As awareness of autism continues to grow, so does public curiosity about this complex condition. Brits frequently search for more information about autism online, reflecting a widespread desire to understand more about autism, its causes, symptoms, and available support. 

Mark Blakey, a writer for Autism Parenting Magazine, provides valuable insights into some of the most common questions people in the United Kingdom ask.

What Do Brits Want To Know About Autism?

Rank	Questions	Volume
1	What causes autism?	6400
2	What are the 3 main symptoms of autism?	2600
3	How to get tested for autism?	1200
4	What is a child with autism entitled to in the UK?	800
5	How is autism diagnosed?	800

Answers To These Common Autism-Related Questions

Here are the five questions frequently asked by people curious about autism, along with insightful answers provided by Mark:

1.   What Causes Autism?

Autism is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers have identified several genes associated with the disorder, but specific environmental factors also play a crucial role. There is no single cause but rather a complex interplay of factors contributing to the development of autism.

2.   What Are The Three Main Symptoms Of Autism?

Mark states, ‘The three primary symptoms of autism include difficulties with social interaction, challenges in verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviours or narrow, obsessive interests.’ These symptoms vary widely across individuals, however, which is why autism is referred to as a spectrum. 

3.   How To Get Tested For Autism?

Getting tested for autism involves a comprehensive evaluation by a team of specialists, which may include developmental paediatricians, neurologists, and child psychologists. The evaluation typically includes parental interviews, observation, and direct interaction with the child or adult suspected of having autism.

4.   What Is A Child With Autism Entitled To In The UK?

Mark says, ‘In the UK, children with autism are entitled to tailored support under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system. This can include individualized education plans, speech and language therapy therapies, and access to special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) at schools.

5.   How Is Autism Diagnosed?

Autism is diagnosed through behavioural assessments and developmental screenings. There are no medical tests for autism; specialists assess the individual’s behaviour and development. ‘Diagnosis often involves multiple observations over time to understand the individual’s social interactions, communication skills, and behaviours,’ notes Mark.

The Importance Of Raising Awareness

Raising awareness about autism is vital for fostering understanding and support within communities. Mark emphasizes the need to dispel myths and provide accurate information, which can aid in reducing stigma and promoting inclusion.

‘Understanding autism not only helps those directly affected but also enlightens the wider community, leading to more supportive environments where individuals on the spectrum can thrive,’ says Mark.

The curiosity surrounding autism in the UK highlights the need for ongoing education and advocacy. By answering common questions and discussing autism openly, we can help ensure that autistic individuals receive the respect, support, and opportunities they deserve. Mark says, ‘This increased awareness can also empower parents, educators, and policymakers to make informed decisions that benefit individuals with autism and their families.’

In today’s society, misconceptions about autism often lead to stigma and misunderstanding. By debunking these misconceptions, more inclusive and supportive environments can be created for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. It’s time to challenge these stereotypes and work towards a society that embraces diversity and celebrates the unique strengths of every individual.

Mark Blakey, a writer for Autism Parenting Magazine, debunks six common stereotypes about people on the autism spectrum.

Stereotype #1: Autistic Individuals Lack Empathy 

This common misconception fails to acknowledge the complex emotional experiences of people on the autism spectrum. While it’s true that some autistic individuals may struggle with understanding or expressing their emotions in traditional ways, this does not equate to a lack of empathy. 

Mark says, ‘In fact, many autistic individuals experience empathy deeply and intensely, often displaying it in unique and authentic ways. By dispelling this stereotype and recognizing the diverse ways empathy is experienced and expressed, we can foster greater empathy and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum.’

Stereotype #2: Autistic People All Have Severe Intellectual Disabilities

The idea that all autistic individuals possess severe intellectual disabilities is an oversimplification that disregards the spectrum’s true diversity. While some may face cognitive challenges, many autistic people exhibit average or above-average intelligence. It’s crucial to recognize that intelligence is not synonymous with autism, and each person on the spectrum has unique abilities. 

Stereotype #3: People With Autism Are Aggressive

Mark explains, ‘Although some autistic individuals may experience difficulties with communication and sensory processing, leading to moments of distress or frustration, this does not cause inherent aggression. In reality, research indicates that autistic individuals are more likely to be vulnerable to aggression themselves rather than being aggressive toward others.’ 

Stereotype #4: Autistic Individuals Can’t Have Relationships

Research shows that while some autistic individuals may face challenges in social interaction and communication, many are fully capable of forming deep and meaningful relationships. These relationships can take various forms, including friendships, romantic partnerships, and familial bonds, and they play a vital role in the well-being and fulfilment of individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Stereotype #5: Autism Is Caused By Bad Parenting

This faulty belief overlooks the overwhelming scientific consensus that autism is primarily influenced by genetic and neurological factors. Mark says, ‘By attributing autism to parenting, this stereotype unfairly stigmatises families and undermines the complex and multifaceted nature of autism spectrum disorders. It’s crucial to challenge this stereotype and promote accurate information about the true causes of autism.’

