Debunking Common ADHD & Autism Myths
A colorful variety of beautifully different brains.
Due in part to a boom in self-discovery & un-masking stemming from social isolation at the onset of the pandemic, the world at large has become more aware of neurodiversity in the past few years, with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in-particular receiving a huge increase in visibility, diagnoses, and, consequently, misunderstanding.
As a team of neurodivergent & neurodivergent-affirming therapists, we hope to use our platform to counter the rampant misinformation that still lingers around these neurotypes, perpetuating stigmas and hindering understanding.
Below, we shed light on some of the most common ADHD and Autism myths, replacing them with accurate information in hope of fostering a deeper understanding of these complex neurological conditions.
🧠 By challenging these myths, we hope to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals living with ADHD and autism. 🧠
Two giggling children in black & white.
Common Autism Myths
Autism Myth #1: Autism is caused by vaccines.
It’s been said before but it’s worth saying again: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that vaccines cause Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In fact, numerous large-scale, well-designed studies have consistently found no link between vaccines and autism, and a 2014 comprehensive review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) analyzed the available data and concluded that there is no relationship between vaccines and autism.
The theory that vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, might cause Autism was initially suggested in a small study published in 1998. However, the study was subsequently found to have significant methodological flaws and was later retracted by the journal that published it. The lead author, Andrew Wakefield, was also found to have acted unethically and was barred from practicing medicine in the United Kingdom.
In short, a wealth of scientific research has investigated potential links between vaccines and autism, but no credible evidence has been found to support this claim.
Autism Myth #2: People with Autism are “all alike.”
Autism is a condition as unique as the individuals who have it. No two people with Autism are alike. That’s why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treating Autism—and why the saying “if you meet one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism” is so popular.
Viewed through the medical model (read here about an alternative to the medical model), Autism is a disorder that must be diagnosed—meaning, a healthcare professional compares your behaviors to a list of generally agreed upon Autistic characteristics found in the DSM-5, including “persistent deficits in social communication/interaction” and “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.”
Some Autistic folks may appear to have milder symptoms, which could mean that they are better able to mask (i.e. “blend in” with neurotypical folk—often at the cost of exhaustion or Autistic burnout)., while others may present with more visible, “severe” Autistic characteristics, including being non-verbal and/or having frequent sensory meltdowns.
The Autism Spectrum is not linear, but instead refers to the many different Autistic characteristics (and combinations there of) that can exist across different areas. Common areas of difference can include social communication, social awareness, sensory processing, information processing, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive style.
The Autism Spectrum is Not Linear - @autism_sketches
Autism Myth #3: Autistic people lack empathy and emotion.
Finally, scientific research is catching up to the reported lived experience of actually Autistic people on this one. As a recent Rutgers article titled “Getting Autism Right,” reports:
Contrary to common perceptions and years of research that autistic people can’t describe their emotions or often have muted emotional responses, a Rutgers study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy concludes that many autistic adults are in fact acutely aware of their feelings and can label them in vivid, often colorful detail.
In fact, instead of Autistic people lacking in empathy or depth of emotion, both Autistic self-reports and recent research increasingly show the opposite to be true. Autistic people often experience emotions (including empathy) so deeply and intensely that it causes them to shut down due to overwhelm and can thusly override executive functioning access to language and other skills during times of intense stress.
Known scientifically as the “Intense World Theory,” this indicates that while this may be perceived from the outside as a lack of empathy or feeling, the internal Autistic experience of is often one of intense and overwhelming sensory hyper-reactivity due to overly strong perception, attention, and cognitive evaluation to external cues such as repetitive expressions—particularly negative expressions.
Autism Myth #4: Only boys can be Autistic.
There are a variety of reasons why women and people of color have historically been under-diagnosed with Autism (and ADHD) when compared to their white, male counterparts, despite the fact that anyone can be Autistic, regardless of gender, race, or age.
Reasons for this include:
Lack of diversity in research: Historically, research on Autism (and ADHD… and… basically everything) has disproportionately focused on white male populations, leading to gaps in knowledge about how these conditions present in women, people of color, and other minority groups.
Gender bias and stereotypes: Diagnostic criteria for Autism being historically based on studies predominantly conducted on white males means that biases are inherent in most existing diagnostic tools. As a result, symptoms in women, girls, and people of color may be easily overlooked and/or attributed to other conditions (i.e. depression or anxiety).
Cultural bias: Diagnostic tools and assessment methods often do not adequately account for cultural differences in communication styles, behaviors, and social norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis in people of color, as clinicians may misinterpret or overlook symptoms due to a lack of cultural understanding.
Socioeconomic factors: People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have reduced access to healthcare services, including mental health professionals, leading to fewer opportunities for diagnosis. Additionally, socioeconomic disparities can result in a lack of resources and information about Autism within these communities.
Clinician training: Inadequate training on cultural competence, gender differences, and the presentation of Autism in diverse populations can contribute to diagnostic discrepancies.
Autism Myth #5: Autism is a disease that should be “cured.”
