The effect of autism phenotype and diagnosis disclosure on students' desire for social distance from autistic peers

LAY ABSTRACT

Autistic students experience loneliness, rejection from peers, which might negatively affect both their well-being, as well as academic results. Others have studied this topic, however, the existing research does not analyze the desire for social distance from autistic female students in higher education. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the way autism is expressed and disclosing the autism diagnosis had an effect on students' willingness to interact with autistic male and female students. We also analyzed participants' knowledge about autism, contact with autistic people in the past and its pleasantness in relation to their willingness to interact with autistic students described in the scenarios of the present study. We found that students were less willing to interact with autistic male students compared to autistic female students, as well as with autistic students whose diagnosis was not disclosed compared to autistic students whose diagnosis was disclosed to the raters. In addition, students who reported more pleasant contact with autistic individuals in the past were more willing to socially interact with autistic students if their diagnosis was disclosed. Students with higher knowledge of autism expressed greater willingness to interact with autistic males and autistic students regardless of diagnosis disclosure. Findings suggest that autistic males and individuals who prefer not to disclose their diagnosis are more vulnerable to social exclusion. More subtle expressions of autism need to be researched further.

A Systematic Review of the Stigma Experienced by People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated with Intellectual Disabilities and by Their Family Caregivers

The purpose of this paper was to explore the social stigma experienced by individuals diagnosed with ASD+ID, and to identify knowledge gaps for future studies by conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature. In this systematic review, we included 12 studies exploring the experience of stigma among people with ASD+ID and/or their caregivers. Our aim was to better understand this experience, but also to explore the strategies used to cope with stigma in this population. Our results confirmed that people with ASD+ID and their caregivers experience at least low to moderate levels of stigma, and that this experience is modulated by internal and external factors (such as parental age, mindfulness traits, ASD symptoms…). In addition, our results show the impact of stigma on community integration, psychological well-being and help-seeking behaviour. The role of family, friends and professional support, as well as the formation of networks to share information, appear in our results to be protective factors against stigma. To our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review to examine the stigmatisation of people with ASD+ID and/or their caregivers. Further research is needed to understand the perspective of people with ASD+ID themselves and to explore other factors that modulate this experience, in particular gender and ethnicity.

Assessing Autism Knowledge Across the Global Landscape Using the ASK-Q

Substantial variability exists with regard to autism service provision around the world. Service disparities observed in many low- and middle-income countries may be driven, in part, by limited autism knowledge; however, measurement limitations have made it difficult to quantify autism knowledge across countries. The current study uses the autism stigma and knowledge questionnaire (ASK-Q) to quantify autism knowledge and stigma between different countries and demographics. The current study compiled data from 6830 participants collected using adapted versions of the ASK-Q administered in 13 different countries, representing four different continents. Structural equation modeling was used to examine how autism knowledge varied across country and individual factors. Results reveal cross country variability with a large, 17-point difference between the countries with the highest knowledge (Canada) and the lowest knowledge (Lebanon). As expected, countries with higher economies had higher levels of knowledge. We also documented differences based on country worldview, participant occupation, gender, age, and education level. These results help to identify specific regions and populations that might most need greater information about autism.

Societal Attitudes Towards Autism (SATA): Validation of the Greek Version in the General Population

This study examined the validity of the Greek version of the Societal Attitudes Towards Autism (SATA) scale in a Greek community sample (n = 633) and explored how the demographic variables of the sample modulate knowledge and attitudes regarding people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The principal component analysis confirmed the three-dimension model and explained 40.5% of the variance. All Cronbach's alpha values obtained were over 0.70. SATA's subscales were significantly and positively correlated, indicating good internal reliability. Participants presented moderate knowledge about ASD and mediocre positive attitudes towards people with ASD. Gender, age, and educational level significantly affected SATA total scores. Overall, this Greek version of SATA showed acceptable psychometric properties, indicating that can be a reliable scale for use.

