- What is Autism?
- My Child Has Autism, What Do I Do Now?
Common Misconceptions
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Vaccines cause autism.
✅Correct
There is no scientifically proven link between vaccines and autism. Vaccines protect children from serious diseases.
Review the information note
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Autism is diagnosed only after the age of 3.
✅Correct
Autism symptoms can be noticed from the 6th to 12th month. While an autism diagnosis can be made upon noticing symptoms today, the most appropriate times for diagnosis can be 18 months and older.
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Autistic individuals are gifted/talented.
✅Correct
Each individual is affected by autism to varying degrees. Superior abilities can be observed in some individuals with autism, but this is rare; it is approximately in a 1:10 ratio.
Savant syndrome note
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Uninvolved parents cause autism.
✅Correct
Autism is present from birth; environmental variables after birth, such as parenting styles, do not cause autism.
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All autistic individuals look the same.
✅Correct
Autism is not a condition that affects physical appearance. Individuals with autism look like everyone else, and their physical appearances differ from one another.
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Individuals with autism cannot speak.
✅Correct
Otizmli bireylerin konuşma becerileri kişiden kişiye değişir. Bazıları hiç konuşamazken ya da konuşmayı tercih etmezken, bazıları akıcı şekilde konuşabilir. Araştırmalar otizmli bireylerin yaklaşık %33’ünün konuşma becerilerine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.
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Individuals with autism are similar to children with Down syndrome.
✅Correct
Autism and Down syndrome are distinct diagnoses. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, whereas Down syndrome is a chromosomal difference.
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The cause of autism is consanguineous marriage.
✅Correct
Although the exact cause of autism is not fully known, genetic and environmental factors play a role. Consanguineous marriage can cause various other disabilities, but it does not cause autism.
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Autism improves with medication.
✅Correct
The only effective method for autism is early and intensive special education. Medications do not treat the core symptoms of autism; however, they can be used as a support in managing concurrent conditions such as attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, or sleep problems.
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Autistic people are like “Rain Man”.
✅Correct
Each individual is affected by autism to varying degrees. The film “Rain Man” presents a story focused only on a specific aspect of autism and is not a general representation of autism.
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Autism is a bowel disease.
✅Correct
Autism is an innate neurodevelopmental difference. Digestive issues may occur in some individuals; this is considered not a cause of autism, but a health problem that accompanies it.
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It is caused by a cold parental attitude.
✅Correct
“The ”refrigerator mother" hypothesis was disproven many years ago. Autism is an innate neurodevelopmental difference, and parental attitudes do not cause autism.
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Autism is a disease and it can be cured.
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Autism is not a disease, but a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference. Significant progress can be seen with early intervention and proper education; this condition is not defined as a “cure.”.
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They do not feel pain.
✅Correct
Individuals with autism do feel pain; however, some may have high or low sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as pain and aches.
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Autism goes away with short-term training.
✅Correct
Autism requires long-term and intensive special education. The duration of education can vary depending on the individual's support needs and the degree to which they are affected by autism.
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They don't like hugging.
✅Correct
Some people like hugging, others may not prefer it. The important thing is to respect their boundaries and establish safe and supportive communication.
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If he/she is looking at spinning objects, especially the washing machine, he/she is autistic.
✅Correct
Repetitive behaviors can be seen as a developmental stage in many children. It is not sufficient on its own; diagnosis is made only through a multidirectional evaluation conducted by child and adolescent psychiatrists.
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Autism improves with diet.
✅Correct
There is no strong evidence that special diets are valid and effective for all children. The only treatment for autism is early and intensive special education. All kinds of special diets must be planned under the supervision of a pediatrician or dietitian.
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Autistic individuals do not live long lives.
✅Correct
Autism does not shorten an individual's lifespan. With appropriate support, a quality life is possible.
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Autistic children are aggressive.
✅Correct
Children with autism are not aggressive; they may react differently due to communication difficulties or sensory sensitivities. An understanding approach and professional support are the key.
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Autism is caused by trauma.
✅Correct
Autism is an innate neurodevelopmental difference. Postnatal environmental variables such as trauma do not cause autism.
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It happens because of working mothers.
✅Correct
Working mothers are not the cause of autism. Genetic and environmental factors are influential.
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Autism is contagious.
✅Correct
Autism is not contagious. It is a neurodevelopmental difference resulting from genetic and environmental factors.
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Individuals with autism have cognitive disabilities.
✅Correct
Some individuals with autism may have cognitive impairment; however, this is not the case for all individuals with autism. Each individual is affected by autism to a different degree.
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Television causes autism.
✅Correct
Autism is an innate neurodevelopmental difference. Screen time is not a direct cause of autism; prolonged exposure can increase the severity of symptoms in a child with autism.
❌Incorrect
All autistic people are hyperactive.
✅Correct
Otizm ile DEHB’nin birlikte görüldüğüne dair bulgular vardır; ancak her otizmli birey hiperaktif değildir. DEHB tanısı olanların yaklaşık %40’ında otizm tanısı da bulunabilir; genelleme yapılmamalıdır.
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Individuals with Asperger's are gifted.
✅Correct
Individuals diagnosed with Asperger's may have intense interests and knowledge in specific subjects; however, this does not mean they generally have a higher-than-normal intelligence quotient.
❌Incorrect
Autism is a personality trait, it runs in the family.
✅Correct
Autism arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors; it is not a “temperament,” but a neurodevelopmental difference.
