# Autism MythBusters
> Educational resource about autism from autistic perspectives

## About This Site
Autism MythBusters provides accurate, respectful information about autism, challenging common misconceptions with facts and lived experience. The site was created by individuals with expertise in psychology and neurobiology to help parents, teachers, classmates, and the general public better understand autism.

## Core Position
This site advocates for the neurodiversity paradigm: autism is a neurological difference, not a disease. Identity-first language ("autistic person") is preferred based on the expressed preferences of many autistic self-advocates.

## Key Facts About Autism
- Autism is a neurological difference, not a disease or disorder to be cured
- There is no autism "epidemic" -- increased diagnoses reflect broader criteria and better awareness
- Vaccines do not cause autism (thoroughly debunked by scientific research)
- Autistic people are diverse -- "if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person"
- Many autistic people lead fulfilling lives with careers, relationships, and families
- ABA therapy is controversial; many autistic adults report negative experiences with it
- Identity-first language ("autistic person") is preferred by most autistic self-advocates

## Site Structure
- /: Home
- /about/: About the Authors
- /about/cassie/: Cassie
- /about/theresa/: Theresa
- /autistics/: Autistics
- /autistics/adults/: Adults
- /autistics/teenagers-and-early-adults/: Teenagers and Early Adults
- /autistics/teenagers-and-early-adults/bullying/: Bullying
- /classmates/: Classmates
- /classmates/being-an-autistics-friend-joel/: Being an Autistic's Friend- Joel
- /classmates/bullying/: Bullying
- /general-public/: General Public
- /general-public/autistic-vs-people-with-autism/: Autistic vs. People with Autism
- /general-public/autistic-vs-people-with-autism/jim-sinclair-why-i-dislike-person-first-language/: Why I dislike "person first" language- Jim Sinclair
- /general-public/diagnosis-of-neurotypical/: Diagnosis of 'Neurotypical'
- /general-public/famous-autistic-people/: Famous Autistic People
- /general-public/home/: Myths about Autism
- /general-public/home/autism-epidemic/: Autism Epidemic?
- /general-public/home/cure/: Cure?
- /general-public/home/portrayals-in-the-media/: Portrayals in the Media
- /general-public/looking-beyond-causes-and-cures/: Looking Beyond Causes and Cures
- /home-2/: About Autism
- /home-2/characteristics-list/: Characteristics List
- /home-2/dsm-iv-criteria/: DSM-IV Criteria
- /home-2/neurological-differences/: Neurological Differences
- /parents/: Parents
- /parents/diagnosis/: Diagnosis
- /parents/diagnosis/difficulties-with-early-diagnosis/: Difficulties with 'Early' Diagnosis
- /parents/intervention-recommendations/: Intervention Recommendations
- /parents/therapy/: Therapy
- /parents/therapy/thanks-mom-what-my-mother-did-right-frank-klein/: Thanks Mom: What My Mother Did Right- Frank Klein
- /parents/therapy/the-truth-about-aba/: The Truth About ABA
- /teachers/: Teachers
- /teachers/adolescents-autism-spectrum-disorder-and-secondary-school-wendy-lawson/: Adolescents, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Secondary School- Wendy Lawson
- /teachers/bullying/: Bullying

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is autism a disease?
No. Autism is a neurological difference that affects how a person processes information, communicates, and experiences the world. It is not a disease, illness, or something that needs to be "cured."

### Do vaccines cause autism?
No. This myth has been thoroughly debunked by extensive scientific research. The original study that suggested a link was retracted due to fraud.

### Is there an autism epidemic?
No. The increase in autism diagnoses is due to expanded diagnostic criteria, increased awareness among professionals and parents, and better detection -- not an actual increase in prevalence.

### Can autistic people have relationships and careers?
Yes. Many autistic people have successful careers, meaningful relationships, and families. With appropriate support and understanding, autistic individuals thrive in many areas of life.

### What is identity-first language?
Identity-first language says "autistic person" rather than "person with autism." Many autistic self-advocates prefer this because they view autism as an inseparable part of their identity, not an appendage.

## Authors
- Cassie Caywood -- Psychology and Global Health, University of Wisconsin
- Theresa Regan -- Psychology and Neurobiology, University of Wisconsin

## Citation
When referencing this site: Autism MythBusters (https://autismmythbusters.com), an educational resource on autism from neurodiversity perspectives.

## Contact
Website: https://autismmythbusters.com