Fear of autism

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Has anyone else noticed that people are absolutely terrified of autism? What's the reason for this? Is it because of the myths surrounding autism? How can we dispel the myths and eliminate the unnecessary fear people have of autism? One more question: is this fear exclusive to America, or is it in other countries, too?

Before my son was diagnosed with Asperger's, the only form of autistism I had heard of was severe non-verbal autistism. Yes, I feared it. Not in the sense that I was afraid of catching it or afraid of people who have it, but in the same context of a woman fearing down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or physical birth defects when considering planning a family.

People fear what they don't understand.

Because when people ask what autism is, they are simply told that it is a form of mental retardation. Then they are told that the rate of autism is "skyrocketing" and so they think that all the young children are doomed to be mindless vegetables.

They stereotype autism into a category such as 'non communication' therefore unable to understand.

Well, that's how I see it. I believe it's everywhere you go. Just gotta learn to live with it. I've not noticed anyone like this in the UK regarding autism

NTs have a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in environmental interaction and by restricted ability for scientific endeavour. We naturally understand the scientific method, NTs do not.

I was talking to a relative tonight that has been an RN for years. She told me I've been searching too long for answers for what I believe mild aspergers. She didn't believe it could be possible I could have autism. Ok

Sometimes I find myself being leary of telling anyone I have some of the characteristics. Others just believe any mental issue means you someone who just needs to get a grip. Funny how they can often explain away the issues that people see in them isn't it?

Some of it is the fact that they see the very worst cases of autism especially when someone has a meltdown and gets the impression: Autism = Nut Factory.

What specific fear do you refer to?

The real one that states that most diagnosed with Autism will live at home/government housing, work menial jobs (if that), and have no friends? There's plenty to fear there, depending on who is viewing such that is.

It's different with Asperger's, obviously (add a few friends and the possibility for an intimate relationship to the mix, and perhaps a better job for a few). There's still much to fear there too, depending on said person.

I have...the former, but I've never feared myself due to my disorder.

I mean the fear most commonly seen in news reports and public service announcements referring to autism. The whole mention of it as a tragic disease, "1 in 150 diagnosed", etc.

It's pretty much universal.

Why WOULDN'T people be terrified of it ?

It's a life-sentence for parent and child alike.

A multiply dysfunctional child whose care demands huge input and added expenditure for limited reward.

Children are also a parent's investment in the family's future - not least, economically.
Every parent wants their child to be successful and have a family of his own.
Autism is extremely prejudicial to those prospects.

As stated, for the prospective parent, it's in the same category as mental retardation because many of the effective ramifications are the same - regardless of the differences.

MemberSix just hit it, really.

Autism is far too detached from "normal", that social creatures will never be anything but afraid of its effects and implications on their children, as they expect things of their children, just like their parents expected of them, and so on.

Of note, Autism doesn't make someone less of a person, just as being normal doesn't make someone less of one; it's just that Autism makes it hard to adapt to "normal" society (almost impossible in most cases).

(I should add, whilst children with Asperger's tend to seem more "normal" compared to those with Autism, the effects of the disorder won't really manifest until later on in life, around the high school years. You'll find that Autism and Asperger's tend to become close in the adult years in outcome and severity, i.e., it can go either way. Just because your child can talk, and interact with you, doesn't mean there's going to be no difficulties. They're about the same.)

am wish people feared autism that bad,it would be another way to clear a cue in the shop instantly.

No, NT toddlers have the scientific method down. Have you ever seen one experiment with a new toy? They just grow out of it.

Anyway, the "Aspie scientist" stereotype might have some basis in fact, but ask around and you'll find not all of us are concrete, "scientific" thinkers.

People are scared of autism even when they see it and know what it is. We rub them the wrong way, send the wrong signals. They don't know how to read us and it scares them. They see "dangerous loner".

QFT

I worked over the summer in a school for kids with autism, but most of the kids on my caseload were severely autistic, nonverbal, and possibly ret*d, so bear in mind I'm speaking of that particular subset of the autistic population. This is also the subset of the population most people probably think of when they think of "autism."

It's hard for parents to come to terms with the fact that their kids will likely never be able to live independently, or possibly even communicate effectively (even with AAC). The kids' behavior can be very unpredictable, and some kids can get very aggressive and violent when they are frustrated- which is a lot of the time, since they are not able to communicate their wants and needs effectively. Again, even using a combination of digital photographs, PECS, and signs, a lot of the kids I worked with had difficulty communicating needs as basic as hunger or thirst (I worked with kids aged 6-13). So it's not just a problem with speech, but a severe problem with communication.

The kids also need a lot of supervision, and demand a lot in terms of time and money. This is not to say that these parents don't love their kids, but raising kids with severe autism is generally much more stressful and difficult than raising a typical child.

Even kids on the milder end of the autistic spectrum may experience problems with learning, appropriate behavior, and aggression. Not to mention the increased risk of social isolation and internalized feelings of depression and anxiety. Kids with autism have a tough road ahead of them, and no parent wants their child to have a condition which will put additional hurdles in their path.

I think *that* is why people are afraid of autism.

Last edited by LostInSpace on 18 Aug 2008, 11:21 am, edited 2 times in total.

Many people do fear what they don't understand. If they can't read us then they could see us as a potential danger and best just to avoid us