop other communication skills, such as sign language, pictures, computers, or expression via electronic devices.

An autistic adult… I have quite clear memories of how I was as a non-verbal child.  Sometimes it was frightening or confusing, but overall my experiences just "were" -- unjudged and unanalyzed.

Myth : Autistic children are low functioning relative to the average population.

FACT: While many children with autism are mentally retarded, others have average or above average intelligence.  IQ scores may be compromised due to the child’s communication problems. 

An Autistic adult…When I was young, my parents were told that I was retarded. Later, all my problems were written off as part of being gifted. IQ testing is not a useful measure for autistic people. My own IQ has varied over 100 points. Autistic people tend to have more than the normal difference between skills and deficits. Ability or inability in one area should not be considered indicative of overall ability.

Myth : Autistic people have no emotion.

FACT: They experience all emotions, but with different intensities and modes of expression. 

Myth: Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders do not care about others.

FACT: They often care deeply but lack the ability to spontaneously develop empathetic and socially connected behavior.

Myth: Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders prefer to self-isolate.

FACT: They often wish to socially interact but lack effective social interaction skills.

Myth: If a child has an autism disorder, he or she will not have any other disorder.

FACT:  Autism Spectrum Disorders can and often do co-occur with other disorders. Diagnoses of all possible existing conditions are critical. 

Myth: Autism spectrum disorders get worse as children get older.

FACT: Autism spectrum disorders are not degenerative. Children are most likely to improve with specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion. 

Myth: All people with an autism spectrum disorder have “savant skills” like Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Rain Man.”

FACT: Most with autism spectrum disorders do not have savant skills. Some have “splinter skills,” which are areas of high performance that are not consistent with other skill levels.

Myth: Children and adults with an ASD cannot learn social skills.

FACT: They can learn social skills if they receive individualized, specialized instruction and training. Early intervention is most effective.

An autistic adult …People tend to see us as abrupt people -- rude or downright offensive at times -- it is quite frightening. Today, there is improved understanding among people who are educated... 

Myth: The best place to educate a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is in a separate program designed for children with the disorder. 

FACT:  Educational and other services must be specifically designed for each person. 

Myth: Autism spectrum disorders are something to be hidden in the classroom.

FACT:  Even pre-schoolers are able to identify differences in peers. When they are not given appropriate information, they will draw the wrong conclusions. It’s critical to teach peers how to understand and interact successfully with children with ASD.

Myth: People with ASD cannot have successful lives as contributing members of society.

FACT: Many live and work successfully and contribute to the well being of others in their communities. 

An autistic adult…  Some aspects of autism may be good or bad depending only on how they are perceived. For example, hyper-focusing is a problem if you're hyper-focusing on your feet and miss the traffic light change. On the other hand, hyper-focusing is a great skill for working on intensive projects. This trait is particularly well suited to freelancers and computer work ... In some cases, obsessive interests can lead to successful careers. My partner is now a computer programmer after a life long obsession with computers.

Myth: It is better to “wait and see” if a child does better rather than refer the child for a diagnostic assessment.

FACT: The earlier ASD is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. 

 Testimony

"The study really shines a light on something many parents look for, but seems to elude them. Validation that the program works --RESULTS. Isn't that the biggest question you get, "What will the program give my son or daughter...what can I expect...how long will it take to see results?" I'm very proud Jake is attending the Camp MakeBelieve Kids program. The changes he's made are priceless!"

Lauren Alvaraz