Busting Myths About Autism: Separating Fact from Fiction in 2025
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a hot topic these days which highlights just how misunderstood it is, and how certain myths continue to cause confusion in the media. These misconceptions can create stigma, hinder inclusion, and lead to misinformation about what autism really is. Here are some of the most common myths about autism that we at Oak Heath Foundation have noticed, and the truths that dispel them.
Myth #1: Autism is caused by vaccines
Truth: This myth has been widely debunked. The vaccine-autism myth can be traced back to a single, now-discredited study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield in The Lancet. In this paper, Wakefield suggested a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism. The study was small, with just 12 children, and was filled with ethical violations, undisclosed financial conflicts of interest, and manipulated data. In 2010, The Lancet fully retracted the paper, and Wakefield lost his medical license. Multiple investigations concluded that the study was fraudulent.
Despite this, the idea took root: amplified by sensationalist media coverage, celebrity endorsements, and fear around childhood development. Once a health myth enters the public consciousness, it can be hard to dispel, even with overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Since Wakefield’s paper, dozens of large-scale studies involving hundreds of thousands of children around the world have looked for any possible link between vaccines and autism. Every single one has come to the same conclusion: there is no credible scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism. A 20191 study in Denmark, for example, tracked over 650,000 children and found no increased risk of autism after vaccination.
Myth #2: All autistic people are alike
Truth: This myth that all autistic people behave or think the same way is often reinforced by media portrayals and public stereotypes. Popular characters like Rain Man, or more recently, rigidly defined “genius” types on TV shows, tend to depict autism in a narrow, one-dimensional way — usually as a socially awkward, mathematically gifted white man who speaks in a monotone voice and avoids eye contact.
However the reality is, Autism is a spectrum condition — meaning it encompasses a wide range of characteristics and abilities.
Support needs: Some may need full-time assistance in daily living; others may live independently, hold jobs, and raise families.
Communication: Some autistic people are non-verbal or use alternative forms of communication (like AAC devices), while others are highly verbal and articulate. They may have challenges with interpreting non-verbal cues that can affect social interactions along with difficulty with back-and-forth conversations.
Sensory processing: Some may be hypersensitive to sound, light, or touch, while others may seek intense sensory input. This can manifest as heightened sensitivity (hypersensitivity) or reduced sensitivity (hyposensitivity) to stimuli.
Social interaction: Autistic individuals might struggle with or approach social situations differently — but many want connection and community, even if their social expressions differ from neurotypical norms. They may have difficulty initiating social interactions, struggle to share emotions or to establish and maintain reciprocal relationships.
Cognitive abilities: Intelligence levels vary widely. Some autistic people have intellectual disabilities; others are gifted or excel in specific areas.
Support needs: Some may need full-time assistance in daily living; others may live independently, hold jobs, and raise families.
Myth 3: Autism is a childhood condition that people “grow out of”
Truth: Autism is lifelong. This myth is partly rooted in how autism is commonly discussed — especially in media, education, and early intervention programs. When most people hear about autism, it’s in the context of children: young boys receiving diagnoses, early therapy, school accommodations, or parenting stories. Organizations and fundraising campaigns also tend to focus heavily on autistic children, unintentionally reinforcing the idea that autism is something you “deal with” in childhood.
Additionally, there’s a long-standing tendency in society to medicalize and “treat” autism, leading some to assume that with the right therapy, a child might simply grow out of being autistic — like outgrowing a developmental delay or a phase. But that’s not how autism works.
Myth 4: Autistic people don’t feel emotions or empathy
Truth: This stereotype likely stems from the fact that some autistic individuals express emotions and empathy differently from neurotypical people. They may not make eye contact, mirror facial expressions, or respond in expected social ways — which can be wrongly interpreted as coldness or emotional detachment.
Autistic people absolutely feel emotions — often very deeply. Many are highly empathetic, sometimes to the point of emotional overwhelm, especially when witnessing suffering in others. What’s often different is how they process or express those emotions.
Some may struggle with identifying or articulating their own feelings (a trait known as alexithymia), or may not know how to respond in socially “typical” ways — but that doesn’t mean the feelings aren’t there.
In fact, studies have shown that autistic people may experience empathic distress more intensely than neurotypicals, especially when they see others in pain or discomfort.
Myth 5: Autism is a result of bad parenting
Truth: This harmful myth dates back to the 1940s and 50s, when early psychoanalytic theories blamed emotionally distant parents — particularly mothers — for autism. The so-called “refrigerator mother” theory2, coined by psychiatrist Leo Kanner and later promoted by Bruno Bettelheim, suggested that a lack of maternal warmth caused autism.
This theory has been completely debunked. Autism is not caused by parenting — period. It is a neurodevelopmental condition with strong genetic foundations. While environment (such as prenatal development and early brain growth) may influence how autism presents, parenting style does not cause autism.
In fact, autistic traits often run in families, indicating that autism has a strong hereditary component.
Myth 6: Autistic people are all intellectually disabled or all geniuses
Truth: Autistic people, like everyone else, display a wide range of intellectual abilities. Media portrayals often swing to extremes — either showing autistic individuals with severe impairments, or as savants with extraordinary talents (think Rain Man or TV characters who solve complex math equations instantly). These extreme portrayals fail to represent the vast majority of autistic people.
In reality, some do have intellectual disabilities, while others have average or above-average intelligence. A small percentage — about 10% — may show “savant” skills, such as exceptional memory or musical talent, but this is not the norm.
Importantly, someone’s ability to speak, perform in school, or engage socially does not necessarily reflect their cognitive ability. Non-speaking or minimally verbal autistic individuals may have significant insight and intelligence that is simply expressed differently.
Why dispelling these myths matter
These myths don’t just misrepresent facts. Real understanding begins when we listen to autistic voices, embrace communication in all forms, and recognize the full humanity and individuality and strengths of every person on the spectrum.
As Christians, we are called to not judge according to appearances. Every person, regardless of their abilities or differences, is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and has inherent worth and dignity. Autism is not something to be feared or misunderstood; rather, it is part of the beautiful diversity of creation. Jesus demonstrated unconditional love to everyone;and as followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. By rejecting harmful myths about autism, we can show Christ’s compassion, support, and acceptance to those with autism and their families. Embracing neurodiversity is an opportunity to celebrate God’s creativity, recognizing that all of His children are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), each with unique gifts to offer His Kingdom.
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- Richard Harris, “A Large Study Provides More Evidence That MMR Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism,” NPR, 4 Mar. 2019, https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/04/699997613/a-large-study-provides-more-evidence-that-mmr-vaccines-dont-cause-autism ↩︎
- Sean Cohmer, “Refrigerator Mothers – A Discredited Cause of Autism,” Autism Help, 19 Aug. 2014, https://www.autism-help.org/points-refrigerator-mothers.htm. ↩︎
