Tag Archive | "misconceptions"

Top 10 Misconceptions About Ancient Egypt People Love To Believe

1 2

The history of the Ancient Egypt has always cultivated the fascination of people towards this great civilization. The Ancient Egyptians are without a doubt one of the most prolific and advanced empires of all times, from both the technological and social points of view. It comes as no surprise that archeology has a special sub-science referred to as Egyptology. However, the numerous inexplicable aspects of the Ancient Egypt have also stemmed numerous myths and misconceptions. Furthermore, the propensity towards believing these false notions is also emphasized by several Hollywood productions that paint a romantic, surreal picture of the society at that time. Let’s explore a few of them.

 

1. The legendary beauty of Queen Cleopatra

Queen CleopatraIt is easy to understand why a misconception that stems from the works of Shakespeare and is perpetuated in virtually all plays and movies stands to this very day. However, Roman coins from that period tell a completely different tale. In fact, Queen Cleopatra VII was anything but beautiful. The bulky nose, her pronounced chin and the small lip line are features that cannot be associated with beauty, irrespective of the cultural archetype of femininity. On the other hand, historical records indicate that she was an extremely charismatic and intelligent figure.

 

2. The ancient Egyptians fascination with death

mummificationTo think that the ancient Egyptians borderline obsession with the mummification techniques, the imposing architecture of tombs and the intricate burying rituals performed indicates they were preoccupied with death is a huge mistake. In fact, all these aspects show us how much the Egyptians glorified and celebrated life, even after death. Death is regarded only as a transitional phase to the afterlife and all the rituals are set in place to ensure the safe passage of the deceased and continuation of the spirit.

 

3. Aliens played a role in the development of the Ancient Egypt civilization

AliensIt may be very tempting to associated things that we do not fully comprehend with alien contact, but that would simply constitute an insult to the brilliant achievements of the Ancient Egyptians. In spite of the fact that conspiracy theorists argue that the pyramids could not have been built with the technology of that era and that not even modern science can replicate their architecture, bringing aliens into the equation is presumptuous and has no rational basis. Moreover, let’s not forget that Egypt was home to some of the most renowned scholars, mathematicians, architects and astronomers in recorded history.

 

4. We already know everything there is to know about Egypt

Solar boatFalse, archeologists uncover new elements that shed more and more light on the intricate nature of the Ancient Egyptian society every single day. For example, quite recently they discovered a full-scale model of the so called “solar boat” inside the Great Pyramid! In case you did not know, this vessel was allegedly utilized by the Sun God Ra on his never ending battle against the demon of darkness named Apep. The fact that it was placed inside the tomb suggests that Ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaohs’ role was to assist Ra on his journey after their death.

 

5. Ancient Egyptians invented hieroglyphs

hieroglyphsThere are in fact two misconceptions encompassing the hieroglyphs: their authors and their purpose. To put it simply, while some consider hieroglyphs a creation of the Ancient Egyptians, other erroneously believe that these characters represent spells, incantations and curses. While nobody knows for certain when or where the hieroglyphs were invented, as historical evidence suggests they originated from the Western Asian tribes. Furthermore, hieroglyphs constitute historical event depictions and harmless inscriptions.

 



 

1 2

Posted in Featured, MisComments (0)

Top 10 Midlife Crisis Misconceptions

1 2

The term midlife crisis refers to a specific stage in a person’s life when he/she undergoes significant changes. According to the psychologist that first introduced this term, Daniel Levinson, the crisis is bound to occur in your midst 40s and is accompanied by crucial transformation in your life. However, not all psychologists are convinced that this major life alteration will appear spontaneously and simply because an individual turns 40.

In addition, the critics of the hypothesis claim that the midlife crisis is not a universal phenomenon. Essentially, the reasons why a person can be depressed at that age take on many shapes that do not necessarily have anything to do with this psychological imbalance. With this background in mind, let’s summarize the common myths surrounding the midlife crisis.

