Skip to main content

Unique and Totally Interesting

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

Autism is a childhood condition that always seems to be surrounded by a cloud of myths and misconceptions.

Myths such as it is caused by vaccination, bad parenting, or a poor diet. Misconceptions that children with autism can’t learn, don’t want to make friends, or don’t feel emotions. Not one of those is true.

Nowadays, autism is referred to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which recognizes the fact that there is not just one type of autism, but rather a broad range of conditions characterized by difficulty with social interaction and communication coupled with restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. Asperger Syndrome is also now diagnosed as ASD.

Indicators of ASD typically begin around the age of 2 or 3, although some children can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Boys are four times more likely to be affected as girls. Since criteria for diagnosing ASD were expanded in 2013, more and more kids are now being diagnosed with the disorder. But that is not a bad thing, as research has shown early intervention leads to more positive outcomes later in life.

No two people with ASD are alike. Each person has their own distinct set of strengths and challenges. Some are very high functioning and require little support to live independently. Others need assistance and supervision on a day-to-day basis.

Interventions and treatment no longer focus on trying to make children with ASD appear as “normal” as possible. Rather the emphasis is on trying to understand them as individuals; working with their strengths and interests to try and give them the best chance in life, in addition to supporting them with their challenges.

April is Autism Awareness Month. If you are not already familiar with ASD, educate yourself about it and volunteer or attend a local event. Spend some time with someone with ASD and get to know their world, and make sure anything you post or share on social media about ASD adds value and doesn’t perpetuate stereotypes. And if you have ASD, share your story to spread awareness. AUTISM: Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Sometimes Mysterious.

For more information about ASD, see here.

Posted April 2019

Read this next

Study Finds No Link Between Vaccine Aluminum and Health Problems

TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 — A new study of more than 1.2 million people found no link between aluminum in childhood vaccines and long-term health problems, including autism...

CDC Pulls Vaccine Slide After Expert Cites Study Doesn’t Exist

THURSDAY, June 26, 2025 — A presentation scheduled for a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine meeting today claimed that a vaccine preservative...

Genetic Tests For Autism, Intellectual Disability Not Being Done On Medicaid Kids

MONDAY, June 23, 2025 — Few poor children with autism or intellectual disability are receiving recommended genetic testing, even though guidelines urge such tests, a new...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.