10-31-2007, 01:28 AM
Autism is 'misunderstood'
Quote:
Autism is 'misunderstood'
1 day ago
Widespread misconceptions about autism could be damaging for people living with the disability, a new report has suggested.
The Think Differently - Act Positively report, based on a survey of 2,024 people across the UK, showed that the vast majority of the public is uninformed about the condition, and unaware of how common it is.
The survey, commissioned by the National Autistic Society (NAS), showed that 27% of those who had heard of autism mistakenly believed it mostly affects children, and less than half - only 39% - were aware that there is no cure.
In addition, 39% thought that most people with autism had special abilities, for example in maths or art. In fact, such abilities are extremely rare. Furthermore, the vast majority of people surveyed - 90% - did not know how common autism is. The condition is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people in the UK.
More positively, respondents said they would be far more willing to engage with people with autism if they understood more about the condition.
A total of 84% of parents or grandparents said they would not be concerned about a child with autism joining their child's class and more than two thirds (67%) would be happy to work with someone with autism.
Benet Middleton, Director of Communications at The National Autistic Society, said: "As a lifelong social and communication disability, living with autism can often be an isolating experience.
"By encouraging people to think differently and understand more about autism, the NAS hopes to improve the lives of thousands of people with the condition.
"We are calling on the public, professionals and Government to act positively to ensure people with autism have the same rights and freedoms as the rest of society."
1 day ago
Widespread misconceptions about autism could be damaging for people living with the disability, a new report has suggested.
The Think Differently - Act Positively report, based on a survey of 2,024 people across the UK, showed that the vast majority of the public is uninformed about the condition, and unaware of how common it is.
The survey, commissioned by the National Autistic Society (NAS), showed that 27% of those who had heard of autism mistakenly believed it mostly affects children, and less than half - only 39% - were aware that there is no cure.
In addition, 39% thought that most people with autism had special abilities, for example in maths or art. In fact, such abilities are extremely rare. Furthermore, the vast majority of people surveyed - 90% - did not know how common autism is. The condition is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people in the UK.
More positively, respondents said they would be far more willing to engage with people with autism if they understood more about the condition.
A total of 84% of parents or grandparents said they would not be concerned about a child with autism joining their child's class and more than two thirds (67%) would be happy to work with someone with autism.
Benet Middleton, Director of Communications at The National Autistic Society, said: "As a lifelong social and communication disability, living with autism can often be an isolating experience.
"By encouraging people to think differently and understand more about autism, the NAS hopes to improve the lives of thousands of people with the condition.
"We are calling on the public, professionals and Government to act positively to ensure people with autism have the same rights and freedoms as the rest of society."
