Myth: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an emotional problem.
Fact: ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication and social interaction as well as behaviors, interests, and activities.
Myth: Individuals can be affected by ASD or another disorder, but they cannot be affected by multiple disorders.
Fact: It is common for ASD to co-occur with other developmental, psychiatric, neurological, chromosomal, and/or genetic diagnoses.
Myth: ASD occurs more often in people with high incomes and higher levels of education.
Fact: ASD affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, social classes, lifestyles, and educational backgrounds equally.
Myth: ASD can be cured.
Fact: SD cannot be cured; however, there are many treatment options that enable individuals with ASD to compensate for areas of challenge.
Myth: Individuals with ASD do not become attached or show affection to others.
Fact: Individuals with ASD may demonstrate attachment or affectionate behaviors to parents and/or caregivers; however, such attachment or affection may be on the individual’s own terms or expressed in a manner that is different from what society would typically expect.
Myth: All children with ASD have savant abilities in specific areas.
Fact: Individuals with ASD often have individual strengths and weaknesses across academic and functional areas; however, few individuals with ASD have savant abilities.
Myth: The occurrence of ASD is equal between boys and girls.
Fact: ASD is more common in boys than girls with 1 in 54 boys being affected in comparison to 1 in 252 girls or approximately 5 boys to every 1 girl receiving an ASD diagnosis.
