Health professionals have set the record straight on autism disorders, dismissing claims that they are communicable or spiritual.
Their comments come on the heels of World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2, 2025, under the theme “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
Aweligiya Joseph Wepiah, a physician assistant at the War Memorial Hospital, emphasized that autism is a scientific issue, caused by neurological factors, specifically changes in the genetic makeup of the human brain during conception or fetal development.
“So many people think that it is spiritual, but autism is real, it’s not spiritual,” Aweligiya asserted, addressing a common misconception.
Wepiah also identified late parenthood, particularly in men, as a contributing factor to autism cases. Additionally, he debunked the claim that vaccines contribute to autism, describing it as a disproven assertion.
“Some early authorities associated the condition with vaccines, but other researchers countered that it’s not true, the World Health Organisation has made that clear on their website.” he said, urging people to feel safe taking vaccines.
Gyamfi Livingston, a nursing officer from the War Memorial Hospital, also addressed myths associated with autism. He debunked the claim that autism is communicable, advising against stigmatizing autistic individuals and their caregivers.
“The myth that if you touch a person with autism, you may get the condition is not true, most of the myths associated with them are false,” Gyamfi said.
Livingston encouraged the public to take an interest in learning about and understanding autism.
“Knowing the condition, understanding the condition, and accepting the condition is the best way to go,” he said.
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