Read on Twitter
1. I want to do a thread for #WorldAutismAwarenessDay 
https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt=""> I used to have so many misconceptions about what being autistic is like and that was AFTER I got a degree in Psychology. So I am going to clear some things up, focusing on stuff that is less known:
2. Myth: Autistics don& #39;t have empathy
Truth: This doesn& #39;t apply to all autistics. Many actually have an excess of empathy but may struggle to convey it in a way neurotypicals understand.
Truth: This doesn& #39;t apply to all autistics. Many actually have an excess of empathy but may struggle to convey it in a way neurotypicals understand.
3.Myth: Autistics lack imagination
Truth: Many autistics are artists, fiction writers, role players, etc. Being autistic doesn& #39;t mean you can& #39;t enjoy playing pretend. But it can be difficult to picture the steps needed to reach a certain goal
Truth: Many autistics are artists, fiction writers, role players, etc. Being autistic doesn& #39;t mean you can& #39;t enjoy playing pretend. But it can be difficult to picture the steps needed to reach a certain goal
4. Myth: Autistics aren& #39;t interested in other people
Truth: Many autistics, especially women, spend years avidly learning about how people think & function. Some of us even major in Psychology (lol). This can be a way to make up for feeling baffled in social situations so often
Truth: Many autistics, especially women, spend years avidly learning about how people think & function. Some of us even major in Psychology (lol). This can be a way to make up for feeling baffled in social situations so often
5. Myth: All autistics are interested in systemising & categorising things as a hobby
Truth: Autistic special interests are diverse. The main difference is their intensity. The overrepresentation of boys in research has led to a skewed view of what interests autistic kids have
Truth: Autistic special interests are diverse. The main difference is their intensity. The overrepresentation of boys in research has led to a skewed view of what interests autistic kids have
6. Myth: No autistic person can do eye contact
Truth: Some autistics have trained themselves to do it. Others might give too much uninterrupted eye contact
Truth: Some autistics have trained themselves to do it. Others might give too much uninterrupted eye contact
7. Myth: Autistics all have savant skills or excellent memories
Truth: You can& #39;t assume anything about an autistic person& #39;s skills. It is an individual case by case basis. We tend to have spiky profiles, which means we can be really good at some stuff and really bad at other
Truth: You can& #39;t assume anything about an autistic person& #39;s skills. It is an individual case by case basis. We tend to have spiky profiles, which means we can be really good at some stuff and really bad at other
8. Myth: Autism experts are the best people to learn about autism from
Truth: These experts only look at external behavior and make (often incorrect) assumptions about the reasons behind them #ActuallyAutistic adults are the best to tell you what being autistic is actually like
Truth: These experts only look at external behavior and make (often incorrect) assumptions about the reasons behind them #ActuallyAutistic adults are the best to tell you what being autistic is actually like
9. Myth: Stimming (self stimulating movement) is always a sign of distress and must be stopped
Truth: Some Stimming is from joy and excitement. If you see an autistic person flapping their hands, don& #39;t assume they are having a crisis.
Truth: Some Stimming is from joy and excitement. If you see an autistic person flapping their hands, don& #39;t assume they are having a crisis.
10. And don& #39;t teach autistic kids this is a bad behavior. Repressing our natural urge to stim can lead to self harmful behavior
11. Myth: You can always tell when someone is autistic
Truth: Because of masking (pretending to be neurotypical), you might have no idea a friend of yours is autistic
Truth: Because of masking (pretending to be neurotypical), you might have no idea a friend of yours is autistic
12. Lastly, I hope neurotypicals make an effort to learn more about what being autistic is like because it is not bad to be different. Don& #39;t ask us to be someone we are not and we& #39;ll do the same for you
#AutismAcceptancehttps://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt="">
#AutismAcceptance
13. I want to thank some people who helped me understand all of the above better: @mykola @commaficionado @autistictic @steve_asbell @atypicalcaitlin @lilririah @AspieHuman @NeuroRebel @Samantha_Stein @DrAlanRobinson @autistichoya @A_Silent_Child Thank you https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">