Autism is not a disease. Autistic people are not “sick,” and Autism cannot be cured with medicine. In fact, the word “cured” should not even factor into the discussion. The goal of a cure is to “fix” something, and Autistic people don’t need to be fixed.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts how a person’s brain works. That’s it. Doctors and therapists can’t (and should never try to) stop someone from being Autistic or expressing their Autism, and a person can’t “get better” or “recover” from Autism.
Therapy can play a crucial role in helping Autistic folk achieve their goals by focusing on their unique strengths and teaching valuable skills. Through targeted support, Autistic people can also access increased self-acceptance and self-compassion while developing strategies to navigate a world that is primarily designed for non-autistic (or "allistic") individuals.
Autistic individuals are capable of leading independent, meaningful, healthy, and productive lives. By actually listening to Autistic people about what they want and need and providing the necessary tools and accommodations to help amplify their voices, we can empower Autistic folk to contribute their unique perspectives and abilities to society so that everyone benefits.
A small child smiling and running through sprinkler spray in the sun.
Common ADHD Myths
ADHD Myth #1: People with ADHD are lazy or unmotivated.
Alternately referred to as “ADHD paralysis,” “ADHD overwhelm,” or “ADHD shutdown,” people with ADHD may at times appear “lazy” or “unmotivated” from the outside, when what they are actually experiencing internally is a tidal wave of thoughts, emotions, choices, and/or sensory input from their environment that throws their system into a freeze response where they can’t think or function effectively.
There are 3 main types of ADHD paralysis:
Mental Paralysis: ADHD mental paralysis occurs when a person is overwhelmed with thoughts, emotions, and information, or experiences sensory overload. It feels like a “brain crash,” which can cause the person to struggle with processing information and organizing their thoughts. This makes it difficult to figure out what to do or say next.
Choice Paralysis: Also known as “analysis paralysis” or “decision paralysis,” ADHD choice paralysis happens when someone is faced with too many choices and has to make a decision. This type of paralysis usually boils down to the fear of failure or making a wrong decision, and can affect even relatively small, everyday activities, like choosing where or what to eat for dinner.
Task Paralysis: ADHD task paralysis occurs when a person with ADHD feels hesitant, scared, or unmotivated to begin a task. This is especially true if the project is new or complex and involves multiple steps and instructions. In other cases, the ADHDer might feel understimulated when tackling a boring or repetitive task, resulting in a lack of motivation. Due to these reasons, ADHDers may procrastinate or avoid such tasks as much as possible by doing other activities or zoning out.
Instead of passing judgement on yourself (or someone else) if you or they experience this, it can be more helpful to understand which type of ADHD paralysis is being experienced. This can help you figure out the root cause of the paralysis and so find the best solution to “unfreeze” yourself more quickly.
ADHD Myth #2: ADHD symptoms are typical during childhood and will naturally resolve over time.
All ADHD symptoms are commonly seen in most children, but symptoms for kids with ADHD are more severe and problematic in multiple areas of the child's life & will most likely continue to persist, in one form or another, into adulthood.
While experts—and many parents—used to think that ADHD only lasted through the teenage years and into adulthood about half the time, recent research suggests that ADHD may be more persistent than previously believed.
Newer studies indicate that key ADHD behaviors like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can continue beyond early childhood, even if they present differently as individuals age.
For instance, external hyperactivity might lessen, but inattention and impulsivity may still be present. Adults with ADHD commonly struggle with budgeting & meal planning, & may experience a phenomena known as "time blindness" (or they may be chronically early in attempt to mask this trait).
ADHD Myth #3: Executive functioning issues related to ADHD are purely intellectual.
Being diagnosed with ADHD at any age does NOT correlate with or indicate lower intelligence. At the same time, “being smart” does not negate or erase the very real impacts of ADHD.
ADHD is not a disorder of ability but a disorder of performance, and there is often a huge difference between IQ & performance. No one has a deficit of attention—the problem for ADHDers is budgeting and allocating that attention.
Beyond this, sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity are two highly important and often under-looked symptoms of ADHD that can contribute to distraction, fidgeting, and impulsive outbursts or meltdowns. Kids with ADHD may appear highly sensitive and overly reactive, and continued challenges with emotional sensitivity and self-regulation can manifest in adults as rejection sensitivity.
Recent research further highlights the important role of emotions in ADHD, showing that is is difficult for ADHDers to arouse and sustain motivation for activities that don't give immediate and continuing positive reinforcement and/or evoke continuous emotional excitement.
These currently less recognized symptoms of emotional and sensory dysregulation in ADHD call for further investigation and understanding to help better support the fuller spectrum of ADHD experience.
ADHD Myth #4: ADHD symptoms are primarily due to a “chemical imbalance” in the brain.
ADHD is not caused by an overall excess or deficiency of a particular brain chemical. Instead, the main issue lies in how certain brain chemicals are produced, released, and reabsorbed at the connections between specific brain cells, called neurons. These connections, known as synapses, play a crucial role in the brain's management system. People with ADHD often have trouble releasing the right amount of these chemicals and/or releasing and reabsorbing them too quickly.
