What is a Myth.
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.
100
Autism is a mental health disorder.
What is a Misconception.
Autism is a neurological disorder. Studies of the people with autism have revealed abnormalities in brain structure and neurotransmitter levels.
100
Autism is caused by vaccines.
What is a Myth.
There is no evidence that childhood vaccination causes autism. A 1998 study linking autism with vaccines has since been retracted.
200
Autism is cause by poor parenting or "refrigerator mothers."
What is a Myth.
Though the exact cause of autism has not been determined, it is now firmly established that autism has nothing to do with parenting.
200
Individuals with Autism are unable to unwilling to form meaningful social relationships.
What is a Misconception.
Though many individuals with autism have difficulty with social interaction, they can have close social relationships, fall in love and have children.
200
All individuals with Autism have savant abilities.
What is a Misconception.
While there is a higher prevalence of savant abilities among those with autism, only about 10 percent of individuals with autism exhibit savant abilities.
300
People with autism are cold and lack empathetic feelings.
What is a Myth.
Individuals with autism feel as much, if not more, empathy than others, but they may express it in ways that are harder to recognize.
300
Autism can be cured.
What is a Myth.
There is currently no cure for autism spectrum disorders.
300
A child can stop being autistic if he/she just buckles down and tries harder to behave.
What is a Myth.
Autism is not a choice. However Recent research has shown that children with autism can make enough improvement after intensive early intervention to "test out" of the autism diagnosis. This is more evidence for the importance of addressing autism when the first signs appear.