A mixed method comparison of stigma toward autism and schizophrenia and effects of person-first versus identity-first language

Introduction

While stigma toward autistic individuals has been well documented, less is known about how autism is perceived relative to other stigmatized disabilities. As a highly stigmatized condition with similar social cognitive features to autism, schizophrenia may offer a useful comparison for stigma. Previous studies have found that autistic people may be perceived more favorably than those with schizophrenia, but little is known about the underlying volitional thoughts that contribute to differences in how these conditions are perceived.

Methods

The present study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, allowing for a detailed understanding of how young adults perceive different diagnostic labels. 533 college undergraduates completed questionnaires reflecting their perceptions of one of eight diagnostic labels: four related to autism (autism, autistic, autism spectrum disorder, or Asperger's), two related to schizophrenia (schizophrenia or schizophrenic), and two related to an unspecified clinical condition (clinical diagnosis or clinical disorder). Participants also completed an open-ended question regarding their thoughts about, and exposure to, these labels. Responses were compared across broader diagnostic categories (autism, schizophrenia, general clinical condition), with thematic analysis used to assess the broader themes occurring within the open-ended text.

Results

While perceptions did not differ significantly for person-first and identity-first language within labels, several differences were apparent across labels. Specifically, quantitative results indicated greater prejudice towards autism and schizophrenia than the generic clinical condition, with schizophrenia associated with more perceived fear and danger, as well as an increased preference for social distance, compared to autism. Patterns in initial codes differed across diagnostic labels, with greater variation in responses about autism than responses about schizophrenia or the general clinical condition. While participants described a range of attitudes toward autism (patronizing, exclusionary, and accepting) and schizophrenia (fear, prejudice, and empathy), they refrained from describing their attitudes toward the general clinical label, highlighting the centrality of a cohesive group identity for the development of stigma. Finally, participants reported a number of misconceptions about autism and schizophrenia, with many believing features such as savant syndrome to be core characteristics of the conditions.

Conclusion

These findings offer a more detailed account of how non-autistic individuals view autism and may therefore aid in the development of targeted programs to improve attitudes toward autism.

Applications of identity-based theories to understand the impact of stigma and camouflaging on mental health outcomes for autistic people

Autistic people have long been conceptualized from a deficit-based model of disability, but recent self-advocates and scholars have asserted the importance of recognizing autism as both a disability and an important part of a person's social identity. The autistic identity is subject to specific stigma and stressors beyond everyday discrimination and prejudice, which can have many downstream implications on mental health and well-being. Prior research on camouflaging has explained both quantitatively and qualitatively how autistic people conform to norms and mask their autistic traits to better fit in with non-autistic societal standards. Given this paradigm shift in understanding autistic peoples' lived experiences, researchers must also begin to reshape the theories guiding their work in order to improve diagnosis, intervention, and supports. This review examines the extant research on identity-related stigma and camouflaging and their subsequent impacts on mental health outcomes in autism. A model is proposed integrating identity-based theories-specifically the social model of disability, social identity theory, and minority stress model-to explain relationships across research areas and better explain the experiences of autistic people. We discuss how identity-based theories can be applied in autism research to better understand the impacts of stigma and camouflaging on autistic peoples' lived experiences and reduce disparities in their mental health outcomes.

Pilot Survey: Police Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder

This piliot study assessed the experiences of police officers related to persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) via a survey assessing prior experience, comfort, knowledge, and ability to identify autistic persons. Fifty-one officers completed the survey: 52.9% reported previous ASD training, 34.8% reported personal experience with ASD, and 56.9% endorsed low overall knowledge of ASD. Officers reported neutral comfort (mean 3.24) and moderate practical knowledge (mean 3.74) [Likert scale 1-5; 5 = highest]. Those with previous training or with personal experience reported higher comfort and knowledge. Those with personal experience were more likely to recognize features of ASD in clinical vignettes. Further study is necessary to understand what additional training about ASD may be helpful to police officers.

Knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors of caregivers towards children with autism spectrum disorder in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia

Background

Caregivers are directly involved in managing the daily basic needs of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The knowledge and attitudes of these caregivers are important to achieving success in their roles. Thus, this study aimed to determine what constitutes good knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors among caregivers toward children with ASD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 caregivers of children with ASD in Kota Bharu, Kelantan from May to August 2020, using convenience sampling. Validated questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward children with ASD. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics and simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were then performed.

Results

The response rate was 100%. The proportion of good knowledge and attitudes toward children with ASD among caregivers was 85.1% and 88.3%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with good knowledge were being female (OR (95% CI) 2.79 [0.99-7.90]) and ASD children being non-first-born children (OR (95% CI) 0.41 [0.15-1.12]). Factors significantly associated with good attitudes were age of 30 years and older (OR (95% CI) 0.13 [0.03-0.62]) and caregiver having other children with other types of learning difficulties (OR (95% CI) 0.15 [0.04, 0.52]).

Conclusions

The proportion of caregivers with good knowledge of ASD and good attitudes toward children with ASD was high. The caregiver's age and sex, the position of the ASD child among the siblings, and the presence of other types of learning disorders in the family need to be considered when managing children with ASD.

Stigma towards people with mental illness in the Nordic countries - a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Stigma affects people with mental illness globally, however, it is proposed that stigma is less prevalent in wealthier countries and that people hold more positive attitudes in Northern and Western Europe. Even so, accounts from surveys in Denmark and Sweden reveal that stigma is very much prevalent.

AIM

This scoping review aims to shed light on the body of literature regarding mental-health-related stigma in the Nordic Countries and identify knowledge gaps.

METHODS

We searched four electronic databases in December 2017 and again in June 2020. All types of empirical studies (qualitative, quantitative, and mix-methods) examining the stigma of people with mental illness were included.

RESULTS

In total, 61 studies were included. Overall, findings from the Nordic countries resemble global findings. Studies are primarily descriptive, and mostly survey studies of attitudes toward people with mental illness in the general population. Few studies focus on discrimination, and those who do, measure intended behavior in hypothetical situations rather than actual acts of discrimination in real-life situations. Studies were mostly conducted on a community or organizational level; no studies were identified on a system level. Experienced stigma and discrimination by patients, but also relatives, were a focus in one-third of the studies. Very few studies of interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination were identified.

CONCLUSION

More studies into stigma on a system or institutional level are needed. Ways to measure acts of discrimination should be invented. Furthermore, interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination should be developed, targeting all levels of society.

Analysis of Spanish Parents’ Knowledge about ASD and Their Attitudes towards Inclusive Education

To make possible the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream settings, parental knowledge and attitudes towards the disorder play a key role between the home and the school setting. However, prior literature has not carried out an in-depth analysis of parents’ knowledge about ASD and their attitudes toward the inclusion of children with this diagnosis. This study examined the parental attitudes towards inclusion and knowledge about ASD. Participants were parents of children with ASD (n = 75), parents of children without ASD whose children had prior or current contact with peers with ASD (n = 44), and parents of children with no previous interactions with a peer with ASD (n = 51). The Attitudes of Regular Educators Towards Inclusion for Students with Autism Survey and the Autism Knowledge Questionnaire were filled out. Nonparametric statistical tests were used. Results showed that parents of children with ASD have better knowledge about this disorder and hold more favorable attitudes towards the inclusion of children with ASD than the other parents. These findings suggest that the benefits of inclusive schooling are limited to the school setting and do not appear to affect families of children without ASD.

