Autism: Exploding the Autism: Exploding the Myths and Introducing Myths and Introducing a Positive Perspectivea Positive Perspective

Luke BeardonLuke Beardon

The Autism CentreThe Autism Centre

Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University

The Escape ClauseThe Escape Clause

My opinion onlyMy opinion only Meant to challenge, not upsetMeant to challenge, not upset Intention is to encourage deeper Intention is to encourage deeper

thinkingthinking I am not dismissing the myriad of I am not dismissing the myriad of

very real problems associated with very real problems associated with autismautism

Generalisations are unfair and invalidGeneralisations are unfair and invalid

Myth 1: Autism is a Myth 1: Autism is a SpectrumSpectrum

Autism is not a spectrumAutism is not a spectrum– AS is not a mild form of autismAS is not a mild form of autism– it is not possible to 'grade' autismit is not possible to 'grade' autism– people make assumptions based on people make assumptions based on

behaviour and presentation - mostly, behaviour and presentation - mostly, those assumptions are wrongthose assumptions are wrong

– autism can not be changedautism can not be changed

Myth 2: Everyone is a Myth 2: Everyone is a bit Autisticbit Autistic Autistic traits/tendencies/etc. are Autistic traits/tendencies/etc. are

useless concepts and only useless concepts and only demonstrate the inadequacies of demonstrate the inadequacies of current thinking as well as current thinking as well as demeaning the entire autistic demeaning the entire autistic populationpopulation

Myth 3: Autism consists Myth 3: Autism consists of a 'Triad of of a 'Triad of Impairments'Impairments' We are led to believe that individuals We are led to believe that individuals

with autism are 'impaired' in certain with autism are 'impaired' in certain areasareas

Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement?rules' judgement?

Is the skill set of the PNT really so Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful?wonderful?

Could an autistic manner of behaving Could an autistic manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding?be far more sensible and rewarding?

Myth 4: People with Autism are Myth 4: People with Autism are unsociableunsociable

People with autism are not unsociablePeople with autism are not unsociable The PNT make very little logical senseThe PNT make very little logical sense Unwritten rules are unwritten!Unwritten rules are unwritten! Social niceties could be seen as banal, Social niceties could be seen as banal,

utterly incomprehensible and a waste utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point!and get to the point!

Many people with autism can socialise Many people with autism can socialise with one another perfectly well - with one another perfectly well - much of the PNT cannot!much of the PNT cannot!

Myth 5: People with Autism are Myth 5: People with Autism are Impaired in Verbal CommunicationImpaired in Verbal Communication

Literal interpretation is simply Literal interpretation is simply accuracyaccuracy

Being pedantic is being linguistically Being pedantic is being linguistically honesthonest

Tautological discourse - a waste of Tautological discourse - a waste of breath?breath?

If we actually said what we mean (and If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would meant what we said) then life would improve considerablyimprove considerably

Myth 6: Non Verbal Myth 6: Non Verbal Communication is Useful and Communication is Useful and EffectiveEffective Actually...it leads to misinformation, Actually...it leads to misinformation,

confusion, and lack of clarity – for all confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of usof us

Would you prefer everything to be Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress?stress?

The dreaded first date...snog or no The dreaded first date...snog or no snog?snog?

Myth 7: People with Autism lack a Myth 7: People with Autism lack a Theory of MindTheory of Mind

People with autism do not lack a People with autism do not lack a Theory of MindTheory of Mind

Or, the PNT lack a Theory of MindOr, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind It is cross neurological boundaries It is cross neurological boundaries

where the problems arise – not where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with because of any deficit in people with autismautism

Is lying really such a great thing?Is lying really such a great thing? Do you like being able to trust?Do you like being able to trust?

Myth 8: Dysexecutive Functioning leads Myth 8: Dysexecutive Functioning leads to Disorganisationto Disorganisation

Allows for detailed planningAllows for detailed planning Order over chaosOrder over chaos Knowing what happens when, for Knowing what happens when, for

how long and in what order is how long and in what order is logical and sensiblelogical and sensible

Reduction in wasted timeReduction in wasted time Unpredictability is scaryUnpredictability is scary

Myth 9: Weak Central Coherence Myth 9: Weak Central Coherence is Badis Bad

Meticulous attention to areas of Meticulous attention to areas of interestinterest

Detail Detail isis important important Ability to remain focussed Ability to remain focussed Provision of a wonderful balance Provision of a wonderful balance

with the gestalt led PNTwith the gestalt led PNT

Myth 10: Sensory Processing Myth 10: Sensory Processing is Dysfunctionalis Dysfunctional

(Almost) unbelievable senses(Almost) unbelievable senses Sheer joy in processingSheer joy in processing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thingPerceptual beauty – not a bad thing

Myth 11: People with Autism Myth 11: People with Autism have Obsessionshave Obsessions

Intense passionsIntense passions VocationsVocations Having an 'obsession' can be a Having an 'obsession' can be a

wonderful thingwonderful thing Interests are motivational and can be Interests are motivational and can be

extremely usefulextremely useful

Myth 12: People with Myth 12: People with Autism are Autism are 'Inappropriate''Inappropriate' Judgement decision based on PNT Judgement decision based on PNT

conceptsconcepts It's inappropriate to use the term It's inappropriate to use the term

inappropriate without qualifying itinappropriate without qualifying it Autistic behaviour (invariably?) Autistic behaviour (invariably?)

makes logical sense - based on makes logical sense - based on individual logical parametersindividual logical parameters

Key to Autism: Learning Key to Autism: Learning ProcessesProcesses Indirect learning is non specificIndirect learning is non specific People with autism can make People with autism can make

excellent direct learnersexcellent direct learners The necessity of intellectually The necessity of intellectually

constantly 'working things out' constantly 'working things out' can lead to appearance of can lead to appearance of disabilitydisability

Other AspectsOther Aspects

Sense of fairnessSense of fairness Burning desire for justice and Burning desire for justice and

rightnessrightness Sense of humourSense of humour Ability not to lose childlike funAbility not to lose childlike fun Intensity of feelingsIntensity of feelings LoyaltyLoyalty

Issues to ConsiderIssues to Consider Autism is not inherently problematicAutism is not inherently problematic Yet people with autism face many Yet people with autism face many

problems in societyproblems in society People with autism seem to have People with autism seem to have

huge pressures to change and adapthuge pressures to change and adapt Societal adaptation and changes in Societal adaptation and changes in

the PNT is far more sensiblethe PNT is far more sensible

Contact:Contact:

Luke BeardonLuke Beardon

Senior Lecturer in AutismSenior Lecturer in Autism

The Autism CentreThe Autism Centre

Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University

L.Beardon@shu.ac.ukL.Beardon@shu.ac.uk