Awareness and knowledge of autism spectrum disorder in Western China: Promoting early identification and intervention

Abstract

PurposeGiven the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the public health problems it creates; early identification and interventions are needed to improve the prognosis of ASD. Hence, this study surveyed different groups of people who are likely to have early contact with autistic children to provide an informed basis for early detection and effective diagnosis and interventions.MethodsThree groups of people were recruited for the study from Changshou District and Wushan County of Chongqing, in Western China: 269 medical workers, 181 educators, and 188 community residents. Their understanding and knowledge of autism was measured using a self-made questionnaire.ResultsThe positive finding was that the three groups had a certain level of understanding of autism, but they had some misunderstandings of the core problems, and there were significant differences in the understanding of autism among the three groups. Younger medical workers knew more about autism than older ones did. The ability of educators and community residents to identify autistic symptoms was positively related to their level of education and their experience with autistic children. Television and the internet were the main sources of information about autism for participants.ConclusionsThe medical workers, educators, and community residents in the investigated areas in western China may be able to identify early signs of autism but have an inadequate understanding of autism. In areas far from cities, it is necessary to strengthen the training of medical workers in primary health care to promote autism screening and referral in educational institutions and communities. Using internet technology to provide public education and professional training about autism in remote areas could be a very promising method in Western China.

The challenges for early intervention and its effects on the prognosis of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

“… 80 Estes et al 35 2015 Quantitative non-randomized Experimental (n=24) Comparison (n=24) Assessment of whether early intervention results are maintained over time There is evidence that gains from early intensive intervention are maintained for at least 2 years afterwards. 100 Wei et al 36 2022 Quantitative non-randomized A Cross-sectional analytic study Medical Workers (n=269) Educators (n=181) Community (n=188) Knowledge survey about ASD in people who work or will have early contact with children with ASD Professionals were able to recognize early signs of ASD but had an inadequate understanding of the disorder. 80 Coelho et al 37 2021 Quantitative non-randomized Experimental (n=55) Investigation of the development trajectory of two groups of children with ASD in search of predictive factors and adjustments for better intervention strategies Diagnosis and early intervention are determinants of different prognoses.…”

“… Studies that compared prognoses according to the initiation of EI for ASD at different ages 23 - 26 ; Studies that sought to establish prognostic gains in the face of different intervention programs 27 - 34 ; Studies that observed whether there was maintenance of EI results over time 35 ; Studies on the knowledge of professionals about the disease 36 ; Studies that sought to establish predictive factors for intervention adjustments 37 , and; Studies on screening method and its effects on final prognosis 38 . …”

“…Thus, level 1 consists of observing the child in primary health care, for example, in child care consultations, to select those who are at high risk of ASD, in addition to monitoring, at each consultation, whether the child’s developmental milestones are being met. In the scope of level 2, after screening is carried out, the patient is referred to specialized professionals for the application of tests and confirmation of the diagnosis 36 . Each of these levels has its assessment tools, to be elucidated in this review.…”

“…Children who are diagnosed early have access to more interventions, resulting in better verbal cognition and general expression at school age and, as a consequence, they need less ongoing support at school than children diagnosed later 23 . However, it is considered that factors such as less severe symptoms, social communication difficulties at an appropriate age 24 , lack of routine surveillance and even oppressive and confusing social environments for children with ASD contributed significantly to later diagnoses 36 .…”

Evaluation of autism awareness and knowledge levels among Syrian migrants living in Türkiye

“…Similar to this study, in a study on pharmacists in Palestine, 61.4% of the participants stated that genetic factors were the cause of autism (Shawahna et al, 2017 ). In a study in China, most of the participants stated that inappropriate family education was the cause of autism, and the second was abnormal brain development (Wei et al, 2022 ).…”