answers to preconceived ideas and untruths

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Damien Mascret, doctor and France Télévisions journalist, explains, on the set of 20 Heures, that autistic people are not in their bubble. “We have to make an effort, because autistic people don’t understand social codes very well (…) but that should not prevent us from communicating,” he explains. Likewise, while some have their attention focused on areas of interest, others may have mental retardation.

A possible learning

The origin of autism is not yet known, but it is not the fault of the parents. “It is a neurodevelopmental disease which probably begins before birth”, specifies the doctor. Finally, autistic people can learn using specific and adapted techniques. “Some will even be sufficiently independent to live alone or work”concludes Damien Mascret.