 

1. Men develop an irresistible attraction for fast red convertibles

However funny it may sound, the pseudo-fact that all men going through the middle crisis purchase red speedsters comes from the Hollywood classic “American Beauty”. However, if you were to take a peek at the shopping behavior of 40 years old men, you will soon realize that red convertibles are not among their top preferences. In addition, consumer behavior also seems to indicate that even young men prefer less-aggressive colors.

 

2. The crisis begins when both your parents have passed away

Many people assume that the starting point of the midlife crisis is triggered by the passing away of both your parents. On the other hand, psychologists suggest that subconsciously everyone prepares himself for this dramatic moment during adulthood. Furthermore, people learn throughout their lives to have normative expectations regarding that unpredictable and inexorable moment, meaning that they do expect to outlive their parents. Consequentially, these tragic circumstances will not automatically trigger a midlife crisis.

 

3. People with midlife crisis grow tired of manual labor

Granted, trends indicate an increasing number of adults who are enrolling in college classes. However, this behavior has nothing to do with the fact that they are experiencing a midlife crisis and they are tired of manual labor. More plausible explanation of why people in their 40s prefer to return to college include the pursuit of a promotion, getting a better salary or trying to improve their career.

 

4. Decrease of libido and sexual interest

In spite of the common belief, being in your 40s will not necessarily imply you lose all interest towards your spouse and stop having sexual encounters. . In fact, both men and women in this category mention they have an active and satisfactory sex life. The loss of sexual interest as well as the decrease of the libido is associated with other factors, such as stress and work-related exhaustion.

 

5. Midlife crisis demands you have an affair

The belief that all people going through the midlife crisis will seek out an affair entails another misconception introduced by Hollywood. In fact, the romantic movie plots when a midlife crisis male character is not search for “young flesh” can be counted on your fingers. On the other hand, surveys indicate that this not what people over 40 do or desire, as a large percentage prefers the relationship they have built over the years

 



 

1 2

Posted in MisComments (0)

Top 10 Misconceptions About The European Union

1 2

Even though many have looked upon it with a frowned eye, the world has to accept the fact that the European Union is the new kid on the block. The idea of forming such a political, economical and social entity emerged from the necessity of reforming the old continent.

While the EU is viewed as a single force, it is still too early to dub it state or confederacy, given the fact that its members continue to rely on their own governments, finances and still enjoy national identities. This dilemma concerning the definition of the EU entity leads many non-European countries to have false perceptions regarding the EU.

 

1. EU’s economy is sclerotic

The economy of the European Union is far from weak, given the fact that it currently produces an output surpassing that of the US and China combined. Despite the fact that it has been seriously injured by the global economic crisis, Europe still enjoys lower unemployment rates, higher GDP, while the ROIs outperformed those of the United States. Unlike the US, the old continent is powered more by smaller companies and is not as dependant on major corporations.

 

2. Russia controls the EU’s economy from the shadows

While back in the days, the entire continent was dependant on Russian gas, nowadays it only utilizes approximately 6.5% of the natural resource. For quite a few years now, Europe has started implementing a system based on renewable and greener energy. In fact, the EU members made a commitment to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by increasing the percentage of renewable energy used by 2020.

 

3. EU has no international power

The EU has a great advantage to the United States and other countries of the world: a rich experience in diplomatic relations. After all, how else could it keep all the 27 member states happy? This velvet diplomacy proprietary to the EU made it possible to reevaluate the definition of power and the way it should be understood in the 21st century. Make no mistake, just because it does not show off with a strong military force at each dictator’s doorstep, it does not mean that its methods and results are not equally effective.

 

4. The European Union has no future

The recent acknowledgment of the large financial deficits that some of the EU members are experiencing has paved the way for many speculations, including the fall of the European Union. A special case is that of Greece whose insolvency is believed to weaken the currency and severely affect the other countries’ economies. Without denying Greece’s alarming deficit, it is necessary to mention that it is only 2.2% higher than the one in the US. Besides, the European Commission is already working on several strategies in the eventuality the Greece decides to leave the EU.

