1 – Autism in a child is determined by parents’ lack of affection

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with a biological basis and a proven genetic component. The autism gene has not yet been identified because the origin of the disease is linked to the alteration of several genes and their interactions with environmental factors (multifactorial disease).

2 – Autism is caused by the accumulation of heavy metals, like mercury

Numerous studies have been carried out by independent international agencies but no proof has been found to support this hypothesis, which, unfortunately, is still popular in Italy today. Similarly, the non-effectiveness of diets, animal therapy, massages, music and so on and so forth, has been proven.

3 – Psychoanalytical intervention can cure an autistic child

This assumption, linked to the hypothesis of a non-biological cause of autism, has been shown to be completely wrong by various studies, some of which have been carried out by important organisations.  Unfortunately this is a deep-rooted myth which still survives in many countries, including Italy.

4 – Children with severe autism need medical help only

There is no medicine to cure autism to date. The wide range of disorders associated with the disease requires intervention which actively involves the family, school and local area.  In adulthood, work experience and experiences of personal and social independence need to be facilitated. Some medicines can, however, be useful in countering hyperactivity, aggression or obsession, which are all symptoms often associated with autism.

5 – Autism disappears as a child grows up

Early intervention increases the likelihood of successful therapy and allows autistic children to reach their full potential regarding independence and knowledge, making adult life easier. If therapy is lacking or is started late, the chances of independent life are reduced drastically.

6 – No therapy is actually useful: basically there is nothing that can be done

In reality, thorough scientific studies have demonstrated that intensive behavioural intervention improves the relational and communicative abilities and the independence of autistic children, favouring a better quality of life.

7 – Autism is a very rare disorder

Recent data have shown that autism strikes 1 child out of every 150 born and there are over 350,000 people with autism in Italy. Nevertheless, the apparent physical normality of many autistic people makes it difficult to recognise and can lead people to think that they are simply «weird» or socially inept.

8 – An autistic child is actually a genius

Autistic children can demonstrate some surprising skills together with marked deficits: autistic children may be able to remember the birthdays of all their schoolmates yet be unable to use the personal pronouns «I» and «you» correctly. Autistic children may be able to read perfectly, without having understood a single word of what they have read. Children with autism demonstrate a huge variability in terms of IQ. However, many of them have significant cognitive deficits and only a small percentage has an above-average IQ.

9 – If the child talks, they can’t be autistic.

Language is one of the areas which is often compromised in autistic children but it is sometimes possible to meet a form of developed language, which nevertheless may be limited in the number of words used, in accuracy and in expressive abilities.

10 – Love is enough to help an autistic child

In reality, in addition to love, specific technical competence in rehabilitative treatment programmes is needed. Like with everyone, different personalities, capabilities, difficulties and life contexts make specific training and sufficient practical experience a necessary condition for being able to operate with and properly understand the autistic.

Taken from Our child is autistic by Stefano Vicari