Parent Beliefs About the Causes of Learning and Developmental Problems Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results From a National Survey

Abstract

This study aimed to assess variation in parent beliefs about causes of learning and developmental problems in U.S. children with autism spectrum disorder, using data from a nationally-representative survey. Results showed that beliefs about a genetic/hereditary cause of learning/developmental problems were most common, but nearly as many parents believed in exposure causes. 40% of parents had no definite causal beliefs. On multivariate analysis, parents who were non-white, publicly-insured or poor were more likely than other parents to endorse exposure causes, or less likely to endorse genetic causes, compared to other parents. Further research should assess how these beliefs modify health care quality or services utilization.

Comparison of maternal beliefs about causes of autism spectrum disorder and association with utilization of services and treatments

“…However, we did proceed with the analysis, as it became apparent that mothers reported more than one causal belief category as often as reporting a single one. Reporting more than one causal belief is consistent with previous studies Harrington, Rosen, et al, 2006;Al Anbar et al, 2010;Zuckerman et al, 2016;Reiff et al, 2017). However, previous studies have not described to the extent that we have, the types, number and combination of causes cited by parents.…”

“…Indeed, in one qualitative study, over 40 environmental causes were identified regarding the aetiology of ASD, illustrating the array of beliefs as well as the potential degree of conviction that some beliefs carry over others (Russell et al, ), all of which add complexity to understanding how beliefs might influence health seeking behaviours. Consistent with Zuckerman et al (), there did not appear to be any correlation between the specific types of causal belief categories when multiple were reported, supporting our analytic approach in comparisons by race/ethnicity and language. When looking at race/ethnicity, Asian mothers were more likely to cite more than one cause compared with White mothers.…”

“…We used regression analyses to test for apparent differences while adjusting for maternal demographic characteristics. Because participants often cited more than one cause and beliefs are not strongly correlated with each other (Zuckerman et al, ), we examined differences in each categorical theme of perceived ASD cause between race/ethnicity groups (Hispanic and Asian each vs. White respondents). Second, we examined differences in each perceived ASD cause category by language (English‐speaking vs. non‐English‐speaking) irrespective of race/ethnicity (Hispanic or Asian).…”

“…We used regression analyses to test for apparent differences while adjusting for maternal demographic characteristics. Because participants often cited more than one cause and beliefs are not strongly correlated with each other (Zuckerman et al, 2016), we examined differences in each categorical theme of perceived ASD cause between race/ethnicity groups (Hispanic and Asian each vs.…”

“…Research on family perspectives in ASD has focused on families' perceptions of the possible causes of ASD. The body of this research reveals that parents' perceptions of causes have evolved (Elder, ; Harrington, Patrick, Edwards, & Brand, ; Harrington, Rosen, Garnecho, & Patrick, ; Russell, Kelly, & Golding, ; Al Anbar, Dardennes, Prado‐Netto, Kaye, & Contejean, ; Goin‐Kochel, Mire, & Dempsey, ; Zuckerman, Lindly, & Sinche, ; Fischbach, Harris, Ballan, Fischbach, & Link, ) as the scientific community's hypotheses about the pathophysiologic mechanisms underpinning ASD have changed in the last 50 years. The growing consensus in both communities is that ASD is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder involving the interaction of environmental and genetic factors.…”