 

5. The EU is formed on Marxist principles

It is very likely that the false premise according to which Europe has extreme socialist orientations resides in the misinterpretation of the concept of “codetermination”. Considering that the idiom refers to the ability of the workers to select their own board of directors, you cannot get more democratic than that. It is very possible that the false idea has originated from the fact that the EU decided to harness the wealth-creating capacity, as promoted by former communist dictators.

 



 

1 2

Posted in EducationComments (0)

Top 10 Frequently Encountered Misconceptions Concerning Water

1 2

The reason why so many people are confused regarding whether or not they should drink water, what type and how much, resides in the conflicting information that is widely accessible on the internet nowadays. While the medical community advocates one thing, you will also be able to find exactly the opposite suggestions somewhere else. Most misconceptions arise from the misinterpretation of the doctor’s advice and here is a short top ten list for the most frequently encountered ones. However, keep in mind that this specific list is not exhaustive and you should consult with your physician for further clarifications.

 

1. The 8 glass of 8 ounce per day rule always applies for everyone

This myth most likely originates from the RDA recommendations issued more than 50 years ago, but more recent studies indicate that the 8 glasses of water is not exactly the optimal quantity. Specialists suggest that you should aim to ingest approximately 12 glasses of 8 ounces of liquid (irrespective of its provenience, be it juice, fruit, vegetables, etc.). The researchers from Institute of Medicine who issued these recommendations also advise increasing the quantity in accordance to the intensity of the daily physical effort and excessive heat that determines more perspiration.

 

2. Tooth decay is primary determined by drinking bottled water

Well, tooth decay is more of an indirect effect of the widespread bottled water consumption. The origins of this misconception come from the association of the higher occurrence of dental cavities with the popularization of the bottled water. Because the substance known as fluoride is not present in bottled water as it is in its tap counterpart and due to the fact that fluoride helps in mineralizing the teeth, it is easy to understand the roots of this myth. However, the fluoride deficiency can be compensated by switching to a brand of toothpaste that contains a higher quantity.

 

3. Drinking water is directly responsible for skin moisture

The effects of water on the moisture levels of the epidermis are negligible at best. The only time when there is a clear link between them is when you are experience severe dehydration. In fact, the dryness/moisture levels of the skin are influenced by external factors and in an extremely low percentage by the internal ones.

 

4. The proper water consumption has no influence on weight loss

It is fairly true that water has no direct impact on the person’s weight, but the indirect effects are definitely real. For example, when you switch from beverages with a high amount of calories to water, you will be able to quench your thirst without adding to your weight. In addition, water has the ability to make your stomach feel full, making it less tempting for you to eat at random points of the day. Take into account the cleansing properties and the ability to hasten the metabolism and you can easily understand the link between water and weight loss.

 

5. Drinking water during your meal has a negative impact on digestion

The theory that water should not be included in your meal and that you should wait a bit to drink water after you eat have absolutely no scientific basis. In other words, there is no hard evidence to support them. These ideas most likely come from the fact that diluting the gastric acid slows down the digestive process, but they have not been proven so far. Therefore, researchers even recommend that you drink one glass with your meal, because you will feel full faster.

 



 

1 2

Posted in HealthComments (0)

Top 10 Relationship Misconceptions

1 2

Nowadays, TV shows, magazines and certain websites are filled with erroneous information about the premises of a romantic involvement. However, if we were to believe that everyone is bound to follow the paths as the ones of popular artists, we would be exposing ourselves to the risk of ruining the relationship sooner or later. Let’s review the false principles presented as rules of thumb regarding relationships.

