Ministry Uses Awareness Month to Address Myths About Autism

AGOURA HILLS, CA (KCBI News) – April is Autism Awareness Month. Appropriately, the Christian Institute on Disability with the ministry of Joni and Friends is setting out to debunk some myths about the mysterious condition.

A DVD series from the institute confronts four of the biggest misconceptions about autism. CID Vice President Steve Bundy tells says the first is the myth that causes and cures for autism are known by the medical community. However, he says more is being done to make this a thing of the past.

"There are lots of theories. Research is underway, in terms of what is causing autism to manifest in our children," Bundy tells KCBI News. But he explains this isn't a truth yet.

Another of the myths tackled is that all people with autism behave the same way.

"There be some similarities," he explains, "but we've got to keep in mind they are uniquely made by God and we need to treat them as unique individuals."

For all of the misunderstandings about autism, Bundy is confident the church can step in to provide support to families affected by autism to fully engage them in the body of Christ. The Christian Institute on Disabilities provides resources to support churches in this effort.

You can find information online here.