Community Knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the knowledge of the general community in Saudi Arabia about autism spectrum disorder. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period between June and September 2021 in Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire tool. The questionnaire tool was developed based on a literature review. The questionnaire tool consists of 34 items that assess knowledge about autism spectrum disorder in terms of its etiology, autistic patient features, autistic children’s abilities and needs, and autistic adults’ abilities and needs. The total score for each subscale was used to define the level of knowledge of it. Correct answers were given a score of one, and the total score for each subscale was used to describe the level of knowledge of it. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of good knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (defined as a total score equal or above the mean score of the study participants). Results: This study enlisted the participation of 500 people. The participants’ overall understanding of autism spectrum disorder was moderate, with a mean score of 20.6 (SD: 5.6) out of 34, or 60.6 %. The participants’ knowledge levels ranged from 32.2 % to 77.5 %. The items about the abilities and needs of adolescents and young people with autism had the highest degree of knowledge (77.5 %). The items about autism's causes had the lowest level of expertise (32.2 %). When compared to others, females, those with a master’s degree, and those working in the healthcare field had a higher likelihood of knowing more about the autism spectrum condition. (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge about autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia is moderate. Social media channels and healthcare centers should be used to conduct educational campaigns for parents. The goal of this educational campaign should be to improve parents’ ability to recognize the causes of autism.

Assessment of Parental Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception About Autism Spectrum Disorders in Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…A much higher level of parental knowledge regarding autism was reported by Kandice J. Benallie 20 where 43.9% of the parents showed good knowledge levels regarding the disorder. Similarly low levels of knowledge among parents was detected in Pakistan by Anwar et al 21 who reported that poor knowledge scores, with a mean score of 5.59 in the section concerning correct opinions on autism and that of 6.84 in the section testing knowledge of signs and symptoms.…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine all autistic children stayed in their homes with no contact with their teachers which made the role of their families to teach them and care about them more important due to the absence of their teacher's effect. 12,19 A much higher level of parental knowledge regarding autism was reported by Kandice J. Benallie 20 where 43.9% of the parents showed good knowledge levels regarding the disorder. Similarly low levels of knowledge among parents was detected in Pakistan by Anwar et al 21 who reported that poor knowledge scores, with a mean score of 5.59 in the section concerning correct opinions on autism and that of 6.84 in the section testing knowledge of signs and symptoms.…”

Knowledge levels of mothers with children aged 0-6 about autism spectrum disorder

“…The European Research Journal 2023 been rising in recent decades, and it has been determined that boys are at 4.2 times more risk than girls [2]. It is thought that the increasing prevalence, developing technology and facilitating access to information, and the fact that families seek to diagnose their children are compelling.…”

“…ASD was defined separately from other childhood diseases by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 and was classified as five diseases in 1994: Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Atypical Autism, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett Syndrome. However, in 2013, Rett Syndrome was excluded from this category, and all were defined as ASD based on social communication and isolatedrepetitive sensory activities [2]. While one out of 59 children is diagnosed with ASD in the United States, this rate is estimated to be around 1% globally [3,4].…”

Autism children dietary habits in Hail, Saudi Arabia: A parents’ survey

“…Certain troubles are linked to food discernment and food refusal and are more likely focused than those related to mealtime (Bonsall et al, 2021;Kang et al, 2022). Recent studies from Saudi Arabia have shown relatively low awareness levels of autism (Sabbagh et al, 2021;Abualhommos et al, 2022;Alyami et al, 2022).…”