"If you've met one child with Autism, you've met one child with Autism"

I frequently post on a special needs board where there are many mothers of children with all different challenges.
Many of these children are on the spectrum. However, while many of them have Autism and share some basic characteristics of ASD, the mothers there realize that no two children with Autism are alike.
Someone recently told me that each child with Autism has their own "recipe". I thought this was a brilliant way to describe it.
There are many professionals who have dismissed parent's concerns for their child because the child's challenges didn't meet the stereotypical case of Autism.
I can't tell you how much this frustrates me.
Here are some "myths" about Autism that I've heard from pediatricians, neurologists and psychologists which turned out all to be false. They are not fully educated in diagnosing Autism. If you ever here these things, run! Go find a developmental ped. or a psychiatrist/psychologist SPECIALIZING in diagnosing Autism.

Myth #1 ALL Children with Autism don't make eye contact
Myth # 2 ALL Children with Autism aren't socially engaging
Myth #3 ALL Children with Autism are savants
Myth #4 ALL Children with Autism can't play make believe or pretend
Myth #5 All Children with Autism can't hold it together in social settings without melting down

The thing is, Autism is a spectrum disorder. This means there is a wide range of behaviors/capabilities/etc. No two children with Autism are the same. Many have sensory issues, behavioral issues, attention issues, communication issues, social issues, etc but none of these things necessarily look the same in all children.

Here is a link to a great site with TONS of info on Autism and neurodiversity :) Enjoy!
http://www.neurodiversity.com/main.html