Autism can look to be scary and a difficult disorder to live with, lots of myths surrounding this disease; read on a few of them.

1. Myths and facts –Autism
Autism can look to be scary and a difficult disorder to live with, lots of
myths surrounding this disease; read on a few of them.
Characterized by impairment in speech and social interaction, and
repetitive behaviour, this neurological disorder hampers the way the brain
processes information.
A group of such symptoms, known as Autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
can affect people too. In particularthe Autism spectrum disorder
comprises of Autistic disorder, Rett’s disorder, Asperger’s syndrome,
Pervasive developmental disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Symptoms vary patients to patients, and so does it severity.
Since autistic patients behave weirdly around the world, there are many
generalizations and myths surrounding them.
 Whoever has said autistic people don’t like to make friends are so
wrong. Due to their weak social interaction skills, autism creates
difficulty to socialise and hence prove difficult to mingle with people.
 Just because autistic people behave abnormally, they are
intellectually weak? In fact it is proved that autistic children or
adults are blessed with a unique talent and they are extremely good
at it.
Everyone dreams of having a healthy baby.
But just when you think your baby was born
healthy though little shy and your friends
point out that his behaviour is unlike their
baby’s, you begin to ponder if your child is
having the big A.
Life threatening as it might sound, Autism is
quite a common disorder many babies are
being born with. There is nothing that can
be blamed, neither the parents nor her
eating habits. A small genetic defect in the
baby’s structure could result in autism.

2.  Autism is a life-long illness that you will have to bear. This is one
big myth. If the right treatment is followed through, autism can be
dealt with and cured sooner.
 Another unreasonable myth is that autistic patients lack feelings.
Autistic patients are like normal humans. Perhaps their way of
expressing feelings is very different or not understood.
People are not educated about the do’s and don’t’s of autism and hence
run away from any such encounter. Children with autism shouldn’t be left
out. There is a separate technique to educate such kids, in fact schools
that help and teach autistic children do exist. Autism schools in Mumbai
are mushrooming up every corner and are doing a really good job.
AshianaInstitute for Children with Autism,Samarpan- Centre for Autism
Spectrum Disorders, are some of the many institutes that specialise in
treating autism. Here, different techniques, behavioural therapies are
being conducted to train both parents and students. To improve the
language and communication skills, children love pictures. And so do
Autistic children. Education for autistic children must revolve around
pictures and story-telling.
A child, whatever be its condition, is still a creation of God and must be
treated with love and respect.
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