As adults who suspect we are on the spectrum, self-identify as Autistic, or have received a late diagnosis of Autism, our first goal should be to accept our new identity. That may be easier said than done. Accepting our new identity can be challenged by the stereotypes that we believe to be true.
To move towards Autism acceptance, we must start by debunking these nine common stereotypes of Autism.
All Autistics are Male
This stereotype likely exists as currently three out of every four people diagnosed as Autistics are male. This significant difference between men and women may be attributed to several factors including the diagnostic criteria is written more for boys/men than for girls/women as Autism presents differently by a person’s gender.
Another contributing factor may be that women may be better at masking their Autism because they are able to learn the skills to interact with non-Autistic people better than boys/men.
The fact is that people of any gender can be Autistic.
Autistic Adults are Aggressive.
Autistic adults, just like Allistics, are prone to outbursts. As with our neurotypical peers, our outbursts are often the result of a trigger or a triggering event. Most people, when triggered, will become aggressive regardless of their neurotype. Unfortunately, when we hear that Autistic adults are aggressive, society has taught us to think of physical aggression and causes a belief that all Autistics are physically aggressive.
According to research, studies estimate that around 15-20% of Autistic adults may exhibit physically aggressive behavior, with some studies reporting a range of 5-18% depending on the population studied and how they defined aggression.
Autistic Adults Become Obsessed Over Certain Things
The stereotype that Autistic adults become obsessed over certain things often causes us to think that all Autistics are also diagnosed with OCD – obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The facts indicate that not all Autistics demonstrate OCD tendencies.
While there isn’t a single definitive percentage, research suggests that a significant portion of autistic adults experience intense fixations or “obsessions” on specific topics or activities, with estimates ranging from 17% to 37% of autistics also being diagnosed with (OCD).
All Autistic Adults are High-Functioning or Low-Functioning.
Many to most people in the Autism community find both terms, high-functioning and low-functioning to be ableist labels which are offensive.
If we must use those labels, we must understand that Autistics are not just high-functioning or low-functioning, Autistic adults can also fall anywhere in between. This fact is one reason why Autism is a spectrum – meaning people’s levels of functioning can range anywhere from one extreme to the other.
Autistic Adults are Unintelligent.
In the early days of Autism, most who were diagnosed often presented as lacking intelligence therefore many assumed that all Autistics were unintelligent.
The facts show that Autistic adults have a wide range of intelligence.
Autism is diagnosed in highly intelligent and talented people including Dan Akroyd and Jerry Seinfeld.
Autistic Adults are Unable to Communicate.
Many people may believe that all Autistic people are minimally verbal or non-verbal – meaning they speak very few words or cannot communicate through speech at all
The facts, according to current research, indicate that approximately 25-30% of Autistic adults are considered minimally verbal or nonverbal; this translates to more than two-thirds of the Autistic population do not have significant difficulties with verbal communication.
Autistic Adults Look Different from Allistics
This stereotype may originate from the belief that certain facial features, like wider set eyes, broader faces, and a flatter mid-face, may be more prevalent in Autistic individuals compared to the general population potentially due to differences in brain development during embryonic stages that affect facial structure.
The facts indicate that Autism is a neurological disorder which affects how the brain functions in a Autistic person, not in their physical appearance.
Autistic Adults Do Not Have Emotions.
This stereotype likely stems from a combination of factors including misinterpreting social cues due to difficulty with nonverbal communication, the presence of alexithymia (difficulty identifying one’s own emotions) in some Autistic individuals, and outdated research that portrayed Autism as a complete lack of empathy.
This is a harmful misconception as Autistic people experience a full range of emotions, even if they express them differently than neurotypical people.
Autistic Adults Can Not Have Relationships
This stereotype likely originates from several misconceptions and misunderstandings about Autism and social interactions INCLUDING A misunderstanding of the social communication challenges Autists adults face,
The reality is that Autistic people do form all kinds of relationships ranging from friendships to romantic partnerships and even family connections.
Often these relationships may look different compared to Allistics, due to unique communication styles or preferences, but they are no less meaningful or valid.
