“All autistic people are geniuses/computer nerds’

Many autistic people respond well to technology. Some of us are certainly highly proficient at IT-related tasks. However autism covers the full range of intellectual capabilities, learning styles and interests. Some people on the autism spectrum are excellent at art and writing, some are good at maths and science, and some are great at sports. We are all different.

To assume all of us are highly intelligent is not helpful. Intellect is not a measure of someone’s value. Intellect is also a subjective measure and often does more harm than good.  Focussing on intellect or academic ability can cause some people to feel inadequate.

“Autistic people don’t have relationships or sex.”

Many autistic people are interested in sex and sexuality in the same way anyone else is. They have relationships, marriages, casual sex and other sorts of sexual interactions. A lot of autistic people identify as being LGBTIQA+. While some autistic people identify as asexual, this is not the reality for everyone. The myth around Disabled people all being asexual can be seen as being part of society infantilising Disabled people which can lead to a load of other issues and is not good for anyone.

“Autistic people shouldn’t have children.”

As with many other disabilities, there is a lot of prejudice around autistic people raising children. On a personal level I will say my mum is autistic, like me, and she has always been the perfect parent for me. Moving past my own experience, there are a good many autistic parents in the world. An autistic parent may be able to understand their autistic child better on a very deep level. Autistic parents have strengths and weaknesses, just like neurotypical parents. Autism certainly doesn’t preclude someone from parenting or from being a good parent. And who gets to say who should reproduce or even that autistic children are a bad thing? I am very happy to be my autistic self and I think I – and may fellow autistics contribute heaps of good things to the world and the world tis better for us being in it. So avoiding having autistics kids is not really a very good idea at all!

“Autistic people can’t work.”

It is true that some autistic people cannot work at all. Autistic people are certainly overrepresented in unemployment and welfare statistics. It is likely that a lot of the difficulties surrounding work for autistic people involves a lack of willingness on the part of employers to take us on rather than a lack of skill or willingness to work. A lot of autistic people do work and can be highly skilled employees. We often bring some great skills to the workplace, like honesty, enthusiasm, attention to detail and a good work ethic. It would be great to see more employed autistic people. This is an area for ongoing attention.

Recently there have been a number of autism employment programs, many of which have been evaluated. The evidence from these studies shows the many benefits to employers of employing autistic staff. I am hoping we are on the cusp of a time when underemployment, unemployment and unsuitable employment will no longer be an issue for us.

“Autistic people are rude.”

Autistic people usually interpret the world differently to non-autistic people. We generally want to be liked and we want to be respectful of others. There is often a different culture of social communication between autistic and non-autistic people.

Misinterpretations between the different communication styles can occur and the autistic person may be viewed as rude or uncaring when this is not their intent. If more people understood the differences in communication between autistic and non-autistic people they would understand our apparent “rudeness” is often just a misunderstanding.

“An autistic child is a lost child — a tragedy.”

This is the most hurtful thing you can say to me as an autistic human being. I had a difficult childhood and early adulthood but my parents never said they regretted having me. They loved me, and I became a much happier and more fulfilled person as I grew older. It is not a tragedy to bring a human being into the world. Consider the messaging an autistic child will receive in their formative years growing up in a household where those attitudes prevail. I understand parents of newly-diagnosed children can struggle considerably, but they need to be supported with appropriate services and assistance, not told their child is “a tragedy.