MYTH #1
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disease or mental illness.1
Fact: ASD is a difference in brain functioning that differs from the “norm,” which can present challenges in everyday life.1
MYTH #2
All people with ASD are intellectually impaired, or not as smart as their peers.2
Fact: There are two things to unpack here. Firstly, it is wrong to lump all people with ASD into one category, and make assumptions/generalizations about all of them.1 Secondly, ASD is not a direct indicator of intelligence. While some children with ASD may be intellectually impaired, not all of them are.2
MYTH #3
ASD is an epidemic – the number of people with ASD is increasing more than it should and needs to be controlled.1
Fact: ASD diagnoses are increasing mainly due to changes in how and when it is diagnosed. The criteria of ASD diagnoses has changed, and now includes more areas. Additionally, more services are becoming available to diagnose ASD, and parents are taking their children to get tested more.1
MYTH #4
ASD can be cured, or grown out of.1
Fact: ASD is a lifelong diagnosis. There is no medication or intervention to get rid of ASD, and it doesn’t go away with age. However, children can receive intervention and support in order to meet specific goals – such as understanding social cues. The earlier the intervention and support (before the age of 5), the easier it may be to meet these goals.1
MYTH #5
ASD is caused by vaccines, or bad parenting.1
Fact: Neither of these are proven to be true. These myths are sponsored by research and information.
For more information:
Resources
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 29). Debunking 8 autism myths and misconceptions. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/autism-myths-and-misconceptions
- ICDL Home of DIRFloortime® (Floortime). (n.d.). Autism myths and facts.
https://www.icdl.com/parents/about-autism/autism-myths-facts
November 12, 2025 – Jorja Mederick