Common Autism Myths: 14 Misconceptions About Autism Debunked
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Jul 22, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 19
You’ve probably heard someone say, "Everyone’s a little autistic," or that vaccines cause autism.
These statements couldn’t be further from the truth, yet they continue to shape how society perceives and treats autistic people.
In recent years, access to extensive information, research, and first-hand experiences shared by autistic voices has significantly expanded our collective understanding of autism.
We now know that approximately 1 in 127 people globally and 1 in 50 Canadians are autistic. Still, more than 80% of autistic adults remain undiagnosed.
Despite growing awareness, many myths continue to create misunderstanding and barriers to appropriate support, including access to autism-affirming coaching or neurodiversity-affirming therapy.
At Blue Sky Learning, our team of neurodivergent-affirming therapists and coaches is committed to challenging these misconceptions and promoting understanding.
Read on to explore 14 common myths about autism, and the facts that replace them, to help foster greater acceptance, inclusion, and respect for autistic individuals in every space.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference and form of neurodivergence characterized by differences in how autistic individuals communicate, learn, and interact with the world.
It is part of the broader neurodivergence spectrum, encompassing diverse ways of thinking and experiencing life.
Want to learn more? Watch: “What Is the Autism Spectrum”
Common Autism Myths Debunked
While our understanding, research, and definition of autism have improved over the years, there is still work to be done to debunk the myths.
Here are some of the common misconceptions about autism, and what’s actually true.
Autism is a mental illness.
Autism is caused by vaccines.
Autism has become an epidemic.
Autistic people can be cured.
Bad parenting causes autism.
Autistic people are more violent than the general population.
Autistic individuals are all savants.
Autistic individuals are antisocial.
Only boys can be autistic.
Autism is new.
Autism is only diagnosed in childhood.
Autism is caused solely by environmental factors.
Autistic people can’t stand to be touched.
Autism is a learning disability.
Myth: Only Boys Can Be Autistic.
Some research indicates that boys are diagnosed as autistic four times more often than girls, which may lead to the misconception that only boys can be autistic.
However, anyone, regardless of gender, can be autistic.
Historically, research focused on white, cisgender, straight males, leading to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed girls. Girls are more likely to mask their autism to fit into society, which can further complicate diagnoses.
There is a growing consensus that professionals should apply different diagnostic criteria for girls.
Myth: Autism is Caused by Vaccines.
The myth linking autism to vaccines originated from a discredited study by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in the 1990s.
He falsely claimed that MMR vaccines lead to a series of health issues that result in the development of autism.
This study was retracted due to its failure to meet scientific standards, and Dr. Wakefield ultimately lost his medical license.
Myth: Autism Has Become an Epidemic.
You may have heard that autism is on the rise, leading some to believe it has become an epidemic.
However, the increase in diagnoses over the past few decades is largely due to improved understanding, awareness, and acceptance of autism, not a sudden surge in new cases.
Consider the history of left-handedness. Decades ago, being left-handed was treated as a “pathological behavioral disorder.” Children were forced to write with their right hand, and society viewed left-handedness as unusual or problematic. Fast-forward to today, and left-handedness is recognized as a natural variation and something that has always existed.
Autism follows a similar pattern. Historically, many individuals who appeared socially awkward were not diagnosed as autistic. Early studies primarily focused on white, cisgender boys, making them more likely to receive a diagnosis and care.
For this reason, today, much like the shift in how we view left-handedness, many autistic adults, especially women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other marginalized groups, are being diagnosed as adults, despite having been autistic all along. The rise in reported cases reflects recognition and acceptance, not an epidemic.
Myth: Autism Is a Mental Illness.
It’s more complicated than this. Autism does not qualify as a mental health condition.
Instead, it’s a neurodevelopmental difference that alters how the brain functions. Key brain areas related to learning, memory, emotional regulation, impulse control, and other functions may exhibit structural or functional differences.
Moreover, while autism is not a mental illness, it often co-occurs with mental health conditions like:
For instance, some research suggests that around 40% of autistic children and 50% of autistic adults experience an anxiety disorder.
Want to learn more? Watch: “Autism & Poor Mental Health: The Difference”
Treatment for those with co-occurring mental health conditions should address the neurodevelopmental aspects of autism.
