HSE-2 The Impact of Knowledge on the Stigma Surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder that has emotional, social, and behavioral effects on an individual, which might cause onlookers to refrain from engaging with them (Stockwell et al., 2021). Previous research has shown that individuals with ASD experience vast amounts of stigma, so much so that the lack of societal understanding of the disorder prevents the parents of these individuals from interacting with society (Alareeki, et. al,, 2022). Since individuals with ASD can be stigmatized, it is important for researchers to develop a deeper understanding of the disorder with the hope of decreasing the stigma that surrounds it. By understanding how education impacts the stigma around ASD, researchers will have a better understanding of how individuals with ASD can be more readily accepted in and understood by society. In the current study, we aimed to analyze if an educational component would reduce the amount of stigma surrounding ASD. The study also assessed if education would increase willingness to interact with individuals who have ASD or ASD behaviors. Participants were randomly assigned to watch an educational video on ASD or not. Participants then read one of three vignettes. Vignette A focused on an individual that changes a conversation to computer hardware, is inappropriately dressed for the weather, and is labeled with ASD. Vignette B focused on an individual who changes the conversation to computer hardware, is inappropriately dressed for the weather, and has no ASD label but ASD behaviors. Vignette C focused on an individual who carries on a conversation without changing the topic to their interests, is appropriately dressed for the weather, and has no ASD label or behaviors. After reading the vignette, participants answered questions on their prior educational/exposure level to individuals with ASD and completed a social distance scale. Results showed that watching an educational video on ASD increased participants’ willingness to interact with individuals with an ASD label and individuals who exhibited ASD behaviors.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, Behavioral research
HSE-2 The Impact of Knowledge on the Stigma Surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder that has emotional, social, and behavioral effects on an individual, which might cause onlookers to refrain from engaging with them (Stockwell et al., 2021). Previous research has shown that individuals with ASD experience vast amounts of stigma, so much so that the lack of societal understanding of the disorder prevents the parents of these individuals from interacting with society (Alareeki, et. al,, 2022). Since individuals with ASD can be stigmatized, it is important for researchers to develop a deeper understanding of the disorder with the hope of decreasing the stigma that surrounds it. By understanding how education impacts the stigma around ASD, researchers will have a better understanding of how individuals with ASD can be more readily accepted in and understood by society. In the current study, we aimed to analyze if an educational component would reduce the amount of stigma surrounding ASD. The study also assessed if education would increase willingness to interact with individuals who have ASD or ASD behaviors. Participants were randomly assigned to watch an educational video on ASD or not. Participants then read one of three vignettes. Vignette A focused on an individual that changes a conversation to computer hardware, is inappropriately dressed for the weather, and is labeled with ASD. Vignette B focused on an individual who changes the conversation to computer hardware, is inappropriately dressed for the weather, and has no ASD label but ASD behaviors. Vignette C focused on an individual who carries on a conversation without changing the topic to their interests, is appropriately dressed for the weather, and has no ASD label or behaviors. After reading the vignette, participants answered questions on their prior educational/exposure level to individuals with ASD and completed a social distance scale. Results showed that watching an educational video on ASD increased participants’ willingness to interact with individuals with an ASD label and individuals who exhibited ASD behaviors.