Understanding Stigma in Autism: A Narrative Review and Theoretical Model

The experience of stigma by autistic people is relatively understudied, despite contributing to a range of poor outcomes and having an overarching impact on well-being. The current review of the literature synthesizes research to determine what is currently known and presents a theoretical model of autism stigma. Autism stigma is primarily influenced by a public and professional understanding of autism in combination with interpretation of visible autistic traits. Moderating factors include the quality and quantity of contact with autistic people, cultural factors, sex and gender, individual differences, and diagnostic disclosure. Stigma can reduce well-being as well as increase the presence of camouflaging behaviors, which mask autistic traits. Caregivers of autistic people can experience stigma by association, that is, affiliate stigma, which can impact their own well-being. A variety of interventions and approaches to reduce stigma are discussed, including "autism friendly" spaces, positive media representation, educational and psychosocial training for the public and professionals, as well as cultural and systemic shifts that foster inclusivity and recognize neurodiversity.

A systematic review on autistic people's experiences of stigma and coping strategies

Autism can be understood as a concealable stigmatized identity. This is the first systematic review to synthesize the literature on autistic people's experiences of stigma and coping strategies. 2877 studies were screened and 27 were included in this review. The reviewed literature demonstrates that autistic individuals are acutely aware of being stereotyped, judged, and discriminated by others. Autistic people also show signs of internalizing stigma, rendering them more vulnerable to low self-worth and poorer mental health. To manage the impact of stigma, the included studies suggest that autistic individuals may use these strategies: concealment and camouflaging, selective disclosure and self-advocacy, as well as positive reframing and reconstructing identity. However, the evidence is limited and mixed in terms of how helpful and effective these strategies are. Future studies should include autistic populations with a wider range of intellectual abilities and explore interventions that can support autistic people in managing stigma to supplement interventions that seek to reduce stigma towards autistic people. The power of language in perpetuating and challenging stigma also has important implications for research and practice, underscoring the need for researchers and practitioners to reflect carefully on the messages they are communicating about autism.

Knowledge mediates attitude in autism spectrum disorders? Data from Malaysia

Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder.

Autism in Australia: Community Knowledge and Autistic People's Experiences

This paper presents two studies that explored community attitudes to autism in Australia; and autistic people and their families' perspectives of community attitudes. In Study One 2424 (primarily non-autistic) people completed a survey on autism-related knowledge and attitudes; identifying a number of misperceptions and knowledge gaps in the general community. In Study Two 1353 people (primarily parents and carers of autistic people) completed a survey on autism-related experiences; identifying that the community's awareness of autism does not appear to extend to understanding how to support autistic people. There is a need for more research which integrates the perspectives of both autistic people and the broader community; and the development of communication and education interventions, with rather than about autistic people.

Chinese Validation of the Multidimensional Attitude Scale toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS): Attitudes toward Autism Spectrum Disorders

The literature on tools of attitudes towards ASD was limited. This study is the first to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the multidimensional attitudes scale toward persons with disabilities (MAS) in a sample of Chinese college students (N = 1002, 32.10% males). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the G-MAS-R model's 4-factor structure: calm, negative affect, positive cognitions and behavioral avoidance. The results suggest that the Chinese version of the MAS has satisfactory internal consistency. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the MAS scores were significantly correlated with the Social Distance Scale and Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire scores. Overall, the findings indicate that the MAS is appropriate for assessing attitudes toward people with ASD in a Chinese context.

Les enjeux de littératie dans la communication aux parents du diagnostic de trouble du spectre de l’autisme chez l’enfant

Informer les parents dont l’enfant vient de recevoir un diagnostic de trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) est un enjeu majeur. Il est nécessaire de mieux comprendre comment les parents interprètent et s’approprient cette information dans leur vie quotidienne afin de mieux répondre à leurs besoins.

Objectif Mettre en évidence les besoins d’information, le processus de recherche d’information à partir de cadre conceptuel de la littératie en santé (accès, compréhension, interprétation et utilisation) ainsi que les obstacles et les éléments facilitateurs rencontrés.

Méthode Une recherche qualitative auprès de groupes de discussion a été menée avec des parents d’enfants ayant reçu un diagnostic de TSA dans les deux dernières années. Deux des trois groupes étaient formés de parents présentant des facteurs de risque associés à un faible niveau de littératie : monoparentalité, faible scolarité, sans-emploi, immigration récente.

