Autism Facts Every Indian Parent Should Know; Doctor Debunks Common Myths

Nearly two million children are estimated to be on the autism spectrum and 1 in 65 children between ages two and nine show signs of Autism. Thus, there is an increasing need for Indian parents to understand the facts. Signs of autism that should raise red flags include delayed speech at 16 months, limited gestures such as pointing, and repetitive behaviours such as hand-flapping. Diagnostically, the doctors assert that autism is a neurological development, but not a disease or mental illness and it may range from mild to very severe, with often comorbid anxious or epileptic disorders. The most common myths are that autism can be cured and only results from poor parenting. Genetic and other environmental factors highlight these misconceptions, where experts recommend evidence-based support instead of treatments that have not been proven.

Cultural stigmas in India worsen the challenges: delayed diagnosis due to lack of awareness and screening tools like INDT-ASD or ADI-R, although, on the other hand, there are government initiatives such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan that accommodate free education and special facilities like shadow teachers. Parents commonly fear that their children will never "normalise." In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Sonam Kothari, CEO and Co-Founder of Butterfly Learnings And Expert Pediatric Neurologist debunks common myths about autism in children that every parent should know.

Myth vs Facts: Autism In Children

Myth: Non-Speaking Autistic Children Aren’t Intelligent

Fact: According to a study published in ScienceDirect, autistic children with minimal or no speech usually show strong nonverbal cognitive skills. The research further revealed that autistic participants even outperformed non-autistic children on problem-solving tests that do not depend on language. This implies their intelligence can be equal to or higher than their peers. Speech ability therefore, does not determine cognitive ability, and non-speaking autistic children can think, understand, and learn just as well.

Myth: Autism Results From Bad Parenting

The long-discredited “refrigerator mother” theory once claimed that autism was caused by cold or distant parenting. Although the world has moved past this idea, its traces still linger in some Indian communities.

Fact: A study in Frontiers in Psychiatry reinforces that autism originates during early brain development. Parenting style neither causes nor cures autism. While a nurturing environment helps children thrive, the diagnosis is never tied to parental behaviour or emotional warmth.

Myth: Autism Equals Intellectual Disability

This assumption leads to confusion and unnecessary fear.

Fact: Autism and intellectual disability are different conditions. While autism affects communication, behaviour plus sensory processing, intellectual disability affects overall cognitive functioning as well as daily living skills. Many autistic children, for example, can have average or above-average intelligence. Also, they can excel in subjects requiring deep focus, such as mathematics, memory, or art.

Myth: All Autistic Children Have Intellectual Disabilities.

This myth usually restricts expectations and overshadows a child’s strengths.

Fact: Research indicates that two out of three autistic children do not have an intellectual disability. Autism exists across a wide spectrum, including profiles similar to DSM-5 Level 1 Autism, where support needs may be moderate or minimal. Moreover, each child exhibits a unique developmental trajectory. It is significantly influenced by their individual strengths and challenges.

Equipped with these facts, Indian parents can dispel myths with actionable knowledge, focusing on early detection and customised support that will unlock their child's potential. By embracing neurodiversity, the families make a positive contribution toward an inclusive society; they utilise resources such as guidance by experts and community networks to ensure long-term success. This way, no child in any family has to face autism alone.