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There is a lot of information about autism out there, and not all of it is accurate. For parents learning more about autism after a diagnosis or while seeking answers about their child’s development, separating outdated assumptions from reliable information can be difficult.
Many common myths about autism come from an incomplete understanding of what autism looks like and how differently it can present from one person to another.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common misconceptions about autism, what current research tells us, and why a better understanding of autism matters for children and their families.
Myth 1: Autism Looks the Same in Every Child
There is no single way that autism looks. Autism is a spectrum, and each autistic child has their own combination of strengths, needs, preferences, and ways of communicating and interacting with the world.
One child may communicate verbally and need support with sensory regulation or social situations, while another may communicate differently and need more support with daily living skills. Support needs can also vary depending on the environment, situation, and stage of life.
The National Institute of Mental Health explains that autism is called a spectrum because autistic people have a wide range of characteristics, strengths, needs, and challenges.
This is also why autism support should be individualized. A diagnosis can help families understand certain characteristics and needs, but it does not tell you everything about who a child is or what they are capable of.
Myth 2: Autism Is a Childhood Condition You Outgrow
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. An autistic child grows into an autistic adult, although how autism presents and the support a person needs can change throughout their life.
Children may develop new communication, social, emotional regulation, or daily living skills as they grow. Some may also need less support in certain areas over time and more support in others.
Rather than focusing on whether a child will “outgrow” autism, it can be more helpful to focus on building their skills, independence, confidence, and quality of life.
Myth 3: Autistic Children Don’t Want Friends or Social Connection
Autistic children can want friendship and connection just as other children do. What may differ is how they communicate, interact with others, or experience social situations.
Some children may prefer one-on-one interactions to large groups. Others may have difficulty interpreting unspoken social expectations or knowing how to begin or maintain a conversation. Some simply connect with people in ways that look different from what others expect.
Research has found that autistic children can experience loneliness and may want more social connection. Difficulty navigating certain social situations should not automatically be interpreted as a lack of interest in other people.
Supporting a child socially means understanding what connection looks like for them rather than expecting every child to socialize in the same way.
Myth 4: If a Child Speaks Well, They Can’t Have Autism
Being highly verbal does not rule out autism.
Autism can affect communication in many different ways. Some autistic children are minimally verbal or non-speaking, while others have extensive vocabularies and communicate verbally with ease.
A child who speaks fluently may still experience differences in conversational communication, interpreting nonverbal cues, navigating social situations, sensory processing, flexibility, or other areas.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children with milder characteristics or average-to-above-average intelligence may not be identified as autistic until school age, when social and communication demands become more complex.
Verbal ability is only one part of a child’s overall development and should not be used on its own to determine whether a child may be autistic.
Myth 5: Autism Is Caused by Bad Parenting
Parenting style does not cause autism.
Decades ago, now-discredited theories incorrectly blamed parents, particularly mothers, for their children’s autism. We now know that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic component, although researchers continue to study the many biological and developmental factors that may contribute to autism.
Nothing about being too strict, too permissive, too affectionate, or not affectionate enough causes a child to become autistic.
Moving away from this misconception is important because blame does nothing to help children or families. Parents can instead focus on understanding their child and finding support that meets their individual needs.
Myth 6: ABA Therapy Is the Same for Every Child
ABA therapy should not be a one-size-fits-all program.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) uses principles of learning and behavior to help children develop skills that are meaningful to their daily lives. The specific goals of therapy should depend on the individual child.
For one child, that might mean developing functional communication skills. Another may work on daily routines, independence, emotional regulation, safety, or navigating social situations.
Modern ABA should also involve collaboration with families and regularly evaluate a child’s progress and changing needs. The goal should not be to make an autistic child appear less autistic. Instead, therapy should focus on skills that support the child’s independence, well-being, communication, and ability to participate more fully in everyday life.
Families considering ABA therapy should ask potential providers how goals are developed, how progress is measured, how parents are involved, and how the child’s individual needs and preferences are incorporated into treatment.
Finding Reliable Information About Autism
Parents shouldn’t have to sort through autism information alone.
When evaluating something you read or hear about autism, consider where the information comes from. Organizations such as the CDC, National Institute of Mental Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, and peer-reviewed medical journals can be useful places to start.
Be particularly cautious of information that promises a “cure,” blames parents for autism, treats every autistic child the same, or recommends an intervention without considering the individual child.
At Brighter Strides ABA, we believe autism support should begin with understanding the individual child. Our team develops personalized ABA therapy programs around each child’s strengths, needs, and goals. If you have questions about autism or ABA therapy, reach out to our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism Myths
Is Autism More Common in Boys?
Autism is identified more frequently in boys than girls. According to the latest CDC autism prevalence data, autism was more than three times as common among 8-year-old boys as among girls in the communities studied.
However, researchers and healthcare professionals have also recognized that autism may be identified differently in girls. A child’s sex should not be used to rule autism in or out when there are developmental concerns.
Can Autism Be Cured?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not an illness that needs to be “cured.” Autistic people can continue learning and developing skills throughout their lives, and appropriate services and supports can help with communication, independence, daily functioning, and quality of life.
Families should be cautious of products or treatments that claim to cure autism.
Is Autism Becoming More Common?
The number of children identified with autism has increased substantially over time. According to the latest CDC data, approximately 1 in 31 8-year-old children in the communities monitored by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network were identified with autism in 2022.
There is no single explanation for the increase in identified prevalence. Changes in awareness, screening, diagnostic practices, access to evaluations, and other factors can influence how frequently autism is identified.
“This is a helpful reminder of the importance of understanding each individual as a unique person rather than relying on stereotypes.”
-Katie Dahl
BCBA, CO RBT Development Coordinator
