This informal CPD article, ‘Debunking Myths About Autism Spectrum Disorder: What We Must Stop Believing and Doing’, was provided by Yasmeen Alqallaf at Yasmeen Center, a Special Needs Training and Consultancy based in Kuwait.
Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how individuals experience the world, communicate, and interact socially. Despite significant scientific progress, public understanding of autism remains clouded by outdated myths and harmful misconceptions. These myths impact families, educators, healthcare providers, and autistic individuals themselves, often standing in the way of appropriate, respectful, and effective support.
Correcting these misunderstandings is essential—not just to improve services but to promote a neurodiversity-affirming society. As the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) emphasizes, “nothing about us without us” is the guiding principle of ethical autism work (1). This article draws from leading sources, including ASAN, the National Autistic Society, Steve Silberman’s NeuroTribes, and recent research on sex and gender differences in autism, to explore persistent myths and offer evidence-based guidance for moving forward.
Old Myths That Still Linger
Myth 1: Autism Is Caused by Bad Parenting
In the mid-20th century, the “refrigerator mother” theory claimed that autism was caused by cold, unloving parenting. This idea, since discredited, caused enormous harm to families, burdening parents - especially mothers - with guilt and shame. Research, including work summarized in Silberman's NeuroTribes (2015), indicates strongly that autism is a biological, neurodevelopmental condition influenced by genetic factors.
Despite the collapse of this theory, many families still encounter public judgment, particularly when their autistic child displays challenging behaviors in public. Shifting from blame to empathy is critical for creating supportive, inclusive environments.
Myth 2: Autistic People Do Not Want Social Connections
A widespread misconception is that autistic individuals prefer isolation or lack the desire for friendship. In fact, many autistic people deeply value connection, love, and belonging. However, as the National Autistic Society (2024) explains, differences in social communication - such as difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues or navigating social expectations - can make forming connections more challenging, not less desired.
Support strategies should focus on creating accessible, affirming social opportunities and helping others understand neurodivergent communication styles.
Myth 3: All Autistic People Are Either Nonverbal or Genius Savants
Media portrayals often paint a narrow picture: either an individual with extraordinary savant abilities or one who is completely nonverbal and dependent. But autism is a spectrum, and individuals’ abilities, challenges, and support needs vary widely (Silberman, 2015).
Oversimplified labels erase the rich diversity within the autistic community. As ASAN (2024) emphasizes, each autistic person deserves individualized, respectful support that recognizes their unique profile, rather than fitting them into reductive categories.
Professionals guide toward evidence-based interventions
Modern Misconceptions and Harmful Trends
Myth 4: Autism Can Be “Cured” with Diets or Unproven Treatments
Families today are often targeted with false promises - special diets, untested supplements, or even dangerous chemical treatments claiming to “cure” autism. Both ASAN and the National Autistic Society warn that autism is not an illness and cannot be cured (ASAN, 2024; National Autistic Society, 2024). Efforts should instead focus on supporting communication, emotional regulation, and quality of life, not eliminating autistic traits.
Professionals must guide families toward evidence-based interventions and away from exploitative or harmful claims.
Myth 5: There Is One Best Therapy for Autism
Historically, interventions for autism focused on shaping outward behaviors, often aiming to make individuals appear less autistic. While some therapies have helped develop specific skills, the modern neuroaffirmative approach emphasizes:
- Respecting the autistic person’s authentic identity.
- Prioritizing autonomy and meaningful choice.
- Supporting emotional well-being alongside skill development.
As ASAN (2024) advocates, no single therapy fits all; supports should be individualized, flexible, and aligned with the person’s goals and preferences.
Myth 6: Boys and Girls Experience Autism the Same Way
In the past, much autism research and many diagnostic tools were developed based primarily on observations of boys. As a result, many autistic girls and women go undiagnosed or are diagnosed much later in life. Recent studies, including work by Lai et al. (2015), highlight how autistic girls may mask their challenges more effectively, present different social profiles, or develop coping strategies that hide their differences.
Recognizing gender differences is critical to ensuring no child or adult is overlooked and everyone has access to timely, appropriate support.
Language and Practices to Rethink
Moving Beyond “High-Functioning” and “Low-Functioning” Labels
Terms like “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” oversimplify the realities of autistic lives. The National Autistic Society (2024) recommends using language focused on support needs rather than reductive labels. A person may have strong verbal skills but struggle with executive functioning; another may be nonspeaking but have rich inner worlds and intellectual depth.
Nuanced, respectful language is essential for accurately understanding and supporting autistic individuals.
Understanding the Impact of Masking
Masking refers to the effort to suppress autistic traits to appear more neurotypical. While masking can help individuals navigate social settings, research suggests it can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout (Silberman, 2015). Professionals, families, and educators should encourage environments where autistic people can be their authentic selves, rather than rewarding surface-level conformity.
Technology as a Supportive Tool, Not a Solution
Assistive technologies, communication apps, and visual supports can transform lives when thoughtfully integrated. However, as ASAN (2024) notes, technology should enhance human connection and participation, not replace or isolate. Families and practitioners should ensure that tech tools are used within a broader, relational framework of care.
Building a More Inclusive Future
To create a truly inclusive world for autistic individuals, we must:
- Listen to and amplify autistic voices.
- Embrace neurodiversity as a valued part of human variation.
- Provide flexible, individualized, evidence-based supports.
- Challenge myths and misconceptions whenever they arise.
By shifting from a “fixing” mindset to one of affirming and supporting, we can help autistic people not just survive but thrive.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Yasmeen Center, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
References
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). (2024). https://autisticadvocacy.org
- National Autistic Society. (2024). https://www.autism.org.uk
- Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity. Avery.
- Lai, M.-C., Lombardo, M. V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2015). Sex/gender differences and autism: Diagnostic challenges and the female autism phenotype. Current Opinion in Neurology, 28(2), 117–123.
