Myth or Fact
History
Signs/Symptoms
Demographics
Tips/Strategies
100

Vaccines cause autism.

Myth

100

Name at least one celebrity who is on the spectrum.

Greta Thunberg, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Elon Musk, etc.

100

What is the ratio of girls to boys diagnosed with ASD?

1:4

100

What is the primary difficulty for people on the spectrum?

Impaired social interaction

100

Speak ________ to minimize miscommunications.



directly

200

ASD must have notably impacted a person’s development in order for them to be diagnosed.

Fact

200

Who was the first person to be diagnosed with autism?

Donald Triplett

200

At least 1 out of _____ people in the US have autism.

~100

200

What is the word used when someone is exposed to more sensory input than they can process comfortably?

Overstimulation

200

What is a skill someone with ASD can practice to help manage symptoms?

Self-care, making a routine, keeping calming items (related answers accepted)

300

People with autism are more intelligent on average than people not on the spectrum.

Myth

300

When was autism officially recognized as its own, distinct diagnosis? (Within 5 years.)

1978

300

There is an increased chance of having autism if…

...someone in the family has it.

300

Name two early signs of autism in children.

Lack of eye contact, not playing with others, heavy preference for routine, echoing and/or repeating

300

Name at least three things that you can do to support people on the spectrum.

Understand/ support their needs, stop the spread of misinformation where you can, stand behind people with autism when they advocate for political and social reform, etc.

400

The rate of seizures among people on the spectrum is roughly 10 times higher than the general population.

Fact

400

What disorder was autism initially thought to be related to?

Schizophrenia

400

What percentage of people on the spectrum have “savant syndrome?

~10%

400

How early can signs of autism be noticed in a child?

Infancy

400

Name at least one method of therapy that can be useful for someone on the spectrum.

Applied Behavior Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, etc.

500

Supporting a child on the spectrum (therapy and other medical expenses) costs an average of about $5,000 per year.

Myth… it’s usually at least double that, and averages closer to $50,000

500

Name at least one researcher involved in creating the modern definition of autism.

Grunya Sukhareva, Leo Kanner, Hans Asperger, etc.

500

What percentage of people on the spectrum have a concurrent (interrelated) diagnosis?

~10%

500

Name two intersectional factors that can impact the symptoms a person on the spectrum displays.

Gender, nationality, family, wealth, etc.

500

What can you do to help someone who is being overstimulated?

Provide an opportunity for them to get away from the source of their distress (other answers also accepted, but this should be first)

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