14 common misconceptions about autism...

14 common misconceptions about autism that are wrong, harmful, or have been debunked a thousand times.

Autistic people… 

(When these come up the implication is that they apply to all autistic people)

1. Can't make eye contact 

2. Are super awkward / would stand out in any crowd

3. Are rude in conversation 

4. Can't be social or extroverted

5. Don't have any friends / can't make friends

6. Are reclusive and want to be alone all the time

7. Lack self-awareness 

8. Can only think in black and white / lack nuance 

9. Are stubborn, argumentative, and always need to be right

10. Are self-centered, selfish, and narcissistic 

11. Lack (are incapable of) empathy

12. Have either very low IQs (are intellectually impaired) or are savants

13. Can't speak fluently or clearly 

14. Can't live independently 

The reason most of these are misconceptions is that they do not reflect what's going on in the autistic mind. In other words, they don’t tell us what about a person’s autism caused these behaviors. 

And in many cases, these manifestations are a sign of unmet needs, not an actual feature of autism itself.