Autism Frequently Asked Questions

No, vaccinations do not cause Autism. There have been many studies done to try to find a link and none have. Here is a good resource for you to learn more.

Yes, despite the stereotype, many autistic people experience empathy. Learn about the double empathy problem.

Autistic people can have very different sensory profiles. Many are extremely sensitive to sound and use noise-cancelling headphones to help block out too much sensory input. Otherwise they can get overstimulated which causes them stress and anxiety.

Yes, some autistic people have romantic relationships, fall in love, marry, and have children.

Functioning labels such as “high functioning” are sometimes used to identify someone’s communication methods and intellectual ability. These “functioning labels” are harmful to autistic people and have been used in the past to keep us from receiving services we need.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting about 1 in 54 children in the United States. It is more common in boys than girls, with a ratio of about 4:2. But this disparity might be due in part to diagnostic bias.

Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood, although it can be diagnosed at any age. To diagnose autism, a healthcare provider will consider a combination of factors, including a child’s developmental history, behavior, and any physical or medical conditions. The provider may also use standardized tests and observe the child in different settings to assess their social and communication skills. Adults in the U.S. are often given the ADOS-2 test during assessment.