Knowledge & Perceptions of ASD
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
10-4-2018 2:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2018 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Health Science
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Joseph Visker
Mentor's Department
Health Science
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a condition affecting millions of children and adults, manifests itself in the form of language impairments, social skill deficits, and repetitive behaviors which can all vary widely in their severity. Having a basic understanding of ASD and maintaining an open and welcoming attitude to interacting with individuals affected by ASD is essential for healthy and positive interactions. While ASD is common, it is widely misunderstood among the general population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore levels of knowledge and perceptions of people with ASD among the collegiate population. Data was collected using validated a self-report instrument. A total of 200 students from a single, Midwestern university were selected for the study, using convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to assess overall mean and standard deviation for the knowledge and attitude perceptions. The results showed a mean of 26.2 out of 35 for the total attitude portion, indicating that participants had a positive perception towards interacting with those on the ASD spectrum. The results of the knowledge portion showed a mean of 11.1 out of a total score of 14, indicating there may be areas for improvement. The results of this study show a need for health and education professionals to provide basic information on ASD conditions as well as create training on how to have positive interactions with those who have the condition.
Knowledge & Perceptions of ASD
CSU Ballroom
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a condition affecting millions of children and adults, manifests itself in the form of language impairments, social skill deficits, and repetitive behaviors which can all vary widely in their severity. Having a basic understanding of ASD and maintaining an open and welcoming attitude to interacting with individuals affected by ASD is essential for healthy and positive interactions. While ASD is common, it is widely misunderstood among the general population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore levels of knowledge and perceptions of people with ASD among the collegiate population. Data was collected using validated a self-report instrument. A total of 200 students from a single, Midwestern university were selected for the study, using convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to assess overall mean and standard deviation for the knowledge and attitude perceptions. The results showed a mean of 26.2 out of 35 for the total attitude portion, indicating that participants had a positive perception towards interacting with those on the ASD spectrum. The results of the knowledge portion showed a mean of 11.1 out of a total score of 14, indicating there may be areas for improvement. The results of this study show a need for health and education professionals to provide basic information on ASD conditions as well as create training on how to have positive interactions with those who have the condition.
Recommended Citation
Sill, Courtney; Krystal Klicka; Devon Charlier; and Sydney Orr. "Knowledge & Perceptions of ASD." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/poster-session-B/23
