Greater autism knowledge and contact with autistic people are independently associated with favourable attitudes towards autistic people

Shand, Alanna J.; Close, Scarlett A D; Shah, Punit

doi:10.1017/exp.2020.46

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Such discrimination and stigma constitute a substantial barrier for autistic people seeking to develop social connections. Discrimination and stigma could be countered by widespread public acceptance campaigns (including those developed with autistic people 228 ), and programmes that increase the number of everyday interactions between autistic and non-autistic people 229 , 230 .…”

Section: A Capabilities Approach To Autistic Livesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood

et al. 2022

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There is little comprehensive research into autistic adulthood, and even less into the services and supports that are most likely to foster flourishing adult autistic lives. This limited research is partly because autism is largely conceived as a condition of childhood, but this focus of research has also resulted from the orthodox scientific approach to autism, which conceptualizes autistic experience almost entirely as a series of biologically derived functional deficits. Approaching autism in this way severely limits what is known about this neurodevelopmental difference, how research is conducted and the services and supports available. In this Review, we adopt an alternative research strategy: we apply Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach, which focuses on ten core elements of a thriving human life, to research on autistic adulthood. In doing so, we identify areas where autistic adults thrive and where they often struggle, and highlight issues to which researchers, clinicians and policymakers should respond. The resulting picture is far more complex than conventional accounts of autism imply. It also reveals the importance of engaging autistic adults directly in the research process to make progress towards genuinely knowing autism and supporting flourishing autistic lives.

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Section: A Capabilities Approach To Autistic Livesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood

et al. 2022

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“…When we examine levels of autism knowledge globally, we see vast differentiation between countries. Research shows that public knowledge of autism is particularly poor in Saudi Arabia [24], China [25,26], and Pakistan [27], but much better in countries, such as Australia [28], USA [25,29], Northern Ireland [30], and the UK [31]. Interestingly the countries that present with the greatest knowledge levels are the same countries in which autism education campaigns have been run, affirming the use and effectiveness of such campaigns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stigma: An Investigative Analysis of the Irish Public’s Knowledge and Perception of Autism

Hargreaves¹,

Mothersill²,

Loughnane³

2023

Autism Spectrum Disorders - Recent Advances and New Perspectives

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Levels of stigma toward autism have greatly reduced over the past two decades, particularly since the introduction of various anti-stigma and educational campaigns. However, stigma does remain negatively impacting the lives of people with autism, despite attempts to educate the public about the condition. One country in which this is apparent is Ireland, where, although various autism campaigns have been implemented, and there is evidence of improved attitudes and behavior toward individuals with autism, there still remains a lack of knowledge and understanding with regard to the condition. This chapter presents some novel findings regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the Irish public toward autism. In an exploratory analysis, results demonstrate that whilst the Irish public professes an awareness of autism, a deep understanding of the condition is not present. There is also confusion regarding factors that contribute to autism. Reassuringly, there is little evidence of discrimination toward autistic individuals, but there are elements of prejudice that still exist. Details of these findings are outlined and discussed.

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“…Greater autism knowledge has been associated with more self-perceived confidence towards the treatment of autistic clients among psychiatrists (Crane et al, 2019; M. E. Williams & Haranin, 2016) and more positive attitudes towards working with autistic people among the public (Shand et al, 2020). Similarly, autism training, as a proxy for knowledge, has been linked to community providers’ experiences of normative pressures (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinician factors related to the delivery of psychotherapy for autistic youth and youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Roudbarani

Modica

Maddox

et al. 2022

Autism

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Autistic children and adolescents are more likely than non-autistic youth to experience mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, but less likely to receive psychotherapy to address these concerns. Recent research indicates that clinician factors, such as knowledge, attitudes, confidence and beliefs, can impact their decisions to provide care, though this work has primarily focused on adults or within the context of one kind of treatment (cognitive behaviour therapy). The current study examined psychological predictors (e.g. attitudes and confidence) of clinicians’ intention to deliver psychotherapy to autistic youth and those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Participants included 611 clinicians across publicly funded agencies in Ontario, Canada. Multiple mediation analyses revealed that clinician knowledge on mental health-related topics (e.g. core symptoms, developing treatment plans and identifying progress towards treatment goals) was associated with intention to treat autistic clients or clients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and normative pressures and attitudes partially mediated this association. Clinicians felt less likely to treat autistic clients than clients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, partly because of differences in attitudes, normative pressures and knowledge. This research suggests that targeted training around autism and mental health care may be a useful initiative for agency staff. Lay abstract Autistic children and youth often experience mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and behavioural challenges. Although there are therapy programmes that have been found helpful in reducing these issues, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, autistic children often struggle to receive adequate mental health care. Clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence and beliefs about treating mental health problems in autistic people may be related to their choices in providing psychotherapy. Across Ontario, Canada, 611 mental health clinicians, working in publicly funded agencies, completed an online survey about their experiences and opinions on delivering therapy for autistic clients compared to those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clinician knowledge was associated with their intention to treat autistic clients or clients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, partly because of their attitudes and the social pressures or values they felt. Clinicians reported feeling less intent on providing therapy to autistic youth compared to youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder because of differences in their attitudes, social pressures and knowledge. This research can inform the training and educational initiatives for mental health practitioners.

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Greater autism knowledge and contact with autistic people are independently associated with favourable attitudes towards autistic people

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood

A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood

Stigma: An Investigative Analysis of the Irish Public’s Knowledge and Perception of Autism

Clinician factors related to the delivery of psychotherapy for autistic youth and youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

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