In the last few years, many researchers have also begun looking at a neurotransmitter called dopamine as a possible contributor to ADHD. Dopamine allows us to regulate emotional responses and take action to achieve specific rewards. It’s responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. Some researchers believe that the neurons in the brains and nervous systems of people with unmedicated ADHD have higher concentrations of proteins called dopamine transporters, resulting in a lowering of dopamine levels in the brain overall.
In addition to this, ADHD brains have been shown to have more occipital activity (imagination, visual processing) and less prefrontal activity (planning, prioritizing, inhibiting) than non-ADHD brains.
Overall, ADHD is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition that involves a complex interplay of various brain areas and neurotransmitters. While chemical differences play a role, it's important to recognize that ADHD cannot be solely attributed to a simple "chemical imbalance."
ADHD Myth #5: ADHD medications are over prescribed and will lead to future substance abuse.
The proportion of ADHD patients with a stimulant prescription has stayed between 61 and 64% since 2013, down from a high of 68% in 2011. Research further shows that individuals with ADHD who go untreated (unmedicated) are actually at a higher risk for substance abuse due to self-medication attempts, impulsivity, and/or co-occurring mental health conditions, whereas individuals with ADHD who are properly treated with stimulant medication have a lower risk of developing problems with alcohol and other drugs than the general population.
Medications for ADHD work by helping to regulate the neurotransmitter releasing and reabsorbing process detailed above, making it smoother and more consistent, which in turn can help manage ADHD symptoms more effectively.
Multiple studies and clinical trials have shown that ADHD medications can provide a variety of benefits for both children and adults, including:
Improving working memory, classroom behavior, motivation to execute tasks, and persistence in solving problems
Minimizing boredom, distractability when doing tasks, and emotional outbursts
Increasing test performance, rates of graduation, and other achievements that can have lasting positive impacts
According to a study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, it is estimated that only around 20% of people with ADHD have been diagnosed globally, indicating a significant underdiagnosis of the condition worldwide. Add this to the reality that only 61-64% of those who have been diagnosed are prescribed medication, coupled with the ongoing ADHD medication shortage that stretches back to 2022, and it’s clear to see that under-diagnosis and under-treatment are much bigger and more damaging issues for folk with ADHD than “overprescription.”
A group of four, with their backs to the camera and arms around each other, looking out at the horizon.
Common Shared Myths
Shared Myth #1: Autism & ADHD are completely separate disorders that require different treatments.
Research has demonstrated that many individuals with ADHD have significant traits related to autism spectrum disorders, and that many diagnosed with disorders on the spectrum also meet criteria for ADHD.
Studies have also shown that ADHD medications can be helpful in alleviating ADHD and ASD symptoms.
Shared Myth #2: ADHD & Autism are overdiagnosed.
As stated above, only an estimated 20% of all ADHDers are aware they have the disorder. Similarly, while self-identification and awareness of one's own autism may seem straightforward, there are certain challenges that can hinder this process. These challenges include masking and camouflaging, as well as late diagnosis and awareness.
ADHD & Autism are both traditionally underdiagnosed, especially in girls and children of color. Minorities often feel more pressure to mask or hide their symptoms for self-protection & may display as “overachievers” due to cognitive hyperactivity. For all neurodivergent folk, masking can become deeply engrained & unconscious when it frequently doesn't feel safe to be authentic, making it harder to identify the need for a diagnosis and connect folk with the supports that they need.
Shared Myth #3: ADHD & Autism are only a problem in the US.
Numerous studies indicate that the prevalence of ADHD and Autism worldwide is comparable to the rates observed within the United States.
The 10 countries with the highest Autism rates are, in order: the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japen, the United States, the Netherlands, Ireland, Brunei, Canada, Singapore, and Andorra.
The 10 countries with the highest ADHD rates are, in order: Haiti, Belize, Guyana, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Suriname, Grenada, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Shared Myth #4: Medications can “cure” ADHD or Autism.
There are no medications that can cure the core symptoms of ADHD or Autism.
However, medication management is a core part of ongoing ADHD treatment, and, in both cases, there are medications that may be prescribed to help manage specific symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or aggression.
Shared Myth #5: If you don’t get diagnosed with ADHD or Autism in childhood, you can’t get diagnosed at all.
To be diagnosed with ADHD or Autism, multiple symptoms need to have been present before the age of 12; however, although ADHD and Autism are traditionally thought to be typically diagnosed in childhood due to the presence of developmental delays or difficulties, it is now more possible than ever before to receive a diagnosis later in life.
Many adults discover they have ADHD or Autism after seeking help for ongoing challenges with attention, social interaction, and/or other related symptoms. Adults with ADHD or Autism who were not diagnosed or treated in childhood often experience dual diagnoses (i.e. ADHD & depression, or & substance abuse, or & anxiety, etc).
While late diagnosis can present challenges (such as chronic stress and low self-esteem), proper diagnosis and treatment can be beneficial at any age and can improve an individual's quality of life, even if they were not diagnosed during childhood.
If you’re curious about whether you might be neurodivergent—due to ADHD, Autism, or something else—reach out today and one of our trained and qualified clinicians can help provide you with the support you’ve been looking for!
