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Recently, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been the focus of much conversation and confusion. With so much information and misinformation available, it's important to separate fact from fiction. In this "Ask the Professor" feature, we share some of the most common myths and misconceptions about autism and what current research tells us.
Autism is preventable: Myth
Autism is now recognized as a form of . The term neurodiversity recognizes that not everyone's brain functions in the same way, and those who identify as neurodivergent simply perceive the world and process information differently than those termed neurotypical. Neurodiversity can encompass a number of conditions, not just autism. It can also be used to describe conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities and executive functioning disorders.
These conditions do not develop as the result of parental actions, environmental factors or any other factor that can be avoided. On the contrary, researchers believe that neurodiversity results from a complex interaction of genetic factors. Most importantly, research has demonstrated . The original study that identified vaccines as a contributor to autism was published by Andrew Wakefield in 1998. That study has been retracted due to numerous ethical violations, lack of controlled conditions, and highly speculative interpretations in the results.
Autism is a growing epidemic: Misconception
There has been much attention on the prevalence of autism. It is true that in the last twenty years, the rate of autism occurrence has changed, from one in 150 children in 2000 to one in 36 by 2020. However, this does not mean there is more autism (Zeidan et al., 2022).
Researchers have indicated a number of factors contribute to this change. First, there were previously several separate conditions, such as Asperger's Syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder, that children could receive as a diagnosis under criteria set in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). When the DSM was revised in 2013, the four previous separate conditions were all categorized together as an autism spectrum disorder, recognizing that these are all related conditions, varying in needs for support from one individual to another. This impacted the prevalence rate, as now all individuals with related conditions are diagnosed with autism.
Additionally, clinicians have gotten better at identifying autism, especially in previously overlooked populations, such as girls, children of color or children from lower socioeconomic homes with parents who have achieved a lower level of education. Finally, more adults, especially women, are recognizing as adults that they have had autism all their lives and have been "masking" their symptoms. Masking is when individuals suppress or conceal the characteristics associated with autism in order to appear neurotypical. Those who engage in masking often describe it as anxiety-producing and requiring a great deal of concentration, as they often try to have scripted responses ready in social settings, or they will mirror the speaking patterns and facial expressions of those around them (Evans et al., 2022).
Autism can be cured: Myth
Autism is a lifelong condition and is not something that one "grows out" of. What can happen is that as individuals age and have more experience in educational and social settings, they learn more skills that allow them to engage successfully in their surroundings. Some of this change may be attributed to them learning how to mask in certain settings. Still, therapy and interventions can also allow individuals to learn appropriate skills and even language when it may have been previously limited. Even with the acquisition of these skills, autism is still present.
People with autism cannot lead independent or meaningful lives: Misconception
This may be the most hurtful misconception held regarding autism. It is true that some individuals with autism will have higher levels of support needs than others. They may not be able to live independently as adults. However, this does not hold true for all individuals with autism.
People with autism work in every field at every level and make meaningful contributions. However, even those who need more support from family or caregivers are living their full lives. They are loved members of their families and communities, and to view them as otherwise is ableism. Ableism is viewing those with disabilities as different and of lesser value than those without disabilities. It is a social construct based on what is considered "normal," and it leads to sweeping generalizations that simply are not true.
These are only a few of the myths and misconceptions that exist around autism, but they are the ones that are most prevalent. It is important to recognize what autism is and is not so we can have a better understanding of those around us and recognize the value they bring to society. Recognizing that human characteristics vary along a continuum and respecting those differences in others can result in better understanding and acceptance of others.
About the professors
Shanon Taylor, Ed.D., is the department chair of Educator Preparation and a professor of Special Education in the College of Education & Human Development. Her major areas of research interest are policy issues related to the provision of special education services in private schools and teacher education in special education. Within the field of special education, she focuses on behavior management, emotional/behavior disorders and autism.
Lindsay Diamond, Ph.D., is the associate dean of Research and Graduate Programs and an associate professor of Special Education in the College of Education & Human Development. Her major areas of research involve the availability of quality early childhood and special education services for young children, interdisciplinary training programs, instructional approaches to teaching problem solving, both in-school and out-of-school support for families and children, and disability awareness among first responders and medical providers.