Stereotype #6: Autistic People Are Obsessive

This misconception oversimplifies the diverse characteristics within the autism spectrum. While some autistic individuals may exhibit intense interests or fixations, not all do, and it doesn’t define their entire identity. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with a wide range of traits and behaviours. While some individuals may have focused interests, others do not display this trait to the same extent. 

Mark says, ‘Challenging stereotypes is not just about debunking myths; it’s about creating a more inclusive and empathetic society for individuals on the autism spectrum. By embracing diversity, you can create environments where autistic individuals are valued for their unique strengths and contributions, leading to a more equitable and inclusive world for all.’

According to The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), Autism can affect children’s language development and communication in a variety of ways. While some children with autism may encounter difficulties communicating verbally, others exhibit impressive vocabularies and the ability to speak on specific topic areas in detail. A new study led by Boston University neuroscientist Dr. Andrey Vyshedskiy examines these unique pathways of language development in autistic children. Published in npj Mental Health Research, this research, encompassing data from over 31,000 autistic individuals, is the most extensive on language comprehension acquisition in autism. Dr. Vyshedskiy’s study supports an idea he had more than two decades ago: that language learning for autistic individuals doesn’t happen in a straight line but goes through three different stages. In this Q&A, he discusses the research’s key takeaways and implications for clinicians, educators, and caregivers.

Can you summarize the main insights from this study?

The common intuitive belief is that language comprehension development follows a linear trajectory: children acquire one grammatical rule at a time. Based on a neurological approach, I predicted over 20 years ago that language unfolds in three steps instead of linear development corresponding to three language comprehension mechanisms of increasing complexity. The new study of over 31,000 autistic individuals, published in npj Mental Health Research, validates this prediction. The implications of this discovery are important for philosophy, paleoanthropology, linguistics, clinical medicine, and improving language therapy interventions for children with autism.

What was the traditional understanding of how children develop language, and how does this research challenge that view?

The current practice of characterizing children’s communication ability only regarding their speech (i.e., verbal, nonverbal, or minimally verbal) is insufficient and one-sided. The new results show that communication abilities can vary independent of verbal abilities. For example, nonverbal children with full syntactic language comprehension have a normal ability to communicate, albeit nonverbally, while verbal children lacking syntactic language comprehension do not have a normal ability to communicate by any means. The new study demonstrates that the three identified language comprehension mechanisms are neurologically and clinically distinct from speech ability. A combined two-dimensional language characterization in terms of both language comprehension and verbal level will better identify children’s communication ability and lead to more children reaching their full linguistic potential.

How many people were involved in this study? How did the research team collect and analyze information?

This is the largest study of language comprehension acquisition in autistic children. It included over 31,000 individuals and was conducted by surveying parents via a language therapy app popular among families with children diagnosed with autism and other language deficits.

Based on your research findings, how might clinicians and educators adapt their approaches to assessment and intervention to better address the diverse communication abilities of autistic children?

Language comprehension in children is commonly assessed based on vocabulary. This evaluation method can grossly misrepresent the child’s actual language comprehension progress. Moreover, it encourages therapists to focus on vocabulary training at the expense of exercises that build full language comprehension. The new study provides evidence for creating new assessments evaluating the three mechanisms of language comprehension. These assessments are poised to improve language therapy interventions and enhance outcomes for individuals with language deficits.

What advice would you give to parents or caregivers based on the implications of this research for understanding and fostering language development in autistic children?

Focus all your efforts on improving your child’s language comprehension. Connecting words is more important than building vocabulary. Language comprehension exercises are included in the book I wrote for parents, This Way to Language: Four Things to Do at the First Sign of Autism.

Moving forward, what areas of research or practice do you believe warrant further exploration to better understand and help autistic children with their language development?

Our recent research demonstrates that the critical period for language acquisition is significantly shorter in autistic children compared to typical children. The shortened critical period may be the main culprit preventing autistic children from acquiring full language. These findings suggest that intensive language therapy has to start much earlier in children with suspected language deficits and encourage research into the possibility of pharmacological extension of the critical period for language acquisition.

TO BE AUTISTIC IS TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD. Let’s talk about the reasons behind being misunderstood and the trauma that comes along with it. The three main points that I touch on are the double empathy problem, nonverbal communication, and communication trauma. I hope that by sharing my experiences, people feel less alone in theirs!