Autism identification across ethnic groups: a narrative review

Tromans, Samuel; Chester, Verity; Gemegah, Eli; Roberts, Kristian; Morgan, Zoe; Yao, Guiqing; Brugha, Traolach

doi:10.1108/aia-03-2020-0017

Cited by 34 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Limited conceptualizations (i.e., a stereotypical idea of a White, male, and nonspeaking child 32 ) of what autism ''looks like'' have led to underdiagnosis in certain populations, notably people of color 55 and women. 56 The current diagnostic gap between men and women sits at around 4:1.…”

Section: Masking and Gendermentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice

Pearson

Rose

2021

Autism in Adulthood

249

160

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Autistic masking is an emerging research area that focuses on understanding the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural autistic responses and adoption of alternatives across a range of domains. It is suggested that masking may relate to negative outcomes for autistic people, including late/missed diagnosis, mental health issues, burnout, and suicidality. This makes it essential to understand what masking is, and why it occurs. In this conceptual analysis, we suggest that masking is an unsurprising response to the deficit narrative and accompanying stigma that has developed around autism. We outline how classical social theory (i.e., social identity theory) can help us to understand how and why people mask by situating masking in the social context in which it develops. We draw upon the literature on stigma and marginalization to examine how masking might intersect with different aspects of identity (e.g., gender). We argue that although masking might contribute toward disparities in diagnosis, it is important that we do not impose gender norms and stereotypes by associating masking with a ''female autism phenotype.'' Finally we provide recommendations for future research, stressing the need for increased understanding of the different ways that autism may present in different people (e.g., internalizing and externalizing) and intersectionality. We suggest that masking is examined through a sociodevelopmental lens, taking into account factors that contribute toward the initial development of the mask and that drive its maintenance.

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Section: Masking and Gendermentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice

Pearson

Rose

2021

Autism in Adulthood

249

160

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Research on the societal stigma people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience have explored associations between autism knowledge and contact stigma, and between autism knowledge and stigma (Mavropoulou and Sideridis, 2014; Gillespie-Lynch et al , 2015; Stern and Barnes, 2019; Campbell et al , 2019), with a focus on the effects of children’s autism on parents’ well-being and coping mechanisms (Tarakeshwar and Pargament, 2001; Timmons and Ekas, 2018). Although research has examined the prevalence of autism across ethnic groups (Mandell et al , 2009; Hassan, 2012; Maenner et al , 2020; Tromans et al , 2020), we know little about the views of ethnic minority groups about autism, particularly the experiences of autism in families from minority ethnic group backgrounds (Heer et al , 2012; Munroe et al , 2016; Fox et al , 2017; Lin et al , 2011). To mitigate societal stigma, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to public attitudes to autism.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Public attitudes to people with ASD: contact, knowledge and ethnicity

Gemegah

Hartas

Totsika

2020

AIA

Self Cite

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Purpose The increase in autism prevalence and presentation in the media suggests a rise in public awareness. This paper aims to explore what factors (contact, knowledge and ethnicity) may be associated to positive attitudes towards individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design/methodology/approach An online survey examined contact with and knowledge of ASD among Black, Asian and White ethnic groups to predict public attitudes to people with ASD. Findings In multiple regression models, the results suggested that the level of contact predicts positive attitudes towards autism when demographic factors were accounted. The level of knowledge about autism were significantly associated to attitudes, but not consistently when demographic factors were accounted. However, differences in knowledge and attitudes to people with ASD were identified amongst Black, Asian and White ethnic groups. Research limitations/implications These findings have implications for policy and public health and education campaigns, including ensuring contact and knowledge of autism among the public. Originality/value These findings have implications for policy and public health and education campaigns, including ensuring contact and knowledge of autism among the public. Additionally, further effort is required to target public knowledge and attitudes to autism, particularly among ethnic groups. Institutional support tailored to encourage structured and unstructured contact across public domains such as education, health, social and care practices could effectively reduce prejudice between the public and people with ASD over time.

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“…All efforts to improve practice should incorporate the priorities of autistic women and girls, as these may not be aligned with researchers. Exploring autism from an intersectional perspective is imperative (Kourti and MacLeod, 2019) as there is a significant lack of research on the experiences of autistic females from minority ethnic backgrounds (Tromans et al, 2020), those with ID, mental or physical health comorbidities, gender identity difficulties or those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The presentation, recognition and diagnosis of autism in women and girls

Driver

Chester

2021

AIA

Self Cite

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Purpose Autistic women and girls have received comparatively less attention within clinical practice and research. Research suggests women tend to be diagnosed later than men, and are more likely to experience misdiagnosis. Design/methodology/approach This paper aims to report a narrative literature review that examines research on the presentation, recognition, and diagnosis of autistic women and girls. Findings Findings suggest that autistic females present differently to males and highlight low recognition of the female presentation of autism among the general public, in social spheres, educational, clinical and forensic settings. This lack of recognition appears to affect the likelihood of females being referred for diagnosis, the reliability of diagnostic assessments and subsequent access to support. Originality/value Recommendations for clinical practice focus on initiatives to increase awareness of the female presentation of autism, improving the diagnostic process for females, increasing female representation within autism training and for future research to support these goals.

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Autism identification across ethnic groups: a narrative review

Cited by 34 publications

References 60 publications

A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice

A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice

Public attitudes to people with ASD: contact, knowledge and ethnicity

The presentation, recognition and diagnosis of autism in women and girls

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