 

1. My marriage will surely end up in divorce

The available data on divorce and marriage ratio seems alarming at first. However, analyzing the figures more thoroughly, you will soon realize that the vast majority of people getting divorced are not the same ones that get married. To put it simply, the statement according to which all marrying people are prone to get a divorce is bogus. As a side note, if you are the kind of person who enjoys keeping track of celebrities’ marriages, then take note that those relationships are commonly confronted with specific problems (spending too much time apart during video/movie shooting, the millions of fans worldwide, etc.).

 

2. Couple counseling is ineffective

The couple counseling therapy’s bad name comes from the abundance of parodies presenting a completely deformed picture of the trade. It is easy to understand why married couple have this misconception considering that a large percentage of them have learned about it from movies. Essentially, couple counseling is a therapy technique based on solid clinical evidence that has shown consistently positive results over the years.

 

3. Opposites attract

While there are many relationships between people with opposite points of view out there, it is necessary to mention that in general they never make it too far. In fact, research clearly indicates that long-lasting satisfactory marriages rely on similarities between the partners. Simply put, when the initial strong sexual attraction returns to normal levels, couples who share the same views and outlooks are left with a comforting feeling of mature love and the pleasure of spending time with their spouse.

 

4. Children decrease the marital satisfaction

Granted, the birth of a child will affect both the parents and their romantic involvement. For many years now, researchers showed that the marital satisfaction level follows an U-shaped curve, the lowest point of couple contentment being associated with the first child. On the other hand, new studies pointed out the logic flaw of this theory, namely that the research focused on various families at totally different stages and did not examine on the entire transition to parenthood cycle. At the same time, the new studies suggest that couples feel their relationship has improved along with the birth of a child.

 

5. The empty nest effect

In the 1960s and 1970s, psychologists believe that women’s mental health will start decreasing when their grown-up children decide to move out. While it is true that all parents experience the empty nest effect, their mental health and romantic involvement is not affected in any way. As a matter of fact, there is sufficient evidence suggesting that couples living with their children have less sexual encounters compared to couples living alone.

 



 

1 2

Posted in MisComments (0)

Top 10 Interesting Facts About The Somali Pirates

1 2

There are some misconceptions about Somali pirates with increasing news coverage. They are gaining the attention of the international community with the hostile tactics. The question this article desires to ask: who are the pirates? What is their motive? Who pushed them to the edge? Well let’s take a look at these questions in 10 interesting facts.

 

1.

The cause for insurgency was corporations and foreigners ‘trespassing’ on Somali waters. Foreign corporations dumped their waste inside the Somali waters, while foreigners were fishing. Somalia is a country that has a large fishery dependency. With scarce income, many Somali fishermen are protective of their property and their assets.

 

2.

The Guardian in the U.K. reported that 44% of piracy incidents on world seas between January and September 2010 were caused by Somali pirates. There were 289 incidents in total.

 

3.

Piracy has hindered on the delivery of shipping material and has increased shipping costs. The Telegraph reports that piracy has cost £10 billion a year in trade.

 

4.

In just the fall of 2011, 300 people were held hostage by differing groups of Somali pirates. The international Maritime Bureau thus has considered Somali coast to be a dangerous stretch of water to enter.

 

5.

They are not your typical pirates. They do not wear eye patches and swords. They are more modern than Captain Cook. They have RPGs in their hands which they use as scare tactics for ransom.

 



 

1 2

Posted in Featured, MisComments (0)

Top 10 Misconceptions About Nursing

Nurses are healthcare professionals who are responsible for the treatment, safety, and recovery of ill patients. They work with doctors in rounds to make sure that all needs are met and that patients are taken care of. There are, however, some myths that need to be debunked. Stereotypes define nursing and I out to spell them out.

 

Myth 1: All nursing jobs are the same:

Truth: This is not correct. There are two main types of nursing titles: Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse. Each title has different job duties assigned to them. For example, you would see more RPNs/LPNs in the extensive care units, while more RNs will work in the emergency room. This is not to say that these duties are rigid. With further qualifications, the lines between RPN/LPN and RN become blurred.

