Event Title

Knowledge & Perceptions of ASD

Presenter Information

Courtney Sill, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Krystal Klicka, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Devon Charlier, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Sydney Orr, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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.