South China Normal University, China.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA.
Autism. 2020 Aug;24(6):1531-1545. doi: 10.1177/1362361319900839. Epub 2020 Apr 27.
Autism spectrum disorder in China differs considerably from autism spectrum disorder in the West in terms of prevalence estimates, education opportunities, and life outcomes of autistic people. The lack of autism spectrum disorder awareness could be a key factor underlying the disparities. To date, there has been no evaluation of autism spectrum disorder knowledge among the general public of China. Using the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire developed for use in diverse cultural contexts, this study uncovered profoundly different public views about autism spectrum disorder in China compared with the United States. Determined by cognitive diagnosis modeling, 86%-91% of the surveyed U.S. citizens ( = 1127) achieved adequate autism spectrum disorder knowledge in diagnosis/symptoms, etiology, and treatment, whereas for the Chinese citizens ( = 1254) the percentages were only 57%-65%. Moreover, 14% of the participants from the United States were classified to endorse autism spectrum disorder stigma; in comparison, 38% of the Chinese participants endorsed autism spectrum disorder stigma. The Chinese citizens displayed knowledge deficits primarily in the areas of autism spectrum disorder core symptoms, comorbid intellectual impairment, and prognosis. Sociodemographic factors associated with the Chinese citizen's misconceptions included gender, ethnicity, social economic factors, among others. These results have important implications for increasing public awareness and promoting community participation for autistic individuals in China.ASD in China differs considerably from ASD in the West in terms of prevalence estimates, education opportunities and life outcomes of autistic people. The lack of ASD awareness could be a key factor underlying these disparities. We asked 1127 U.S. citizens and 1254 Chinese citizens about their autism knowledge using the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q).The results indicated profoundly different public views about ASD in China compared to the U.S. Specifically, only 57%-65% of the Chinese citizens demonstrated adequate ASD knowledge compared to 86%-91% in the U.S. citizens. Fourteen percent of the U.S. citizens were shown to hold stigma beliefs towards ASD; in comparison, 38% of the Chinese citizens indicated ASD stigma. The Chinese citizens displayed misconceptions about ASD related to symptoms, causes, and possible long-term outcomes. In China but not in the U.S., male citizens and citizens with lower social economic status were more likely to have misconceptions about ASD than others were. The findings of this research can help increase public awareness about ASD and create a more inclusive environment for autistic people in China.
在中国，自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）在流行率估计、教育机会和自闭症患者的生活结果方面与西方有很大的不同。自闭症谱系障碍意识的缺乏可能是造成这些差异的关键因素。迄今为止，中国公众对自闭症谱系障碍的认识还没有得到评估。本研究使用针对不同文化背景开发的自闭症谱系障碍污名与知识问卷，发现与美国相比，中国公众对自闭症谱系障碍有截然不同的看法。通过认知诊断建模，接受调查的 1127 名美国公民（ = 1127）中有 86%-91%在诊断/症状、病因和治疗方面具备足够的自闭症谱系障碍知识，而 1254 名中国公民的这一比例仅为 57%-65%。此外，美国有 14%的参与者被归类为认同自闭症谱系障碍污名；相比之下，38%的中国参与者认同自闭症谱系障碍污名。中国公民在自闭症谱系障碍核心症状、共患智力障碍和预后等方面表现出知识缺陷。与中国公民的误解相关的社会人口因素包括性别、种族、社会经济因素等。这些结果对提高公众意识和促进中国自闭症患者的社区参与具有重要意义。
在中国，自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）在流行率估计、教育机会和自闭症患者的生活结果方面与西方有很大的不同。自闭症谱系障碍意识的缺乏可能是造成这些差异的关键因素。我们使用自闭症谱系障碍污名与知识问卷（ASK-Q）询问了 1127 名美国公民和 1254 名中国公民对自闭症的了解情况。
研究结果表明，与美国相比，中国公众对自闭症谱系障碍的看法存在显著差异。具体来说，只有 57%-65%的中国公民表现出足够的自闭症谱系障碍知识，而美国公民的这一比例为 86%-91%。有 14%的美国公民对自闭症谱系障碍有污名化的信念；相比之下，38%的中国公民表示对自闭症谱系障碍有污名化。中国公民对自闭症相关的症状、原因和可能的长期结果存在误解。在中国而不是在美国，男性公民和社会经济地位较低的公民比其他人更有可能对自闭症有误解。这项研究的结果可以帮助提高公众对自闭症的认识，为中国的自闭症患者创造一个更包容的环境。
