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

Hua Wei; Yan Li; Yu Zhang; Jinmei Luo; Shuang Wang; Qiujun Dong; Yuanyuan Tao; Ling Gong; Yang Feng; Mingmei Shi; Zhenghui Cao; Yongfang Liu; Li Chen; Xiao Liu; Ying Dai; Lingling Qu; Zhao Song; Jie Chen; Tingyu Li; Qian Cheng

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.970611

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

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Nov 10:13:970611. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.970611. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Hua Wei^{1

2}, Yan Li^{1

2}, Yu Zhang^{1

2}, Jinmei Luo^{1

2}, Shuang Wang^{1

2}, Qiujun Dong^{1

2}, Yuanyuan Tao^{1

2}, Ling Gong³, Yang Feng³, Mingmei Shi⁴, Zhenghui Cao⁴, Yongfang Liu⁵, Li Chen^{1

2}, Xiao Liu^{1

2}, Ying Dai^{1

2}, Lingling Qu^{1

2}, Zhao Song^{1

2}, Jie Chen^{1

2}, Tingyu Li^{1

2}, Qian Cheng^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.
² Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China.
³ Department of Child Healthcare, Changshou District Maternal and Child Care Family Planning Service Center, Chongqing, China.
⁴ Department of Children's Rehabilitation, Wushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chongqing, China.
⁵ Department of Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Abstract

Purpose: Given 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.

Methods: Three 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.

Results: The 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.

Conclusions: The 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.

Keywords: China; autism spectrum disorder; awareness; early detection; predictors.