That Ain’t True: 8 Myths About Autism

What do you know about this developmental disorder?

April Is National Autism Awareness Month - While autism affects 1 in 68 children, too many of us don’t really don’t know what it is. On top of that, there is a lot of misinformation out there. So for National Autism Awareness Month, watch us debunk some of the biggest myths about this developmental disorder. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: KidStock/Blend Images/Corbis)

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April Is National Autism Awareness Month - While autism affects 1 in 68 children, too many of us don’t really don’t know what it is. On top of that, there is a lot of misinformation out there. So for National Autism Awareness Month, watch us debunk some of the biggest myths about this developmental disorder. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: KidStock/Blend Images/Corbis)

Myth: Black and Latino Kids Don’t Get Autism - Fact: While the media’s face of autism may be white, kids of color are most definitely impacted by this disorder and impacted in different ways. Black kids are more likely to be diagnosed late and their symptoms tend to be more severe than white children, to a name a few differences.  (Photo: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

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Myth: Black and Latino Kids Don’t Get Autism - Fact: While the media’s face of autism may be white, kids of color are most definitely impacted by this disorder and impacted in different ways. Black kids are more likely to be diagnosed late and their symptoms tend to be more severe than white children, to a name a few differences.  (Photo: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

 Myth: Vaccines Cause Autism - Fact: Vaccines do not cause or increase the risk of a child having autism. Thanks to a falsified study, this myth continues to stay persistent in the minds of parents in the U.S. Getting your babies and children vaccinated is a way to protect them from diseases such as measles and mumps.  (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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 Myth: Vaccines Cause Autism - Fact: Vaccines do not cause or increase the risk of a child having autism. Thanks to a falsified study, this myth continues to stay persistent in the minds of parents in the U.S. Getting your babies and children vaccinated is a way to protect them from diseases such as measles and mumps.  (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Myth: If My Child Had Autism, I Would Know  - Fact: Here’s the thing, sometimes parents don’t want to know or don’t know the signs. This is one reason why Black kids tend to be diagnosed late with autism at 8 years old compared to 6 years old for white children. A 2012 study found that you get a reliable diagnosis from 18-24 months. Do you know the signs?(Photo: Strauss/Curtis/Corbis)

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Myth: If My Child Had Autism, I Would Know  - Fact: Here’s the thing, sometimes parents don’t want to know or don’t know the signs. This is one reason why Black kids tend to be diagnosed late with autism at 8 years old compared to 6 years old for white children. A 2012 study found that you get a reliable diagnosis from 18-24 months. Do you know the signs?(Photo: Strauss/Curtis/Corbis)

Myth: Once Your Kid Is Diagnosed, There’s Nothing You Can Do - Fact: Autism isn’t curable, but early intervention can make a huge difference. Early interventions can help improve a child’s development, speech and ability to interact with others. The key is to not give up hope. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Myth: Once Your Kid Is Diagnosed, There’s Nothing You Can Do - Fact: Autism isn’t curable, but early intervention can make a huge difference. Early interventions can help improve a child’s development, speech and ability to interact with others. The key is to not give up hope. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Myth: Autism Is a Mental Illness - Fact: Autism is not a behavioral, emotional or mental health disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a range of brain-related developmental disorders that impairs one’s ability to socialize with others and speak. It also can cause someone to engage in unusual and bizarre repetitive behavior. (Photo: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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Myth: Autism Is a Mental Illness - Fact: Autism is not a behavioral, emotional or mental health disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a range of brain-related developmental disorders that impairs one’s ability to socialize with others and speak. It also can cause someone to engage in unusual and bizarre repetitive behavior. (Photo: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

If I Know the Signs, My Child Will Be Automatically Diagnosed - Fact: A 2011 study found that even when Black parents did mention autism to their child’s doctor, they are more likely to be ignored. So be persistent. Do not let your doctor talk you out of getting your child screened. The earlier the intervention, the better.  (Photo: Benjamin A. Peterson/Mother Image/mother image/Corbis)

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If I Know the Signs, My Child Will Be Automatically Diagnosed - Fact: A 2011 study found that even when Black parents did mention autism to their child’s doctor, they are more likely to be ignored. So be persistent. Do not let your doctor talk you out of getting your child screened. The earlier the intervention, the better.  (Photo: Benjamin A. Peterson/Mother Image/mother image/Corbis)

Myth: People With Autism Are More Violent - Fact: Yes, though Adam Lanza, the young man behind the Sandy Hook massacre, was on the spectrum, it’s important to point out that autism and Asperger's are not linked to higher rates of violence, says a growing body of scientific evidence. (Photo: Randy Faris/Corbis)

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Myth: People With Autism Are More Violent - Fact: Yes, though Adam Lanza, the young man behind the Sandy Hook massacre, was on the spectrum, it’s important to point out that autism and Asperger's are not linked to higher rates of violence, says a growing body of scientific evidence. (Photo: Randy Faris/Corbis)

Myth: If You Are on the Spectrum, You Can Never Talk or Function - Fact: While there are some children with autism that cannot speak or communicate verbally, there are many other adults and children who can. People on the spectrum can suffer from a milder form, such as Asperger’s.

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Myth: If You Are on the Spectrum, You Can Never Talk or Function - Fact: While there are some children with autism that cannot speak or communicate verbally, there are many other adults and children who can. People on the spectrum can suffer from a milder form, such as Asperger’s.