As autism identification and diagnostic practices have improved over the past few years, it has led to more children being diagnosed early, meaning there is more awareness about the condition. However, the lack of understanding about autism remains a big problem today, and can make it difficult for diagnosed people to have their condition recognized and to access the support they need.
Misconceptions can lead to some autistic people feeling isolated and alone, and in extreme cases, abused or bullied. Many parents of kids with autism might desperately seek answers online.
Even if awareness of autism is growing, there's still a lot of confusion around what it is, what causes it, and how it affects people in very different ways.
To learn more, let's debunk the biggest myths about autism in the following gallery. Click on for more.