Myths about Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is widely misunderstood and there are many misconceptions that can contribute to stigma and misunderstanding. Here are some common misconceptions about autism and the reality behind them:

1. Myth: People with autism lack empathy

  • Reality: Many people with autism have empathy and are deeply affected by others’ emotions. While some people on the spectrum may struggle with interpreting nonverbal cues or understanding social nuances, this doesn’t mean they lack compassion. They express empathy in different ways and are capable of strong emotional connections.

2. Myth: Autism is caused by vaccines

  • Reality: There is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism. This misconception originated from a now-debunked study in the late 1990s. Extensive research has shown that vaccines do not cause autism and the study that sparked this myth was retracted in 2010. Despite this, the misinformation from the paper is still incorrectly quoted as fact to this day. 

3. Myth: Autism only affects children

  • Reality: Autism is a lifelong condition. While it’s often diagnosed in childhood, children with autism grow up to become adults with autism. Their challenges and strengths may evolve, but autism is not something that people outgrow.

4. Myth: All people with autism have intellectual disabilities

  • Reality: Autism is a spectrum, meaning it affects people in diverse ways. Some people with autism have intellectual disabilities, while others have above-average intelligence. Autism is not directly linked to intelligence; rather, it affects social, communication and behavioural skills in varying degrees.

5. Myth: People with autism don’t want friends

  • Reality: Many people with autism are interested in social relationships and friendships but may find social interactions challenging. They might struggle with initiating or maintaining social interactions, but that doesn’t mean neurodivergent people don’t desire connections and companionship.

6. Myth: Autism is a mental illness

  • Reality: Autism is a developmental condition, not a mental illness. It affects how people communicate, behave and perceive the world. Although some people with autism also experience mental health conditions (like anxiety or depression) autism itself is not a mental illness.

8. Myth: Bad parenting causes autism

  • Reality: Autism is not caused by parenting style or upbringing. Research indicates that autism has a genetic basis, although some environmental factors can play a role as well. The idea that cold or distant parenting causes autism (often referred to as the refrigerator mother theory) has been debunked and is an outdated, harmful stereotype which is false and highly stigmatising.

At HeadStart we understand the importance of providing information in accessible formats to meet the diverse needs of our service users. We can provide information in different forms for example in another language, large print, easy-read materials, and technologies such as text-to-speech or audio. To request information in another format, contact us by phone or email shanay.nj@headstartaba.org or mobile 07946498499.

Gareth Cobb