Affiliations 

  • 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Speech Sciences Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership and Counseling, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • 3 Faculty of Health Sciences, Speech Sciences Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 4 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Rehabilitation & Special Needs Studies, Programme of Clinical Psychology and Behavioural Health, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO, USA
  • 6 School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
Int J Dev Disabil, 2023;69(4):568-577.
PMID: 37346250 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1975254

Abstract

Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.