Life on the Autism Spectrum

This book presents a unique exploration of common myths about autism by examining these myths through the perspectives of autistic individuals. Examining the history of attitudes and beliefs about autism and autistic people, this book highlights the ways that these beliefs are continuing to impact autistic individuals and their families, and offers insights as to how viewing these myths from an autistic perspective can facilitate the transformation of these myths into a more positive direction. From 'savant syndrome' to the conception that people with autism lack empathy, each chapter examines a different social myth - tracing its origins, highlighting the implications it has had for autistic individuals and their families, debunking misconceptions and reconstructing the myth with recommendations for current and future practice. By offering an alternative view of autistic individuals as competent and capable of constructing their own futures, this book offers researchers, practitioners, individuals and families a deeper, more accurate, more comprehensive understanding of prevalent views about the abilities of autistic individuals as well as practical ways to re-shape these into more proactive and supportive practices.

Translating autism myths into positive futures.- Exploring the identity of individuals on the autism spectrum: reconstructing the autism epidemic myth.- Challenging the public's perception of life on autism spectrum: the impact of the vaccination myth.- Establishing contexts for support: undoing the legacy of the 'refrigerator mother' myth.- Creating inclusive societies for individuals on the autism spectrum: negating the impact of the 'autism can be cured myth.- Understanding the "true" potential of people on the spectrum: debunking the savant syndrome myth.- Creating contexts for communication in a verbal world: confronting the myth autistics don't talk.- Constructing contexts for success in a social society: undoing the impact of the behavior/mental disorder myth.- Establishing social inclusion the autism way: denying the 'they don't want friends' myth.- Social-emotional connectivity on the autism spectrum: transforming the 'lack of empathy' myth.- Intimacy and romance across the autism spectrum: unpacking the 'not interested in sex' myth.- Supporting self-advocacy and self-determination on the autism spectrum: refuting the 'autism can be outgrown' myth.