| As with anyone with a physical or mental | | | | cannot express this feeling. It also does not mean |
| disorder, autistic people deal with a wide range of | | | | strong relationship bonds are not possible. On the |
| reactions from others, from full support to | | | | contrary, many autistic people are happily married |
| uncaring ignorance. Unfortunately, even those who | | | | and in love. Forming relationships is more difficult |
| support autistic family members, co-workers, and | | | | for most, but can be accomplished over time. |
| friends may not understand autism very well. This | | | | Many people believe that being autistic coincides |
| leads to stereotypes, which can result in hatred, | | | | with being a genius in some aspect. While it is true |
| embarrassment, or other unhappy situations. By | | | | that some autistic individuals have extraordinary |
| becoming educated about autism, you can help | | | | math, music, and art skills, this number is nowhere |
| others in your community cope with this disorder. | | | | near the majority-in fact, relatively few autistic |
| It is most important to note that not all autistic | | | | people function outside of the normal range in any |
| people are the same. Other diseases and | | | | skill. This stereotype is perpetuated in the movies |
| disorders have their own sets of rules, but autism | | | | and on television, because the story of a talented |
| is such a complex medical condition, that | | | | person fighting disadvantages (such as autism) |
| everyone reacts differently to it. Autistic people | | | | makes a good plot. However, this is not the |
| are usually rated on a functional scale, with | | | | norm, so nothing more than the best they can |
| high-functioning people being able to hold jobs and | | | | personally do should be expected from an autistic |
| low-functioning people needing 24-hour-a-day care. | | | | person. However, it is important to note that |
| Symptoms include behavioral challenges, | | | | autism is not a form of mental retardation. Some |
| uncontrollable movements, speech and | | | | autistic people are mentally retarded as well, but |
| communication difficulties, and emotional | | | | most are not and should not be treated as such. |
| inadequacies. Some show all symptoms, while | | | | In the end, the most important lesson to take |
| other show few, and still others may have most | | | | away from your studies on autism is one of |
| under control to the point where you cannot tell | | | | tolerance. You will probably need to be patient |
| they have autism at all. | | | | when dealing with autistic people, but by |
| Because every person is different, no one thing | | | | understanding a little more about the disorder, |
| can be said about autism and be true overall. | | | | perhaps this will be easier. Learn what you can |
| However, most autistic people have trouble | | | | and spread the knowledge to those you know to |
| communicating emotions. This does not mean that | | | | help create a more tolerant setting for autistic |
| an autistic person does not feel. He or she simply | | | | individuals in your community. |