RAHWAY, N.J. , Aug.
26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite increased public awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), misinformation about the condition still persists, say some ASD providers. In a new editorial from MerckManuals.com , Stephen Brian Sulkes , MD, of Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , separates myths – from facts.
Myth #1: Only boys get autism ASD occurs in about 1 in 36 people in the United States , and it's four times more common among boys than girls. But girls can also have ASD, says Sulkes. Myth #2: All People with ASD have intellectual disabilities Intellectual disabilities and ASD are not the same, says Sulkes.
Intellectual disabilities are more common in individuals with ASD, but not everyone with ASD has an intellectual disability. Myth #3: Social awkwardness equals ASD The phrase "on the spectrum" has become shorthand for some in describing an individual who may be shy, socially awkward or intensely interested in certain topics. But that doesn't necessarily equal ASD, says Sulkes.
Pop culture can also portray autistic individuals as savants – including musical prodigies or math geniuses. But while some individuals with ASD may have unique skills, they don't possess superpowers, says Sulkes. At the same time, Myth #4: Only children have ASD ASD stays with a person throughout their life, and the impact of the condition may change as a person gets older.
This is one reason why an ASD diagnosis .