 

Myth 2: Nurses cannot advance in their jobs:

Truth: Absolutely false. Many nurses go on to obtain their masters degree and become Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL). This position is developed to train highly skilled nurses, who focus on improving the quality and safety results for patients. Others can become Nurse Practitioners, who make decision when the doctor is absent.

 

Myth 3: Nurses wear white uniforms and a white hat:

Truth: Absolutely not…unless it is for traditional purposes. The uniform has not been used since World War II.

 

Myth 4: All nurses are women:

If anyone watched Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, you will see an example of a male nurse. It is quite usual now to have male nurses. Not all nurses will be female. According to statistics in 2010, 5% of nurses are male now in the United States. They are increasing, but the myth and stereotype has not gone away.

 

Myth 5: Male nurses are less respected:

Truth: There is no truth to this. There are some restrictions on where a male nurse can go for very obvious reasons. For example, maternity wards will mostly hire women nurses to assist with birth. Yet again this stereotype will probably go away as there are male doctors and gynecologists.

 

Myth 6: Nursing duties are not hard to perform:

Truth: Nurses take care of patients round the clock. They make them comfortable, take care of them, feed them and even provide them with medical care doctor prescribed. They work in rounds with the doctors and have a say in the decision making process. Their job is not easy as they deal with frustrated patients and do the work that leads up to the doctor visit.

 

Myth 7: Nurses are Failed Doctors:

Truth: This is a horrible stereotype that has not been debunked yet. It is not true in any sense. Many nurses are quite qualified and have the appropriate skills in what they do. There are various reasons why nursing was the only option; references could be made to money, job duties and the market. There are no statistics to prove this myth.

 

Myth 8: All nurses can prescribe pills and medication:

Truth: Nurses do initial work and doctors are the ones who assess the situation and prescribe the medication whenever necessary. If there is an emergency and the doctor is nowhere to be found, the Nurse Practitioner makes the call.

 

Myth 9: Nurses Get Burned Out:

Truth: Nurses are no different than other professionals. Each profession brings its own stress and workload. We can not judge as it is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

Myth 10: Nursing jobs are easy to find:

Truth: This all depends on the area and country you are working in. Nursing jobs now require more specific skills and training. If anyone wants to work in the emergency room, they will need extra courses and certifications before they are hired. It is very important to note that there are known barriers to nursing jobs, as much as there are job prospects.

 

Posted in Featured, HealthComments (0)

Top 10 Misconceptions About Sushi

Sushi is the most misunderstood food item. Many friends will not go to a sushi restaurant because they do not like raw meat. Many people also complain that sushi and sashimi are cut too thin and too small. This article desires to answer some questions many people have when it comes to sushi; dispelling the myths.

 

Myth 1: All sushi are raw:

Truth: No. In fact not all sushi are made and served raw. Unagi (eel) sushi and also kani (crab meat) sushi are examples of non-raw meat. The unagi, specifically, is barbecued and served on a bed of rice.

 

Myth 2: The thicker the sushi, the better is the restaurant serving it:

Truth: This is not always the case. Sushi is judged by the perfection of the sushi chef’s cut. All sushi must be cut thinly and at an angle. Chefs go through special training and have to master the art of cutting sushi. Those that cut thick slices are not master chefs; thus it makes the quality low.

 

Myth 3: Sushi restaurants do not serve vegetarians:

Truth: There are vegetarian maki sushi rolls filled with yam, cucumbers and avocado. There are also vegetarian sushi restaurant, which are in the culinary business of mimicking real fish. Remember, it’s not real fish, it’s vegetarian made with tofu and food colouring.

 

Myth 4: Sushi is eaten only with chopsticks:

Truth: It is very easy to use chopsticks and pick up sticky rice with them. Many restaurants and website guides would be happy to show you how to hold chopsticks properly. If you still cannot use chopsticks, a fork or even hands are fine.