Myth: Autism Can Be Cured or Grown Out Of.
Many experts agree that autism is not something to be fixed or cured. There is currently no known cure for autism, nor is one likely to be discovered.
Instead, autism represents a neurodivergence or a different way of experiencing the world based on variations in how the brain is wired.
Moreover, many autistic individuals embrace their autism as a core part of their identity. Research indicates that 87% of autistic individuals prefer identity-first language, expressing their identity as “I am autistic.”
Consequently, experts and the autistic community regard autism as a difference rather than a disease that requires a cure or something one can outgrow.
Myth: Bad parenting causes autism.
This myth arises from a theory called the "refrigerator mother" theory, which emerged in the 1950s.
This outdated notion suggested that emotionally distinct or neglectful mothers traumatized their children so much that it caused them to develop autism.
Despite the debunking of this myth, this myth has caused significant distress for both parents and the autistic community.
Modern understanding acknowledges that autism stems from differences in brain development.
While the exact cause of autism remains unclear, parenting is not a contributing factor. Anyone can be autistic, regardless of where their parents fall on the parenting spectrum.
Myth: Autistic people are More Violent Than the General Population.
Media portrayals of autism can perpetuate the harmful myth that autistic individuals are violent. This stigma hinders many autistic individuals from obtaining the support and accommodations they need.
In reality, aggression can result from sensory overload or emotional distress, which are experiences that can affect anyone.
Even though sensory overload and emotional distress may be more common among autistic individuals, they do not act violently out of malice nor pose an increased threat to society. There is no conclusive evidence that autistic people are more likely to be violent than allistic (non-autistic) individuals.
In fact, autistic people are more likely to be victims of violence than the general population.
Myth: Autistic Individuals Are All Savants.
Savant syndrome describes a condition in which individuals possess exceptional cognitive abilities, such as extraordinary memory or mathematical skills.
Autistic individuals are generally depicted in many popular movies and TV shows as having savant syndrome.
These media representations, notably in films like Rain Man and shows like The Big Bang Theory, may lead to the misconception that all autistic individuals are savants.
It's worth noting that many autistic individuals display deep interests in specific topics, which may cause others to confuse these special interests with savant abilities.
While those with special interests often develop exceptional knowledge in a particular area, sometimes to the exclusion of other topics, it differs from savant skills that reflect extraordinary cognitive abilities.
Myth: Autistic Individuals Are All Antisocial.
This myth arises from societal norms about communication and interaction (neuronormativity).
People assume that autistic individuals should navigate the world like allistic people do.
However, autistic people have their own unique ways of engaging with the world. Furthermore, since autism exists on a spectrum, each autistic individual faces distinct challenges.
Some may indeed struggle with social interactions, including body language, eye contact, and emotional cues. Others may not experience such difficulties.
Discover more about how the functioning labels are outdated by watching "The Autism Spectrum Isn’t What You Think It Is"
Regardless of their specific challenges, autistic individuals, like many other people, desire connection. They may prefer discreet forms of communication, such as text or email, rather than verbal communication.
Recognizing that a different communication style doesn't equate to antisocial behaviour is essential.
Myth: Autism Is New.
The CDC estimates that 1 in 31 children in the United States is autistic today. This increase may lead some to mistakenly believe autism is a new diagnosis.
In reality, the increased understanding of autism has enabled more people to get diagnosed as autistic.
In addition, scientist Leo Kranner described autism in 1943, and the earliest description of an autistic child was developed in 1799. There is also no reason to conclude that autism didn’t exist long before these dates.
Historically, many individuals regarded as "different" might have been autistic, though technology was insufficient to identify them.
History of Autism Timeline
Kanner Syndrome (1943)
The first detailed description of what is now called autism was published by Leo Kanner in 1943. He described a pattern of behaviours he termed “early infantile autism.” He believed it to be rare. Over 20 years later, Victor Lotter conducted the first epidemiological study in Middlesex, England, reporting a prevalence of approximately 4.5 per 10,000 children.
