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Understanding autism

Myths and facts about autism

Who is it for? For anyone who wants to check common claims about autism, for example on vaccinations, on boys and girls, on friendships, on cure and on rising numbers.

In brief

Many claims circulate about autism. Some have been refuted, in others the situation is more complicated than it sounds. Large studies found no link between vaccinations and autism. [6; 3] That autism almost only affects boys is not correct as stated: studies recorded more boys, but diagnoses in girls and women often come later. [7; 2] The claim that people with autism do not want friendships also does not reflect the research. [4] For each claim, this article says what is established and where questions remain open, and points to the detailed articles.

This English translation was produced with AI assistance and has not yet been independently reviewed.

“Vaccinations cause autism”

Fact: There is no evidence for this. A 2014 meta-analysis of five cohort studies (1,256,407 children) and five case-control studies (9,920 children) found no link between vaccinations and autism. [6] A Danish cohort study of 657,461 children found no increased autism risk for children vaccinated with MMR. [3] More: Do vaccinations cause autism? What the studies show.

“Autism almost only affects boys”

Fact: More boys are diagnosed, but not necessarily more are affected. On average across the studies evaluated, about 4.2 times as many boys as girls were recorded (range 0.8 to 6.1). [7] A large Swedish register study found that the ratio converges with increasing age at diagnosis (by the age of 20, about 1.2 in 2022); this suggests that many girls and women are diagnosed later. [2] The study did not examine why this is so. More: Women and autism: why diagnosis often comes later, Autism and gender in research.

“People with autism do not want friends”

Fact: Many wish for friendships and relationships. A systematic review (8 qualitative studies) found that difficulties here are not automatically explained by a lack of interest; many used masking (camouflaging) to make friends, which most found exhausting and often not very effective. [4] This does not mean that everyone feels the same. More: Relationships, friendship and partnership.

“Autism can be cured”

Assessment: According to the guideline, autism is usually a lasting difference with a variable course, not a condition that can be therapised “away”. The 2021 guideline stated that people with autism usually live with a chronic disorder or disability that has a variable course, and that the diagnosis does not in itself mean that ongoing therapy is needed. [5, Rec. 1] Support can improve participation and quality of life, but a “promise of a cure” is a warning sign: Recognising controversial and unreliable offers. The guideline expired on 23 March 2026. [1]

“There is more and more autism – it is a fashionable diagnosis”

Fact: More cases are being measured, but the reasons are multifaceted. A 2022 review article saw several factors working together: more awareness, advances in recognition and definition, and more capacity; for environmental toxins or migration as a cause it saw only weak or contradictory evidence. [7] The average figure was about 1 in 100 children, but the studies reached very different results. [7] More: How common is autism?, Why are autism diagnosis numbers rising? What research says.

“Autism always means intellectual disability”

Fact: Autism occurs with and without intellectual disability. The guideline therefore distinguished between the two groups in many recommendations. [5, Ch. C.1] More: Autism and intellectual disability.

“People with autism have no empathy”

Fact: The picture is more differentiated. Studies show different results depending on the type of empathy, and misunderstandings between people with and without autism run in both directions. More: Empathy and autism: a common misunderstanding.

What else you should know

Note: This article provides general information. It is not a substitute for personal advice or treatment by professionals.

Sources and literature

  1. DGKJP. Aktuelle Leitlinien (Einträge 028-018 „Gültig bis 04.04.2021“ und 028-047 „Gültig bis 23.03.2026“). https://www.dgkjp.de/wissen/aktuelle-leitlinien/ – Professional society (website in German)
  2. Fyfe C, Winell H, Dougherty J, Gutmann DH, Kolevzon A, Marrus N, Tedroff K, Turner TN, Weiss LA, Yip BHK, Yin W, Sandin S. Time trends in the male to female ratio for autism incidence: population based, prospectively collected, birth cohort study. BMJ 2026;392. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025-084164 – Observational study (register)
  3. Hviid A, Hansen JV, Frisch M, Melbye M. Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine 2019;170(8):513–520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-2101 – Cohort study
  4. Ridgway K, Cooke K, Demmer DH, Hooley M, Westrupp E, Stokes MA. Camouflaging Autism in Pursuit of Friendship and Intimate Relationships: A Systematic Review. Autism in Adulthood 2025;7(5):543–557. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0160 – Systematic review
  5. DGKJP, DGPPN et al. Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter. Teil 2: Therapie. S3-Leitlinie, AWMF-Reg.-Nr. 028-047, Stand Text 02.05.2021. – Guideline (in German); expired on 23 March 2026
  6. Taylor LE, Swerdfeger AL, Eslick GD. Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine 2014;32(29):3623–3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085 – Meta-analysis
  7. Zeidan J, Fombonne E, Scorah J, Ibrahim A, Durkin MS, Saxena S, Yusuf A, Shih A, Elsabbagh M. Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update. Autism Research 2022;15(5):778–790. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2696 – Systematic review

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