 

Myth 5: The soy sauce served with sushi causes infertility/sterility:

Truth: Statistics show you need to drink 12 oz or 60g of soy sauce per month in order to be effected by mimicking estrogen levels and infertility/sterility. Most humans do not come close to such numbers.

 

Myth 6: You can get mercury poisoning from sushi:

Truth: Like all other foods, you need to eat sushi on a sporadic basis. This means that you cannot eat it everyday. Many fish like tuna and salmon have high mercury levels. It is best to check the guide on mercury levels per fish if you would like to know more information. If you eat sushi once a week or even twice per week, you are at low risk of getting mercury poisoning.

 

Myth 7: You can die from eating raw fish from sushi:

Truth: Again, as I’ve said before, everything needs to be eaten at a good proportion. Too much is not good for you and your health. If you eat too much, you will have major consequences.

 

Myth 8: Japanese Restaurant only serve sushi:

Truth: Sushi is not only Japanese food. Many Korean restaurants serve the dish as well. Many Japanese restaurants also have other specialties like teriyaki, teppanyaki, soups and small appetizers such as miso soup and kani salad.

 

Myth 9: Sushi is not healthy as the rice is starched:

Truth: No, this is not the case. The wasabi is excellent for cleaning out your stomach. The seaweed, which many sushi rolls are wrapped in, is healthy as well. It has important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

 

Myth 10: Pregnant women should not eat sushi:

Truth: Sushi is not only made with raw fish. Pregnant women are advised against eating raw meat sushi because of the bacterial issues. However, they are allowed to eat seaweed and vegetarian maki sushi rolls. Thus, women are allowed to eat in sushi restaurants. It is all about the type of sushi they eat while in the restaurant.

 

Posted in Featured, HealthComments (0)

Top 10 Misconceptions About Green Tea

1 2

Green tea is a popular drink that has various benefits. Many associate the tea with excellent health and well-being. Many green tea lovers do not base their opinions on facts and miss the crucial information they need to understand the tea. As such, here are the top-10 misconceptions about green tea.

 

1. Green Tea is decaffeinated:
Green Tea is decaffeinatedDespite popular beliefs, green tea does carry caffeine. The exact amount is determined by the quantity of tea used and the length of time the leaves are dried. On average green tea has 15-40 mg of caffeine compared to instant coffee which has 50-100 mg per cup. Excessive drinking could cause insomnia, dizziness and fast heart beats.

 

2. Green Tea helps people lose weight:
Green Tea helps people lose weightThe studies done on green teas are valid. However, the tests are principally looking at specific type of teas as the areas of concentration. They sometimes fail to examine other teas as a form of analysis. For example, European scientists have found that black tea has identical results as green tea when helping tea drinkers lose weight. Asian researchers when exhilarating the green tea market, failed to mention this in their studies.

 

3. Green Tea, Black Tea and Oolong come from different plants:
Green Tea, Black Tea and Oolong come from different plantsThis is not true, despite popular beliefs. All teas come from Camellia Sinensis. This belief is similar to that of olives. Green and Black olives come from the same tree; yet when ripe, green olives turn black. When it comes to tea, the colour of the leaves is determined by the way each is processed.

 

4. Black tea has more caffeine than Green Tea:Black tea has more caffeine than Green Tea
Despite popular beliefs one should not view caffeine levels by the colour of the tea. The younger the leaves, the more caffeine the tea has. For example, Japanese green tea, Gyokuro, has more caffeine than a regular green tea.

 

5. Green Tea makes you healthy:
Green tea is not the magic tooth fairy. It cannot produce wanders as much as people would love to think. Although green tea does speed up the metabolism, it does not solve various other problems associated with overweight. One cannot just drink a cup of green tea after eating 4000 calories worth of food and think they will be able to lose weight and reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The process of burning fat would be faster but surely not thorough at a snap of a finger or shall we say, a cup of green tea.

