6 myths of autism

• April 24, 2024

There are some misconceptions about autism that, according to the United Nations (UN), is a development condition incurable which affects six out of every thousand under 10 years and it alters the capacities of communication, relationship and imagination, whose exact causes are unknown.

Lorna Wing, author of the book "The autism in children and adults", of Editorial Paidós, explains that the parents of the majority of the children realize the problems gradually, and stress that they begin to worry during the second year of life, if the child does not speak well or if the pattern of behavior is different from the rest of the same age.

In a minority, it seems to parents that the developing it evolves normally, until there is a noticeable change of behavior in weeks or months, perhaps with a regression in certain skills , especially in speech. "In both types of onset, the diagnosis of the behavior of an autistic disorder arises, sooner or later, in the preschool years."

In order to clarify some common myths and doubts linked to this condition, Eduardo Díaz, psychologist and president of the Board of Directors of Enlace Autismo, A.C. , answer the following questions:

1. Is autism a disease? "It's not true, it's a condition of life that affects the development of brain ; that is, it is a neurological problem. "

2. Is it common in Mexico? "According to international statistics, there is 1 child with autism for every 150 births. However, the most important thing is that once they have been diagnosed, they receive specialized care. "

3. Are those who live with this condition geniuses and possess mathematical skills? "False Like any other individual, they have strengths and weaknesses and, in general, they tend to have an average intelligence, it is worth mentioning that some have a great capacity with numbers. cognitive habilyties very developed and in very specific areas, but they are not geniuses. Some are able to understand a complex mathematical operation, but do not know how to apply it to real life. In lack of certain skills, they use their memory that under normal conditions could be considered prodigious ".

4. Are they able to express their emotions? "Yes, but they do not manifest it in a traditional way, so those who live with them must learn to recognize their way of communicating, because of their condition, they usually establish strong emotional relationships with people who are close as a father, mother and siblings, but not with strangers, because they do not interest them. "

5. Is it cured?

"Do not. It is a health condition with which one is born, lives and dies.However, an early treatment with behavioral therapy It can be very beneficial, although it is not a cure as such. "

6. Do they become independent? "Yes, they can, but it is wrong to generalize because each individual is different." There are some cases in which, as children, they received attention and stimulation appropriate, so they became independent adults, able to get a job and maintain healthy social relationships. "

Lorna Wing states that for people with autistic type disorder, the world is often disconcerting and even threatening. However, and despite their disabilities If the nature of their problems is known, they can be helped to function better in life. It is everyone's job to build an inclusive society, in which everyone develops their capabilities to the maximum."The principle of being patient is to start with oneself" . For more information write to bojorge@teleton.org.mx

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Video Medicine: Autism Myths | Child Psychology (April 2024).