Cultural Perspectives on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parental Attitudes and Service Access Across Diverse Communities

Prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest rates continue to increase, with

recent data indicating 1 in 68 children diagnosed with the disorder. Interventions may prove

beneficial for both the core symptoms of the disorder and related deficits, although data indicate

that effects are stronger with early intervention (e.g., prior to four years old). Unfortunately,

many children are undiagnosed until they are school age. Additionally, a number of findings

indicate that in comparison to Caucasian children, African American children receive an ASD

diagnosis later and less often. The current study examined the role of race/ethnicity on 119

mothers' knowledge about autism spectrum disorder, interpretation of symptomology consistent

with ASD (e.g., labeling the child, level of concern, helpful services), attitudes towards mental

health services, and trust in providers. Participants were exposed to a vignette of a child

displaying typical developmental behavior, mild ASD symptomology, or moderate-to-severe

ASD symptomology. Participants indicated their perception of the child's behaviors either as

indicative of normal development, a medical disorder, a developmental disorder, an intellectual

disorder, or an emotional disorder. Participants then completed measures of ASD knowledge,

help seeking attitudes, and provider stigma. In comparison to Caucasians, African Americans

displayed less ASD knowledge, were less able to identify a child with ASD symptoms as having

the disorder, and held more biases toward medical clinicians. Inconsistent with previous studies,

racial/ethnic differences were not found for attitudes of mental health stigma and help seeking

intentions. Implications of findings are discussed