Résultats Un manque généralisé d’information sur l’autisme et des préoccupations quant à la qualité de l’information trouvée sur Internet sont constatés. Tous les parents ont exprimé leur difficulté à comprendre l’information présentée. Le nombre d’obstacles rencontrés par ces derniers dans la recherche d’information s’est révélé être amplifié par des besoins importants de soutien social.

Conclusion Ces résultats soulèvent la nécessité de mieux répondre aux besoins d’information des parents en adaptant les outils proposés en termes d’accès et de compréhension pour la prise de décisions. En plus du soutien informationnel, il demeure crucial d’offrir différentes formes de soutien social, et ce, tout particulièrement aux parents en situation de vulnérabilité. Des propositions pour améliorer la communication sur l’autisme autour du diagnostic sont proposées.

What Contributes to Stigma Towards Autistic University Students and Students with Other Diagnoses?

Little remains known about the degree to which autistic university students are stigmatized relative to students with other diagnoses. We conducted an online survey with students in New York City (n = 633) and Beirut (n = 274). Students with diagnoses that were perceived as dangerous (e.g., psychopathy) were more stigmatized than students with diagnoses that were perceived as less dangerous (e.g., autism). Disruptive autistic behaviors (described via vignettes) evoked more stigma than withdrawn behaviors. Perceived dangerousness predicted autism stigma. Greater acceptance of inequality, less openness, and lower cognitive empathy co-occurred with heightened stigma towards most conditions. Diagnostic labels were typically less stigmatized than behaviors. Findings suggest that interventions are needed to decrease stigma towards varied diagnoses in collegiate communities.

Needs of people with psychosis and their caregivers: «In their own voice»

INTRODUCTION

Improvement in mental health care services is going through a greater involvement of people with mental disorders and their families. Our aim was to directly ask the opinion of people with psychosis and their caregivers about their needs and preference for treatment.

METHODS

The authors designed an anonymous survey containing 9questions about their needs or suggestions on different areas such as personal and social dimensions of the illness, medical and psychotherapeutic treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation or help received from professionals. A pilot study was done to ensure the adequacy and intelligibility of the form. The final survey consisted of 5.205 completed surveys were collected, corresponding to 2.840 people diagnosed with psychotic disorder (including schizophrenia) and 1.341 caregivers, from all over Spain.

RESULTS

The most important need as assessed by participants was emotional support (friendships, partner, family). 91% of patients indicated that this need was «quite» or «very important». Both people with schizophrenia and caregivers perceived their health to be poor (3.29 and 3.30 respectively on an ascending scale from 0 to 5). 43% of males and 39% of females reported having «little» or «no» freedom to make important life decisions. For 35% of participants the psychotherapeutic treatment was instituted too late. Work was «important» or «very important» for 74% of respondents, especially for young people. The most valued anti-stigma initiative was to increase investments in schizophrenia healthcare plans.

CONCLUSIONS

Designers of mental health care services should consider the importance given by people diagnosed with psychosis to emotional needs, perception of freedom to make choices and early intervention.

Linking knowledge and attitudes: Determining neurotypical knowledge about and attitudes towards autism

“Why are neurotypicals so pig-ignorant about autism?” an autistic person wrote on the Curtin Autism Research Group’s on-line portal as a response to a call for research questions. Co-produced with an autistic researcher, knowledge about and attitudes towards autism were analysed from 1,054 completed surveys, representing the Australian neurotypical adult population. The majority, 81.5% of participants had a high level of knowledge and 81.3% of participants had a strong positive attitude towards autism. Neither age, nor education level had an impact on attitudes. However, attitudes were influenced by knowledge about ‘Societal Views and Ideas’; ‘What it Could be Like to Have Autism’; and the demographic variables ‘Knowing and having spent time around someone with autism’; and gender (women having more positive attitudes than men). Thus, targeted interventions, geared more towards men than women, to increase knowledge about autism could further improve attitudes and increase acceptance of the autistic community.