 



 

1 2

Posted in Featured, HealthComments (1)

Top 10 Common Myths About Autism

Imagine you are someone who simultaneously sees and hears the following things:

(I) red light flashing in front of you

(II) paper being scrunched in your ear

(III) someone yelling at you in your ear

(IV) someone tapping their finger on your desk

This scenario represents the day in a life of someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disability that weakens an individual’s social interaction and communication. Children begin to show signs of ASD before the age of three. Various skills do not develop until adulthood.

I’ve decided to dedicate this article to correcting 10 myths about Autism that many people still believe to be true. Please share this with as many people as possible to help raise autism awareness. We may not understand where Autism comes from, but we at least are able to stick together and help one another and to educate ourselves about what autism is.

Myth # 1: There is a cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Truth: ASD is a lifelong disorder and stays with the person throughout his/her life. Although there is no cure, there are intensive programs designed to integrate individuals with the disorder. Many experts use different methods such as music therapy and social stories to treat people suffering because ASD.

 

Myth # 2: Bad Parentage is the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Truth: Statistics and studies have not been able to back up this statement. Many parents are quite supportive of children with ASD. They have allied themselves with organizations such as Autism Speaks to help. Parents increasingly feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities that come with having a family member with ASD. Many have had to quit their jobs to better help their children.

Parents of autistic children sometimes meet disapproving eyes of people who believe their children’s behavior is simply because of bad parenting. This has long since been proved wrong. Fortunately, increased autism awareness has decreased such misconception.

 

Myth # 3: People with Autism are incapable of learning

Truth: This is dead wrong. Often, autistic people are behind their age mates and reach the developmental milestones later than normal. But when they get appropriate support, particularly with early intervention (when autism is discovered early, e.g. under the age of 3) autistic people can make incredible improvement and often keep up with their age mates in school.

 

Myth # 4: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show lack of emotion

Truth: Sometimes, because of the social difficulties, autistic people are considered to be “cold” because they do not seem to express love or show empathy. However, most autistic people are more than capable of feeling and expressing love though sometimes in unusual ways. Moreover, many autistic people are far more empathetic, though they may express their empathy in different ways than us. Every cue and every sign counts.

 

Myth # 5: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are good at patterns and memorization

Truth: If anyone has read the book, The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time, one would remember Christopher memorizing information and being concerned with patterns. His attention and focus were only on the topics he loved such as murder mysteries. Christopher is an example of someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, one of the 5 types of ASD. There are various individuals, who have trouble processing their information. They may try to memorize credit cards, essays, speeches and dates. However, many individuals with ASD can go into withdrawal because of an overload of information in their brain.

 

Myth # 6: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) do not communicate well

Truth: 80% of individuals with ASD learn how to speak and communicate after intensive schooling and training. Many individuals like Temple Grandin serve as an example of someone, who overcame the barriers of ASD to become a professor, author and public speaker.

 

Myth # 7: We can understand and comprehend Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Truth: The ASD support ribbon is a good analogy to explain ASD. ASD cases are different. Each individual who has ASD may not have the same symptoms as his classmate. The contrast in colours in the ribbon represent that complexity of this disorder. Scientists cannot begin to understand ASD as each case is special.

 

Myth # 8: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is represented by numerous Non-Profit Organizations

Truth: Many individuals would argue that ASD is not properly represented by non-profit organizations. Many organizations such as Autism Speaks fail to include individuals with ASD on their board councils. One should note that not all individuals with autism are the same. Many individuals grow up to be excellent role model and high functioning citizens in the globalizing world. They can represent themselves as much as others can.

 

Myth # 9: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cannot make eye contact

Truth: With intensive programs and school, individuals with ASD can make eye contact. Although they have difficulties social interacting with others, they can outgrow some of the symptoms as well. One should also remember that not all individuals with ASD have the same symptoms.

 

Myth # 10: Punishment can cure Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Truth: This is false. Many individuals with ASD are oversensitive to various situations. Punishment can make the situation worse.

 

Posted in Featured, HealthComments (0)