If anything, "normal" looking is why its so hard to define autism. My sons teacher had the same perception as most.... autistic children are supposed to be withdrawn, non-verbal, anti-social and highly challenged when it comes to learning. It wasnt until the EAC Liason came to observe my son in his class that she learned that it isnt always your typical perception that you look for. After researching, she found what most autistic children are, open, fun loving children who can look normal, but have autism all the same. While the school system will not do anything for him until he is behind in school.... she, being a wonderful teacher, learned all that she could so she can keep him from falling behind.

I think a lot of it is just that people are uneducated about Autism, and special needs kids in general. Many automatically link physical characteristics such as those with Downs Syndrome, or physical handicaps to someone with special needs and don't think about the parts that you can't see in all the other kids with special needs.

@A MyAutismTeam Member. That's exactly what my husband says. It is what it is. Lol. We need like a week retreat somewhere so we can all relax and feel like we belong and not worry if we talk about scrubbing poop off the walls for the ump time when trying to potty train at 6 years old.
I no longer have poop. I am scrubbing boogies now off my bathroom wall.

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A MyAutis...

@A MyAutismTeam Member hi Brittany, ny favorite response to that is ""oh really abd where did you learn what "NORMAL" looks like!"" Do you have a regional center? They have a test they can do that is standard, they will probably try to discourage you from habing it done but its your right and you need to inssist because you are his best advocate and its going to be a fight but you will find when it comes to getting services for your child most things are going to require you to fight for his rights and most of the time the programs he/she needs the most or the ones that are the best they'll try to make it difficult in hopes that you'll give up and they wont have to do they're job or the paperwork involved. Just remember that you have rights and your child has rights....so dont give up... fight!!!! your child deserves to have the best care medically, psychologically and educationally and always remember you are his best advocate, no one else will fight for him as hard as you will. And you're not alone you have a wonderful support team and I will be here to listen and help in any way I can.

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A MyAutis...

I have heard this before and I believe its because people are used to being able to identify someone with down syndrome or a cleft lip. It also talks to the people's ignorance about what Autism is. This is why I carry the cards about "What is Autism?" in case the question pops up.