Autism Facts and Myths

myths

Here are a few facts and myths about Autism:

There is a lot of information available online about autism. Some of it is factual. Some of it is a myth. Some of it is true for some individuals but not for others.  Some information may even be nuanced through opinion and personal preference.

As is commonly said in neurodivergent communities, “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” (Dr. Stephen Shore)

Alternatively, for those who prefer identity-first language, “If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”

Autism Empowerment hopes that the truth about your personal journey will become clearer when you are empowered to separate myths from facts and encouraged to enrich yourself with learning and connection opportunities with others in autism and autistic communities.

Autism Facts & Stats

  • Autism is a brain-based pervasive developmental disability.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on data from 2022, estimates autism’s prevalence for 8-year-old children in the United States to be 1 in 31 (3.2%).
  • It has been estimated that the prevalence rate in the adult or general population is about 2%-3%.
  • Autism occurs among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
  • About 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009–2017. These included ASD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), blindness, and cerebral palsy, among others.
  • Autism is over 3 times more common among boys than among girls.

  • Although that fact comes from the CDC survey, anecdotal evidence among autistic adults, particularly women, indicate that girls are less likely to be identified or diagnosed with autism in their youth and that the prevalence rate for autism occurring is actually higher.

  • Referrals for diagnosis for girls are closer to 10 to 1, although this is improving through advocacy! 
  • Among children identified with autism who had IQ scores available, over one-third (39.6%) also had intellectual disability.
  • While there is no medical detection or known cure for autism, many children have shown significant improvement resulting from early diagnosis and use of effective interventions.

mythdebunked

Autism Myths

  • Autism is a result of bad parenting or refrigerator moms.
  • Individuals with autism have no sense of humor.
  • Autistic people have no empathy or lack feelings.
  • Individuals with autism do not want to communicate.
  • All individuals on the autism spectrum who are nonverbal are intellectually disabled.
  • Most autistic people are autistic savants like Dustin Hoffman’s character in the movie Rain Man.

Autism Truths

  • Autistic youth and adults on the Autism Spectrum are not defined by their diagnosis; however being autistic is part of their neurology and is not separate from their person.
  • Autism is a spectrum difference and affects each person differently. Symptoms and needs can range from mild to severe in various areas and may change over time.
  • Autism affects all social, ethnic, and economic classes worldwide, but not all boys and girls in each culture are referred for diagnosis at the same ratio.
  • Some individuals with autism prefer being called Autistic. Some prefer Neurodivergent. Some prefer “person with autism.” Respect individual preferences.
  • Individuals on the autism spectrum have feelings, show emotion, and do have a sense of humor.
  • There is no known cause of autism, although most clinicians and scientists agree that genetics plays a part.
  • There are a variety of treatments and therapies that may help improve symptoms or challenges of autism; however, not every treatment works for every person. 
  • Individuals on the autism spectrum may need awareness if it positively identifies their needs and gets them the needed support, but they especially need Acceptance, respect, and acknowledgement of their gifts and strengths.

References

Health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not represent endorsement by or an official position of Autism Empowerment. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.