The Triad of Impairments (1979)
In 1979, Lorna Wing and Judith Gould studied children with special needs in London. They confirmed a similar prevalence of “Kanner autism” in children with lower IQs but also identified a larger group of children who showed difficulties in social interaction, communication, imagination, and exhibited repetitive behaviours. This “triad of impairments” became a key concept in understanding autism, and these children were recognized as being on the broader autism spectrum. Overall, they estimated around 20 per 10,000 children had some form of autism. Other studies in Sweden and different countries produced similar results, with prevalence ranging from 3.3 to 60 per 10,000, reflecting differences in definitions and identification methods.
Asperger Syndrome (1993–1995)
Hans Asperger first described children in Vienna who showed many similarities to Kanner autism but with average or above-average language and cognitive abilities. Later studies, including those by Stephan Ehlers and Christopher Gillberg in Gothenburg, identified Asperger syndrome in mainstream schools, calculating a prevalence of 36 per 10,000, with another 35 per 10,000 showing social difficulties that likely placed them on the spectrum.
Sula Wolff in Edinburgh studied children of average or high ability who had social difficulties but did not fit the traditional triad of impairments. These children, at the subtler end of the spectrum, often grew up to live independent lives, with some demonstrating exceptional talents. Wolff emphasized that recognizing and supporting these individuals is crucial, just as it is for those with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.
Autism Spectrum Studies (2005–2006)
By 2005, surveys in Great Britain reported an overall prevalence of 0.9% (or 90 per 10,000) for autism in children. A 2006 study by Gillian Baird and colleagues, which screened children aged 9–10 years for social and communication difficulties, found 38.9 per 10,000 with childhood autism and 77.2 per 10,000 with other autism spectrum conditions, totaling 116 per 10,000. This study highlighted that prevalence estimates are influenced by diagnostic criteria and the selection methods used.
Autistic Adults (2007)
The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England first included autism in 2007, estimating that 1% of adults were autistic. Subsequent studies, including those led by Professor Terry Brugha, adjusted for adults in care settings and with complex needs, finding roughly 1.1% of the adult population to be autistic.
Recent Global Studies (2008–2012)
Data from the USA, Sweden, and South Korea show variability in autism prevalence, reflecting differences in study methods, awareness, and access to services. For example, the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network in the US found a rate of 1 in 88 for eight-year-olds, while the National Center for Health Statistics reported 1 in 50 for children aged 6–17. In Stockholm, prevalence was 11.5 per 1,000, and in South Korea, 2.64% of children were on the spectrum, with many previously undiagnosed.
Comparisons across countries suggest that the increase in autism diagnoses over time is largely due to broadened diagnostic criteria, greater professional awareness, and improved services, not an actual “epidemic” of autism.
Myth: Autism is only diagnosed in Childhood.
Autism is not confined to childhood and does not simply disappear with age.
While many individuals receive a diagnosis in childhood, autism is chronic, and many adults are diagnosed later in life. This is especially true for women and AFAB individuals who often have their traits missed in childhood.
We require additional research to better understand the unique challenges and supports necessary for autistic adults.
Myth: Autism Is Caused Solely by Environmental Factors.
Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of autism. Current understanding suggests that autism likely results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Parents with one autistic child are statistically more likely to have another. Additionally, identical twins have a higher likelihood of both being autistic compared to fraternal twins.
Once diagnosed, environmental factors may also influence the severity of traits.
Myth: Autistic people can’t stand to Be Touched.
While you may have encountered an autistic individual who dislikes being touched, this preference varies widely across the spectrum.
No two autistic people are identical. Even if one autistic person doesn’t like being touched, some autistic people may desire physical affection, such as hugs and other forms of touch.
Tip for allies: Always ask before initiating physical touch. Consent is key.
Myth: Autism Is a Learning Disability
While autism is not a learning disability, it encompasses traits that can impact learning.
These traits may involve differences in brain areas linked to learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, and impulse control.
Continue Learning About Autism.
Now that you've explored 14 myths related to autism, we encourage you to continue learning from autistic individuals themselves.
Please consider sharing this post with others; the more people understand autism, the better society will be.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
At Blue Sky Learning, the team embodies compassion, empathy, and a person-centered approach to care.
Are you autistic and seeking coaching or therapy?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with a Blue Sky Learning team member by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.
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