But as time went on and I really started to learn what autism was, I realized just how complex it is. So, let's separate the fact from the fiction. Autism is rare - perhaps the biggest myth, probably due to the fact that there aren't any physical symptoms. The fact is that autism affects 1 in 500 people. That makes it more common then Down Syndrome.
Autistic children are retarded - sometimes children with autism are also labeled retarded.
I find this kind of funny, since the method of determining this is usually an IQ test. In my opinion, an IQ test is irrelevant with autism, simply because they don't see things the way we do. In reality, there are many that go on to college and get a degree. Unfortunately, with social interaction difficulties, even those with degrees often cannot find employment. Many physicians and therapists still believe this to be true.