New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated a rising prevalence of autism in the United States, with 1 in 59 children (1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls) identified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In Memphis, Dr. Lawrence Reiter’s work in the Department of Neurology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center involves using Drosophila (fruit fly) and human biospecimens (dental pulp stem cells) to understand the molecular mechanisms, such as gene expression and protein changes, associated with ASD.
According to Reiter, although we are still far from understanding all of the causes of ASD, recent studies have thoroughly debunked some of the most common myths related to the condition. He encourages parents and caregivers of children with ASD to consider these scientifically rigorous studies while they do their own research online.
Myth 1: Autism is caused by thimerosal-containing vaccines
The CDC has funded or conducted a total of nine studies since 2003 concerning a potential link between vaccines and ASD in children, including thimerosal-containing vaccines, as well as the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. All nine studies found no link.
“Without a doubt, the number-one most damaging myth about autism is that it is caused by something in the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine,” says Reiter. “Part of the reason for this is that the onset of symptoms for autism is only obvious in children after about age 3. That is exactly when these kids also start getting vaccinated so they can eventually attend kindergarten.”
Reiter says that in addition to the multiple studies disproving this link, thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines, yet the incidence of ASD continues to rise. “Unlike emotional arguments,” he says, “there is no pro and con to this. There is only data proving thimerosal is not associated with ASD, and that not vaccinating your child will harm other children by exposing your child and others to dangerous viruses like polio, measles, and other diseases, which have been decreasing in prevalence for the past 50 years but are now on the rise again due to misinformation to parents.”
Myth 2: ASD is a single type of behavior
“Perhaps the number-one problem with the ASD label is that it is thought to be a single type of behavior,” says Reiter. “In fact, the name itself implies a spectrum of behavior.”
He notes that no two children with ASD will be exactly alike, even if they are identical twins. The commonality shared by children with ASD is often repetitive actions and social communication issues, such as not being able to read a person's mood or know when you are bothering someone.
Reiter also points out that some individuals with ASD can communicate quite well but are rigid in their insistence on sameness. On the other hand, some children don't speak at all, while still others find it difficult to empathize. The scope of personality differences ranges, just as it does with children without ASD.
Myth 3: ASD is mental retardation or intellectual disability
“It is important to realize that ASD is not mental retardation or intellectual disability,” says Reiter. As mentioned earlier, some individuals with ASD can be very intelligent but feel trapped by their repetitive behaviors. Changing the stigma associated with the abilities or limitations of those with ASD is an important step in reversing this myth.
The good news is — this is happening. “Recently I saw an episode of 60 Minutes about companies who are adjusting their hiring practices, and even their interview process, to attract more autistic individuals,” Reiter says. “They feel that [people with ASD] often contribute to problem-solving in ways that their other employees do not.” •
A Middle Tennessee native, Tonya Thompson now lives in Southaven, Mississippi with her three kids and their crazy pets.