Common Myths about Autism Spectrum Disorders
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 American children have an Autism Spectrum Disorder – a prevalence that has increased 10x in the past 40 years! Scientists have been unable to establish a causal explanation for the steady rise in Autism Spectrum Disorders, but many have speculated as to various environmental influences (e.g., advanced parental age at time of conception, maternal illness during pregnancy, and certain difficulties during birth including oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain) that may contribute to a greater prevalence rate. Unfortunately, speculation has led to many misconceptions about Autism Spectrum Disorders. PBS recently broadcasted the documentary Neurotypical which explores Autism from the point-of-view of Autistic individuals themselves. The following is a list of common myths about Autism addressed in the documentary[1]:
Diagnosis
Myth: The appearance of autism is relatively new.
Autism was first described by scientist Leo Kranner in 1943, but the earliest description of a child now known to have had autism was written in 1799.
Myth: Autism is a mental health disorder.
Autism is a neurological disorder. Studies of the people with autism have revealed abnormalities in brain structure and neurotransmitter production.
Causes
Myth: Autism is caused by vaccines.
There is no evidence that childhood vaccination causes autism. A 1998 study linking autism with vaccines has since been retracted.
Myth: Autism is caused by poor parenting or “refrigerator mothers.”
In the 1950s, there was an assumption that autism was caused by emotionally distant parents. Though the exact cause of autism has not been determined, it is now firmly established that the development of autism has nothing to do with parenting style.
Behaviors
Myth: Individuals with autism are violent.
Though there have been recent news stories relating autism to violence, violent acts from autistic individuals usually arise from a reaction to sensory overload or emotional distress. As such, it is unusual for individuals with autism to instrumentally act out in a violent manner.
Myth: Individuals with autism are unable or unwilling to form meaningful social relationships.
Though many individuals with autism have difficulty with social interaction, they can have close social relationships, fall in love, and have children.
Myth: All individuals with autism have savant abilities.
While there is a higher prevalence of savant abilities among those with autism, only about 10 percent of individuals with autism exhibit savant abilities (e.g., prodigious capacities that far exceed what would be expected for an individual’s age/overall level of functioning).
Myth: All individuals with autism have mental disabilities.
Individuals on the autism spectrum are unique, with a wide range of intellectual abilities that easily can be under- or over-estimated. Individuals on the autism spectrum have earned college and graduate degrees and work in a variety of professions. Â However, it may be assumed that an individual with autism has a higher cognitive capacity than they do, based on a high-level of ability in a specific area.
Myth: People with autism are cold and lack empathetic feelings.
Individuals with autism feel as much, if not more, empathy as others, but they may express it in ways that are harder to recognize.
Treatment
Myth: Autism can be cured.
There is currently no cure for autism spectrum disorders.
Myth: Therapies and programs for individuals with autism work across the board.
There is a wide range of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism, as well as opinions on when treatment like Autism Behavioral Health Therapy is required. Since each individual is different, treatment options that may be beneficial and effective for one person may not be for another.