By Mary Jane Weiss,  Ph.D., BCBA-D, Professor of Education and Director of Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis Program, Endicott College

The causes and treatments for autism are subjects that fuel a lot of misperception. Maybe this is because the condition so variable and still poorly understood and treatment has evolved more quickly than widely recognized. It can be difficult to know what is real and accurate in this sea of misinformation.  Here are some common myths, exposed for their inaccuracies.

Myth #1: Vaccines cause autism. 
This is one of the most persistent myths about autism. From a scientific perspective, this claim has been proven to be based on false data.  What’s more, there are public health consequences resulting from lowered rates of vaccine administration, making this a truly dangerous myth.  Why does it persist?  Parents often notice first signs of autism in their children at about 18 month of age, the same age that many shots are administered. When they receive an autism diagnosis, they want explanations.  At such a vulnerable time, vaccines can make a convenient culprit.  While causes for increased autism diagnoses may one day be revealed, vaccines will not be one of them.

Myth # 2: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment for autism will turn children into robotic responders.
This myth is based on the false idea that ABA is about teaching memorized and rote responses. This myth is likely to have emerged because, in the early days of ABA intervention for autism (1960’s and 1970’s), when the science was new, little was known about how to teach naturalistically.  Today, the application of ABA treatment is vastly different, and incorporates preferences, fun, and diversity into learning.  There is now a tremendous focus on helping people with autism transfer skills into the natural environment and real world settings. To learn more about what ABA therapy is and isn’t, visit our recent blog post, or our program web site.

Myth #3: ABA is only used to teach simple skills to nonverbal children, or young children.
ABA made its first major impact with young learners, and is sometimes thought to have been developed for them.  Similarly, it might be seen as relevant only for those who are the most severely impacted by autism, and it may be overlooked as having relevance for individuals who are vocal communicators or who can be served in mainstream educational settings.  In reality, ABA helps all individuals on the spectrum.  ABA is applied on an individual level, so the goals and strategies used are tailored to each individual, at every age. ABA is even highly relevant for adults on the spectrum, as it can lead to skill development in areas such as independence, job-relevant  skills, and functional daily living skills.

Other good resources on Autism and on ABA include:
The Institute for Behavioral Studies at Van Loan School, Endicott College
ASAT (Association for Science in Autism Treatment)
CCBS (Cambridge Center for the Behavioral Sciences)
OAR (Organization for Autism Research)