Tackling Autism Myths During Autism Awareness Month

Diagnosis rates for autism spectrum disorder are on the rise. Today, in the U.S. one in 31 people have autism, compared to only one in 59 in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As most of us know, autism presents challenges for social interaction, communication and behavior. But better diagnosis tools and awareness efforts have allowed mental health professionals and parents to more clearly identify the condition and symptoms. This has led to early interventions and those with autism leading more meaningful lives. You’ve probably even noticed children and adults with autism holding jobs and involved in social groups right in your own neighborhood. These are signs of progress we can all be proud of during Autism Awareness Month in April.

However, even with these improvements, some autism myths still stubbornly persist today.

Autism is typically diagnosed between the ages of two and six. There are some parents who remain in denial, Khurana said, and the reason for that may be a feeling of guilt or shame, thinking that parenting mistakes, even poor diet, may have a hand in their child’s diagnosis.

“We don’t believe that is true,” he said. “It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed and recognized at timelines that are unique for each person.”

Diet in and of itself can be a world of myths. Some argue gluten and dairy intake may predispose a fetus to autism. There are others who even go so far as to say removing them from the diet can cure autism. None of it is true. The only finding with regards to nutrition that is gaining some level of credibility is the potential impact of environmental and chemical pollutants on a child’s development in the womb.

“There are exposures to certain medications, heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and even pesticides. All of these can impact the fetus neurodevelopmentally and are linked to a higher incidence of autism,” Khurana added.

A retracted fraudulent study from Andrew Wakefield, published in 1998, linked the MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine to autism. Even with the retraction, today’s Measles outbreaks are stirring the myth up again, as well as the idea that other vaccines may cause autism as well, Khurana noted. “These are all myths. There is no evidence to believe that vaccination increases the rate of autism,” he clarified.

Some people incorrectly assume that a person is not “smart” if they have autism. Then, once you factor in some of the most common comorbidities, such as anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and ticks, in more complex autism cases incorrect assumptions about intellect may increase.

“An intellectual disability is a disturbance in neurocognition, which affects IQ; whereas autism is not a neurocognitive condition. It is neurodevelopmental,” Khurana said. “These are two entirely different categories. We now know some of the world’s smartest people have autism. Autism does not require low IQ; low IQ can, however, coexist with autism, but it is not required as part of an autism diagnosis.”