Internalised stigma in adults with autism: A German multi-center survey

The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of internalised stigma and possible predictors in adults with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We measured internalised stigma in a sample of 149 adults with ASD and an IQ ≥70 (79.2% male, mean age 31.8 years), using the Brief Version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-10). The mean ISMI-10 score was 1.93 (SD=0.57), with 15.4% of participants reporting moderate or severe internalised stigma. Moderate or severe stigma was more frequent in persons aged ≥35 years (OR: 4.36), and in individuals with low educational level (OR: 6.00). IQ, sex and ASD diagnostic subtype (ICD-10) did not influence stigma severity. Compared to other mental disorders, the level of internalised stigma in adults with ASD without intellectual disability appears to be lower.

A theoretical framework for investigating the context for creating employment success in information technology for individuals with autism

There is limited research that addresses the inclusion of individuals with autism in the workforce. Autism employment in information technology (IT) is a new phenomenon and there is no established theory to draw from to investigate this phenomenon. In this paper, we review the existing literature on autism employment and present a theoretical framework to study information technology workplace readiness to equitably include individuals with autism. Our proposed framework extends Annabi and Lebovitz’s organizational interventions mitigating individual barriers theoretical framework to include Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior constructs. The framework will contribute to advancing the knowledge and understanding of the needs of individuals with autism, the knowledge and attitudes of neurotypical information technology employees, and organization and employment characteristics. Ultimately, this work will lead to discoveries that broaden participation of individuals with autism in the information technology industry and beyond.

Understanding, attitudes and dehumanisation towards autistic people

Research suggests that while individuals may self-report positive attitudes towards autism, dehumanising attitudes (seeing another as less than human) may still prevail. This study investigated knowledge, openness and dehumanising attitudes of non-autistic people towards autistic people. A total of 361 participants completed a survey measuring autism openness, knowledge and experience, along with a measure of dehumanisation. Results showed that knowledge of autism was comparable to past research and females were more open towards autism. Findings also indicated evidence for dehumanisation, with a particular denial of 'human uniqueness' traits. Furthermore, dehumanisation was related to openness towards autism. These findings have implications for targeting attitudes to reduce stigma associated with autism.

Diagnostic accuracy of the ADOS and ADOS-2 in clinical practice

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule is a semi-structured, standardized assessment tool for individuals with suspected autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and is deemed to be part of the gold standard for diagnostic evaluation. Good diagnostic accuracy and interpersonal objectivity have been demonstrated for the ADOS in research setting. The question arises whether this is also true for daily clinical practice and whether diagnostic accuracy depends on specialized experience in the diagnostic evaluation. The present study explores the diagnostic accuracy of the original and the revised version of the ADOS for Modules 1 through 4. Thus, seven cases of ADOS executions were recorded and coded by a group of experts of specialized outpatient clinics for ASD. In an extensive consensus process, including video analysis of every minute of the ADOS executions, a "gold standard" coding for every case was defined. The videos of the ADOS administration were presented to a large group of clinicians (from daily clinical routine care) and their codings (n = 189) were obtained and analysed. Variance of coding and congruence with the expert coding were determined. High variance was found in the codings. The accuracy of the coding depends on the experience of the coder with the ADOS as well as on characteristics of the cases and the quality of the administration of the ADOS. Specialization in the diagnostic of ASD has to be claimed. Specialized outpatient clinics for ASD are required which guarantee a qualified diagnostic/differential diagnostic and case management with the aim of demand-oriented supply of individual cases.

