What Autism is Not

By Michael Bronfman, May 21, 2025

Author assisted by AI

Welcome back to our second article in our unmet needs series: Autism

In our Last post we explored what exactly autism is and this week, we are looking into “What Autism is Not.”

Understanding What Autism Isn’t Caused By

Debunking the Vaccine Myth and Other Common Misconceptions

Let’s talk about autism—but more specifically, let’s talk about what doesn’t cause it.

If you work in pharma or medtech, chances are you’ve come across some of the misconceptions that still swirl around Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite decades of scientific research, myths continue to muddy the waters. At the top of that list? The long-debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. (Spoiler alert: They don’t. Not even a little.)

And while we’re at it, let’s also clear the air on some other outdated beliefs, like blaming screen time, parenting, or gluten. Let’s cut through the noise with facts and help our industry—and the broader public—move forward with a more accurate understanding of the autism spectrum.

Let’s Start with the Big One: Vaccines

The vaccine-autism myth started back in 1998 with a now-infamous study published in The Lancet. A British doctor named Andrew Wakefield claimed that the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine was linked to autism. The paper had a grand total of 12 participants. That’s not a typo—just twelve.

The media ran with it. Fear spread like wildfire. Vaccination rates dropped. Measles came roaring back. But here’s the thing:

The study was flawed, unethical, and ultimately fraudulent.

Wakefield’s medical license was revoked. The Lancet retracted the paper. And since then, numerous large-scale studies—we’re talking hundreds of thousands of kids—have found no link between vaccines and autism. One of the biggest, a 2019 Danish study, looked at over 650,000 children. Still no connection.

So why does this myth still have legs? Fear is powerful. But facts are more powerful—if we keep pushing them forward.

Other Things That Don’t Cause Autism

Beyond vaccines, autism has been blamed on a laundry list of things. Let’s bust a few more myths:

1. Parenting Style

Remember the “refrigerator mother” theory from the mid-20th century? The idea that cold or unloving mothers caused autism? Total bunk. It’s not your parenting. Autism has strong genetic roots, not emotional ones.

2. Trauma or Stress

No, trauma doesn’t cause autism either. Stress can affect development in various ways—but it doesn’t explain the neurological differences we see in autistic individuals.

3. Screen Time

This is somewhat inconclusive. Yes, kids are glued to screens more than ever. No, that hasn’t been linkedto autism. Symptoms of ASD often show up before heavy screen use begins. While screen time may affect attention spans or sleep, it doesn’t rewire the brain in ways that cause autism.

So What Does Contribute to Autism?

While there’s still a lot to learn, we know a few things for sure:

1. Genetics

Autism is highly heritable. Twin studies and genome research have identified hundreds of genes involved in brain development that are linked to ASD. It’s complex, but genetics play a major role.

2. Prenatal Factors

Some prenatal conditions—like parental age-for example, if the father is over age 40- complications during pregnancy, or certain environmental exposures—may increase the risk of autism in genetically susceptible individuals. But these are risk factors, not causes.

The “Spectrum” in Autism Spectrum Disorder

One of the most important things to understand about autism is that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. That’s why it’s called a spectrum.

Some individuals might need 24/7 support. Others might be independent professionals in STEM fields. The diversity across communication styles, social behavior, interests, and sensory experiences is vast.

Here are a few key areas where the spectrum really shows up:

• Communication: Some are non-verbal. Others are eloquent but struggle with back-and-forth conversation or reading social cues.

• Social Interaction: Some prefer solitude, others crave connection but find social settings overwhelming.

• Repetitive Behaviors: From stimming (like hand-flapping) to intense focus on niche topics—these behaviors vary in type and impact.

• Sensory Processing: Lights, sounds, textures—what feels normal to one person might be unbearable or barely noticeable to someone on the spectrum.

This variability is exactly why the DSM-5 consolidated various subtypes into one diagnosis—Autism Spectrum Disorder—in 2013.

Why This Matters in Pharma and Medtech

Whether you’re developing therapies, diagnostics, or digital health tools, understanding the true nature of autism helps you better serve a highly diverse and underserved population. It also helps ensure you don’t inadvertently perpetuate myths through marketing, trial design, or stakeholder education.

Especially in smaller companies, where agility and mission-driven work are your superpowers, there’s a unique opportunity to lead with empathy and science.

Final Thought: Stick to the Science

It’s easy to get caught up in popular narratives, but in healthcare, we have a responsibility to fight misinformation—especially when it leads to public health risks, like vaccine hesitancy.

Autism is not caused by vaccines. Or screen time. Or poor parenting. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition with a genetic backbone and a complex presentation that varies from person to person.

If we want to build a more informed, compassionate world—not to mention better products and services for the autism community—we’ve got to start by ditching the myths and doubling down on the facts.

Want to help reshape how your company talks about autism? Please contact us at Metis Consulting Services. We are  here for it. Let’s raise the bar together.