7 Myths on Autism and The Facts Behind Them

When you think of someone with autism, what comes to mind? Is it some socially awkward individual who cannot perform basic tasks? Is it someone who speaks funny?

I grew up believing that people with autism would always be stern, even bordering on rude. Or they don’t really feel things emotionally like the rest, I thought. It took me years to realise that I was wrong, but when I did, I was mortified.

I channelled my inner Indiana Jones and dived into the rabbit hole of autism. But then, the question that evaded me was the very question that the world is still trying to figure out:

What Exactly Is Autism?

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person’s brain functions. It impacts how they communicate, behave, interact with others, and process information.

A lot of our perception regarding autism is often shaped by movies or TV shows like The Good Doctor (2017), unless we personally know someone who has been diagnosed with autism.

We tend to typecast autistic people either in a bad light or as a savant. But that’s not how the world works, right? So, it is extremely important to get your facts straight.

Fact: Autism isn’t a disease. According to research, it's primarily an incurable genetic condition, but it can be affected by certain environmental factors as well. The signs might show up when you’re a child, or sometimes they don’t become obvious until later on.

What’s important to understand is that autism is about different brain structures and neural pathways that affect how someone processes information and interacts with the world.

It’s not an illness to be cured, but rather a part of who a person is. Instead of focusing on a cure, we should be focussed on understanding autism better and supporting individuals in ways that help them thrive.

Fact: A myth as old as time but completely debunked by years of research.

There’s no evidence to support the connection between vaccines and autism. That’s because vaccines don’t alter our genetic makeup in any way, so they can’t cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Fact: Autism itself isn’t spreading; rather, an increased awareness has led to more diagnosis around the globe.

In the past, we didn’t have clear diagnostic criteria or knowledge of how autism presents itself, so many cases were overlooked or misdiagnosed.

According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ASD diagnosis has increased 450% among people between 26 and 34. This underlines the fact that it was the lack of awareness behind the low number of people in the ASD spectrum in the past.

And did you know that until 2013, autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) couldn’t even be diagnosed together?

That all changed when the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) was updated in 2013. It put other diagnoses, including Asperger’s syndrome, autism, childhood disintegration disorder and pervasive developmental disorder, under the umbrella diagnosis of ASD.

So, it's not that autism is on the rise—it's that we're now better at identifying it.

Fact: This myth plays into the stereotype that autistic people don’t experience emotions or lack empathy, but that’s simply not true.

Every individual on the autism spectrum is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. While some people with autism might find it harder to pick up on social cues or navigate social interactions, that doesn’t mean they don’t feel deeply or care about others.

They have emotions just like anyone else—it's just that expressing or understanding them might look a little different.

Fact: While it’s true that some people with autism may have exceptional talents like in art, music, or memory, the idea that all autistic individuals are geniuses or savants is a huge misconception.

Aah, the idiot savant. Hollywood’s favourite trope. It’s a stereotype that Hollywood loves to portray—think Rain Man (1988)—but that doesn’t reflect the reality for most people on the autism spectrum.

In fact, savant abilities are pretty rare in individuals, whether they are on the spectrum or not.

So, if someone has a special talent, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re autistic. Let’s move beyond these outdated myths and focus on supporting autistic individuals to reach their full potential!

Fact: Research shows that autism is influenced by a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors—not parenting.

The idea that bad parenting leads to autism is outdated and completely false. Parents and caregivers play a key role in supporting and caring for autistic individuals.

The truth is, we still don’t know exactly what causes autism, but ongoing research continues to explore the biological and environmental factors involved. So, let’s stop blaming parents and focus on what really matters - understanding and support.

Fact: Autism is a lifelong condition, and it isn’t something that can be “cured” because it’s not a disease. It’s part of who someone is.

That doesn’t mean people with autism don’t benefit from support, though! Many autistic individuals may need extra help in certain areas, and therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy can make a difference in developing skills and improving quality of life.

But the key thing to remember is that autism isn’t something that needs to be "fixed"—it’s about finding ways to support each person’s unique needs and strengths.

The autism spectrum is called a "spectrum" for a reason—every autistic person is unique. They might have different sensory needs, face various social challenges, and have a unique range of interests and skills.

It’s also important to remember that autism is largely considered an invisible disability. That means it’s not always obvious to others. Plus, factors like race, gender, sexuality, and class can impact how autism is recognised or diagnosed, which means some groups might be under-identified or overlooked.

By embracing and celebrating the diversity within the autism spectrum, we can better support and uplift autistic people in our families and communities. Everyone deserves to be seen, understood, and valued for who they are.

Q: Can adults be diagnosed with ASD?

A. Yes, adults can be diagnosed with ASD. The process usually involves looking at the person’s medical history, observing their behavior, and using psychological tests.

However, diagnosing an adult can be trickier because we might not have as much information about their early development, and sometimes, other diagnoses can make it more complicated to identify ASD.

However, with the right tools and a thorough evaluation, adults can receive a diagnosis and get the support they need.

Q. Do people with autism not like other people? Can they make friends?

A. It’s not that people with autism don’t like others—it’s that they can find it difficult to interact and make friends because of challenges with communication. Many want to connect, but they may not always know how.

For example, they might struggle to share their interests or express excitement about something that happened. While some may seem aloof or withdrawn, others may simply be passive, comfortable with people nearby but not approaching them.

Some individuals may actively enjoy socialising, though their interactions might seem a bit unusual. Like everyone else, people with autism experience a range of emotions and want to connect, but the way they do so can be different.

Q. Can an autistic child ever live an independent life?

A. The ability to live independently depends on the individual, as autism is a spectrum, and everyone has different strengths and challenges. With early, focused, and appropriate intervention, all children with autism can learn and make progress.

Some may go on to live relatively independent lives, while others may need varying levels of support in different areas. The key is tailoring support to each child’s unique needs.

Q. Why does my child keep playing with his fingers/ rocking himself back and forth/ spinning around, etc?

A. These behaviors are often related to sensory processing differences. People with autism can experience sensory dysfunction, meaning they may have trouble processing all the information coming from their senses. This can lead to hypersensitivity (over-sensitivity), hyposensitivity (under-sensitivity), or a mix of both. To cope with this, some children engage in self-stimulatory behaviors like finger movements, rocking, or spinning, which help them relax and manage sensory overload.

It's their way of making sense of the world around them.

Q. What is the difference between autism and Asperger's syndrome?

A. The main difference lies in the severity of symptoms and cognitive ability. Children with Asperger’s often have average or above-average intelligence, but they struggle with understanding social cues like irony or humor.

They may have a hard time with conversation, often focusing on one topic for a long time without noticing if others are interested. For example, a child with Asperger's might give long monologues about their favorite topic without realising that others are getting frustrated or bored.

While both Asperger’s and autism involve social challenges, Asperger's is typically characterised by fewer language delays and higher cognitive functioning.

Q. Are there treatments available for autism?

A. There’s no “cure” for autism, but there are treatments that can help. Since every child with autism has a unique mix of strengths and challenges, treatment plans need to be personalised. These plans often focus on areas like speech, social skills, and cognitive development to support each child’s specific needs and abilities.