To start off with, the myths, these are a range of ridiculous things that I'm surprised that people actually believe. First, I discovered this one a few months ago: "Autistic people who have support througout school automatically adapt to adult life". This is false and just stupid - autism has no cure and yes, you can learn to live with it but you're never going to be able to automatically adapt. Believe me, changes are hard. The next typical myth is "All people with autism can't start and sustain friendships or relationships." I think I actually felt sick when I read this one because it's like people think that we are aliens and from a completely different planet. I have a great, supportive boyfriend and the most wonderful group of friends and I know other autistic people who are the same.
The next myth is "People with autism don't feel emotions", I feel like these are getting more and more unbelievable as time goes on but sadly people do believe them. I, for definite know that we have emotions just like anyone else does and we are not just heartless humans.
The final myth I am going to talk about is "Everyone with autism requires constant help and support". The autistic spectrum varies, while many people are facing similar challenges on the spectrum, it can affect them differently and so they may need different types of support. For example, someone might not want constant support as they prefer to be alone so they'd only see someone once every 2 weeks or so however someone somewhere else on the autistic spectrum may realise that their best way to cope is by having a lot of help and support. No two people on the autistic spectrum are the same, we are people just like everyone else but our minds just function a little differently.
Now, autism isn't all bad. I've learnt this from experience, there are many strengths that people with autism could have, some of them are listed below:
- They will develop an interest in a certain thing and talk about it a lot(I think mine is probably tv shows, my favourite is American Horror Story!)
- We are often extremely good at remembering information(even the littlest things, believe me, I could remember what you had for dinner like a month ago)
- Studies show that we are usually very good at something such as art, maths or music. Personally, I enjoy art but I'm not too great at maths and I definitely can't play music. However, I think my favourite subject is English which I have been told that I'm quite good at and I enjoy it a lot.
- One of the most important things I think which are positive about autism which I have definitely realised is the ability to concentrate on one thing. Once you get your mind set on it, you will not step until it's complete and you're happy with it.
Now onto just a few of the difficult things that autistic people like myself have to deal with on a daily basis:
I think basically what I'm trying to say here is that you shouldn't be scared of people knowing that you are autistic, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's not the easiest thing in the world to deal with but everyone is strong enough to live with it. - Communication is probably the main one I think. Many people on the autistic spectrum struggle to talk or just do not speak at all. People can tell how others are feeling by their faces however we find it very difficult to tell what somebody is feeling.
- Socialising and interaction: Many people think of us as being rude because sometimes we do not use manners or say things that others say, this is when we are thought of as being rude but really we just don't see that it will affect people. Being with other people who are playing games and such is also extremely frustrating because it gets confusing very quickly.
- Many autistic people, including myself, struggle extremely with either being over or under sensitive to light, heat, touch, smell, taste and hearing. It can often become incredibly upsetting and often scary.
- Imagination is also really difficult. For example, I remember when I was younger I really struggled with playing games with other children as they simply did not think the way that I did and it upset me because I could never join in properly.
- Sleep problems are also really common in people with autism. I know that I've had many sleepless nights because of how impossible it has been.
- The final point I am going to make of difficulties because I really could go on all day is being unable to make normal facial expressions and use the correct body language and them not often matching to what we want/need. This gets incredibly frustrating and upsetting.
To the people who know someone who has autism, just listen to them and show them that you're there - it'll mean a lot.
Finally, the autism hotline number: 0808 800 4104 and if you wish for me to discuss anything else, please feel free to email me: laurynmathews2@gmail.co.uk
If you've taken the time to read this, thank you a lot, it's really appreciated :)
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