NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE ARE NOT A SINGLE PERSONALITY TYPE.
Myth: “Girls do not get autism or ADHD.”
Fact: Autism and ADHD affect girls and women. NHS and NICE guidance specifically recognise that they may be under-recognised or harder to identify in girls and women.
Myth: “If she makes eye contact, she cannot be autistic.”
Fact: NICE specifically says not to rule out autism in a child or young person because of good eye contact. Behaviour varies, and masking can make differences less visible.
Myth: “ADHD just means being hyperactive.”
Fact: ADHD can involve inattentive and/or hyperactive-impulsive features. NHS guidance notes that women may more commonly present with inattentive features that can be harder to recognise.
Myth: “Sensory needs are just fussiness.”
Fact: Sensory differences are recognised within autism guidance. The practical response is to identify the barrier and consider reasonable adaptations rather than ridicule it.
Myth: “Quiet means coping.”
Fact: Appearing to cope does not prove that no support is needed. Masking can make difficulty less visible.
Myth: “A coach can tell if someone is autistic or has ADHD.”
Fact: Coaches can notice that a player is struggling with an environment or instruction, but clinical diagnosis belongs to appropriately qualified professionals.
Myth: “An adjustment is unfair.”
Fact: Adjustments are intended to remove barriers. Fair participation does not always mean identical treatment.
Myth: “Everyone with autism needs quiet.”
Fact: Needs vary. Some people seek more sensory input; some avoid particular inputs; some have no difficulty with a feature another person finds overwhelming.
Myth: “A special diet can cure autism.”
Fact: Autism is not an illness to be cured. NICE advises against exclusion diets such as gluten- or casein-free diets for managing the core features of autism in children and young people.