Start with Understanding: Autism & Consumer Health Complete

Introduction

What is Autism Acceptance Month? 

Every April, Autism Acceptance Month aims to increase understanding, foster acceptance, and spark conversations about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Established in 1970 by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. and the Autism Society, this annual observance was originally focused on raising autism awareness. However, in recent years, many advocates have emphasized that awareness is not enough.

The movement now encourages autism acceptance, which means recognizing the value of neurodiversity, supporting autistic individuals in meaningful ways, and ensuring they have access to education, employment, and healthcare. The #AutismIs campaign from the Autism Society promotes shifting from outdated narratives to empowering, inclusive perspectives that celebrate autistic people as an essential part of our communities. This means moving beyond awareness to meaningful action and inclusion, support, and advocacy for autistic individuals and their families. 

Common Misconceptions About Autism

Despite growing understanding, misinformation about autism persists. Here are some myths you've probably heard: 

Autism can be 'cured.'

While there are therapies to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, autism is a lifelong condition. The goal is not to "cure" autism but to provide support for living with it. Rather than focusing on a "cure," healthcare providers work to support autistic children in developing skills for greater independence. Early diagnosis allows for early intervention, giving children access to specialized support that helps them grow and adapt. While they may not "outgrow" autism, their behaviors and abilities can evolve with the right care and resources. 

Childhood vaccines cause autism.

This claim has been thoroughly debunked by decades of scientific research. Autism is a neurological condition, not caused by vaccines. 

This myth originated with Andrew Wakefield, a researcher who claimed that the MMR vaccine caused autism. His study was published in The Lancet, a respected medical journal, in 1998, and the idea quickly spread. 

However, repeated attempts to replicate Wakefield’s findings failed—because his data was falsified. Investigators later uncovered that he had undisclosed financial conflicts of interest and was ideologically opposed to vaccination. 

In 2010, a panel found Wakefield guilty of research misconduct. His study was retracted, and he lost his medical license. Extensive research has since confirmed that there is no scientific link between vaccines and autism. However, the damage was done—many people continue to believe this myth, fueling vaccine hesitancy. 

All Autistic People...

...are savants with extraordinary talents.
...are violent.
...have intellectual or learning disabilities.
...lack emotions.
...are unaware of social cues or indifferent to others' feelings.
...are incapable of certain jobs or parenting.
...are nonverbal.

Autism is a spectrum, meaning it varies widely from person to person. Some individuals require significant support, while others live independently. It’s inaccurate to assume that all autistic people share the same characteristics or challenges. While some autistic individuals may experience these traits, they are not universal. These stereotypes contribute to discrimination and reinforce the systemic barriers that autistic people and those with disabilities face every day. 

Why Reliable Health Information Matters

In today’s digital world, information about autism is everywhere—from social media posts and blogs to news articles and personal testimonials. While many of these sources provide helpful insights; misinformation is widespread. Parents, caregivers, and autistic individuals often encounter: 

• Unverified treatments that lack scientific backing. 
• Conflicting advice about therapies and interventions. 
• Outdated or misleading information can cause confusion and stress. 

When making decisions about healthcare, therapy, education, and daily support, it’s essential to rely on evidence-based resources that are reviewed by medical professionals. The right information can empower individuals and families to advocate for proper support and services. 

Consumer Health Complete

If you’d rather not sift through endless Google results for trustworthy, up-to-date health information, try Consumer, opens a new window Health Complete— one of our online research databases. This resource is designed to provide authoritative, easy-to-understand health and medical content for the general public. 

Unlike general internet searches, Consumer Health Complete offers: 

• Peer-reviewed articles from medical journals and health organizations. 
• Fact-based reports on conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 
• Educational materials including evidence-based treatment overviews. 
• Full-text reference books on health topics. 

By using Consumer Health Complete, you can find reliable, research-backed information about autism without worrying about misleading sources. Whether you’re looking for early intervention strategies, therapy options, or guidance on co-occurring conditions, this database offers trustworthy answers from medical experts. 

Exploring the Database

Consumer Health Complete is designed to help users gain an overall understanding of key topics across the health and wellness spectrum — from mainstream medicine to complementary, holistic, and integrated medicine.

Consumer Health Complete gives you the ability to perform basic and advanced searches or browse for content by topic from the home screen.

Below the popular topics on the home page is a list of topic categories. Click on one of the featured topics to begin browsing.

Continue browsing by selecting sub-topics until you reach a results list. As you browse, your selections are added to the breadcrumbs displayed above the topic tiles.

Click on an article in the results list to read it or click the view all results link to view all related articles from Consumer Health Complete.

When viewing all related results, you can filter your results using the filters displayed below the search box or click all filters to view all available filters. You can also select any of the search segments to quickly limit your results to all results (default), articles & journals, eBooks, Reference, or video content.

Click the access options menu to view the available reading options for the article. 

Note: If you perform a keyword search while viewing a category, Consumer Health Complete searches the entire database— your results are not limited to the category selected.

How to Access

Accessing the database is easy!

1. Visit the library website and navigate to the Online Library navigational tab

2. Find Consumer Health Complete under Health + Medicine or in our A-Z Resources list.

3. Log in using your Clark County Public Library card and pin/password.

Note: Users can set up a myEBSCO account if they would like to use the features of the Dashboard to save articles for future reference.

Looking for more ways to learn and support? Check out our book list!

List created by CCPL_Database

Autism Acceptance Month is about more than just awareness—it’s about celebrating neurodiversity, amplifying autistic voices, and supporting individuals in leading fulfilling lives. This book list features insightful guides on self-advocacy, life skills, and empowerment, written by autistic individuals, experts, and allies. Whether you're looking for personal narratives, practical resources, or advocacy strategies, these books offer valuable perspectives on thriving as an autistic person in a neurotypical world.

View Full List

References