Have you ever been told that your autistic child — whether they’re 5 or 25 — can’t really learn or understand the world around them?
Maybe you’ve heard doctors, teachers, or even therapists say, “That’s just autism,” as if every challenge your child faces is fixed and unchangeable.
Parents tell me all the time:
“I feel like no one really gets my child. People look at their test scores, their behaviors, or the fact that they don’t speak — and they assume the worst.”
The truth? Much of what we’ve been told about autism is completely wrong.
And believing those myths not only limits how we see autistic individuals — it limits what they can achieve.
Let’s look at five of the biggest misconceptions about autism and what’s really true.
1. Myth: Autistic individuals experience the world the same way we do
If that were true, autistic people could “just stop” stimming, “just follow directions,” or “just behave.”
But their sensory world is completely different.
Lights can feel blinding. Sounds can be painfully loud. Movement takes extra effort. Vision works differently.
These differences in perception are why autistic individuals might struggle with things like sitting still or completing a task. It’s not a matter of willpower — it’s a difference in how the brain and body work together.
The “Theory of Mind” Misunderstanding
Another common myth is that autistic people can’t understand others’ emotions.
But countless autistic adults have proven that wrong. They feel deeply, empathize, and want to connect — the challenge is often expressing it in ways neurotypical people recognize.
Maybe it’s not that autistic individuals can’t connect with us — maybe it’s that we haven’t learned how to truly connect with them.
2. Myth: “That’s just autism”
Parents hear this one far too often from professionals.
- Your child hasn’t gone to the bathroom in a week? That’s just autism.
- Your child is having seizures? That’s just autism.
- They’re not sleeping, eating only three foods, always sick? That’s just autism.
In reality, many of these symptoms are signs of underlying medical issues — gut imbalances, poor sleep, mitochondrial dysfunction, or chronic inflammation.
These problems can directly affect motor planning, communication, and emotional regulation. When we ignore them, we miss the root cause of so many challenges.
Autism isn’t an excuse to stop looking deeper — it’s a reason to look closer.
3. Myth: Nonverbal means incapable of communication
One of the most harmful misconceptions about autism is that being nonverbal means lacking intelligence.
But here’s the truth: speech is one of the most complex motor skills humans perform. Since autism involves neuromotor differences, speaking can be extremely difficult for some.
Nonverbal ≠ Non-thinking
“Nonverbal” simply means without spoken words — not “without thoughts.”
Many nonspeaking individuals communicate using typing, spelling, or letter boards once they’re given proper motor supports.
It’s not about intelligence — it’s about movement. When we teach intentional motor skills and presume competence, we unlock incredible potential.
So ask yourself:
What if your child has been capable all along, but just hasn’t had the right tools to show it?
4. Myth: Behavior is always communication
We’ve all heard this phrase: “All behavior is communication.”
But is it always?
If your child struggles with whole-body apraxia (difficulty controlling movement), that sudden punch, grab, or scream might not be aggression at all — it might be an impulsive movement they couldn’t control.
Aggression requires intent. Impulsivity does not.
Understanding the neuromotor aspect of autism helps us respond with compassion and accuracy instead of labeling behaviors as “bad” or “defiant.”
5. Myth: Autistic individuals are intellectually delayed
This is one of the most damaging myths of all.
From the moment of diagnosis, many autistic children are labeled as having low IQ or limited learning potential — based on test scores that don’t measure what’s really happening.
But here’s the truth:
Autism is not a thinking problem — it’s a moving problem.
When the brain and body struggle to coordinate, it can make it hard to show what they know. Many children who seem “behind” actually understand far more than their tests reveal.
Presume Competence
Presuming competence doesn’t mean assuming a child knows everything — it means refusing to limit them before giving them the opportunity to prove themselves.
When we see autism through a neuromotor lens, everything changes. We stop focusing on deficits and start focusing on potential.
At Spellers Center Atlanta, we presume competence in EVERY client because we know that they are capable of achieving all of their goals when they are given the opportunity.
Final Thoughts
So much of what we think we know about autism comes from misunderstanding.
Autistic individuals are not broken, less intelligent, or unreachable — they are processing the world differently.
When we look beyond the myths, we begin to see who they truly are — capable, feeling, and ready to connect when given the chance.
👉 Want to learn more?
Visit our YouTube channel @DrDanaJohnson
for educational videos on autism, neuromotor development, and how to support your child’s growth.
Be sure to check out the Spellers Documentary to see how Spellers Method has impacted so many people’s lives.