Observing and participating in social interactions: Action perception and action control across the autistic spectrum

Autism is a developmental condition, characterized by difficulties of social interaction and communication, as well as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Although several important conceptions have shed light on specific facets, there is still no consensus about a universal yet specific theory in terms of its underlying mechanisms. While some theories have exclusively focused on sensory aspects, others have emphasized social difficulties. However, sensory and social processes in autism might be interconnected to a higher degree than what has been traditionally thought. We propose that a mismatch in sensory abilities across individuals can lead to difficulties on a social, i.e. interpersonal level and vice versa. In this article, we, therefore, selectively review evidence indicating an interrelationship between perceptual and social difficulties in autism. Additionally, we link this body of research with studies, which investigate the mechanisms of action control in social contexts. By doing so, we highlight that autistic traits are also crucially related to differences in integration, anticipation and automatic responding to social cues, rather than a mere inability to register and learn from social cues. Importantly, such differences may only manifest themselves in sufficiently complex situations, such as real-life social interactions, where such processes are inextricably linked.

Lay beliefs about the causes and cures of schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Lay beliefs about schizophrenia are an important factor associated with treatment-seeking behavior.

AIMS

This study was conducted to investigate the lay beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia in South Korea.

METHODS

A total of 654 adults (mean age, 35.96 ± 11.33 years) completed two questionnaires assessing their views on the causes and cures of schizophrenia. The factor structures of lay beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia were then analyzed and the correlations between the resultant factors investigated.

RESULTS

From the cause items, four factors were extracted: Health/Lifestyle, God/Fate, Social/Environmental and Biological. Four factors were also extracted from the treatment items: Self-Help/Stress Management, Physical Treatment/Health Management, Religious Help and Mental Health Service Utilization. Notably, most participants believed that items in the Social/Environmental and Biological factors were the causes of schizophrenia, while they believed that items in the Mental Health Service Utilization and Self-Help/Stress Management factors were the treatments. Participants' beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia were systematically correlated.

CONCLUSION

Overall, laypeople have reasonably accurate beliefs and a multidimensional view of the causes and treatments of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, our results suggest that public education about the etiology and treatment of schizophrenia are necessary to increase actual usage of mental health services and treatments for schizophrenia.

Myths about autism: An exploratory study using focus groups

Individuals with autism are often stigmatised and isolated by their typically developing peers according to parental, teacher and self-reports. While quantitative studies often report negative attitudes towards individuals with autism, it is still unclear how understandings of autism influence attitudes. In this exploratory study, misconceptions or myths about autism, that is, the cognitive component of attitudes, were examined using focus groups. Purposive sampling was used to recruit undergraduate and postgraduate students, and adults with and without experience of autism, to one of the five focus groups (n = 37). Content analysis was used to identify emergent themes. The data identified seven commonly held beliefs about individuals with autism. The first four were related to social interaction, such as that people with autism do not like to be touched. The fifth reflected the view that all individuals with autism have a special talent, and the final two concerned beliefs that people with autism are dangerous. The findings from this study demonstrate that people with varying experience or knowledge of autism often hold inaccurate beliefs about autism. These findings improve our understandings of lay beliefs about autism and will aid the development and implementation of interventions designed to improve lay knowledge of autism.

An international review of autism knowledge assessment measures

Autism spectrum disorder-specific knowledge deficits contribute to current disparities in the timing and quality of autism spectrum disorder services throughout the United States and globally. This study conducted a systematic review of Western and International literature to examine measures used to assess autism spectrum disorder knowledge. This review identified 44 unique autism spectrum disorder knowledge measures across 67 studies conducted in 21 countries. Measures used in each study were evaluated in terms of psychometric strength. Of the 67 studies reviewed, only 7% were rated as using a measure with strong psychometric support compared to 45% that were rated as using a measure with no reported psychometric support. Additionally, we examined content overlap and subdomains of autism spectrum disorder knowledge assessed (e.g. etiology, symptoms) and cross-cultural adaptation procedures utilized in the field. Based on these findings, the need for a cross-culturally valid and psychometrically sound measure of autism spectrum disorder knowledge is discussed and recommendations for improving current assessment methods are presented, including suggestions for measure subdomains.