The world in 2023 is more sensitized and aware about several issues than it was even 10 years ago, including science and health. However, even with the increasing awareness about health and developmental disorders, “autism” continues to remain misunderstood or less understood and usually creates a wrong picture in everyone's minds. Hence, every year 2nd April is globally observed as the ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ to take measures to increase awareness about autism and autistic individuals throughout the world.

In today’s health article we attempt to discuss what is Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and what are few very common myths associated with ASD.

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that is characterized by  compromised social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Due to these range of symptoms, this condition is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD can be diagnosed at any age, but generally the symptoms appear in the first two years of life and therefore, it is identified as a ‘developmental disorder’.

5 Myths And Facts About Autism

Myth 1: Autism is a disease and it can be cured.

Fact: Autism is not a disease and it cannot be cured with medicine. Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that may be caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors.You cannot catch it as a disease from someone else. Also, there is presently no treatment for autism. However, autistic people can learn to manage their symptoms and live independent, healthy, and productive lives with early behavioral intervention and therapy.

Myth 2: Autism affects only children.

Fact: Autism is not a childhood condition and it lasts lifelong. You cannot grow out of or cure autism. Autism is a ‘spectrum’ disorder and hence affects different people in different ways, and through different stages of life. With the right intervention and therapy tools, autistic adults, as well as autistic children, can develop social skills and communication abilities and lead a fulfilling life. 

Myth 3: Autistic individuals lack emotions and empathy. 

Fact: Autistic individuals are capable of feeling all emotions. However, they may not be able to communicate their emotions or interpret other people’s emotions, expressions, and body language due to their challenges with social and communication skills. This does not mean that they lack emotions or cannot express love. Autistic individuals can successfully form social relationships with the right behavioral intervention. 

Myth 4: Vaccines cause autism.

Fact: This may be one of the most popular myths about autism - that vaccines, and specifically the MMR vaccine (a vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella), cause autism. This myth is reportedly based on a dubious study in the 1990s, which has since been proven to be unscientific and unreliable. There is no scientific evidence that childhood vaccination causes autism. The safety of all vaccines is firmly established before administration. 

Myth 5: Autism is caused by bad parenting.

Fact: There is no single known cause for autism, and research suggests that there may be several environmental and genetic factors involved in autism, which does not include parenting style. This myth stems from a theory popular in the 1950s, called the “Refrigerator Mother Hypothesis”. It suggested that mothers who were emotionally neglectful or distant traumatized their children and caused autism. This theory has long been scientifically debunked.

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