Through the content analysis of the interview data, six themes reflecting participants’ knowledge of autism emerged: (a) belief that individuals with autism have control over their condition; (b) misconceptions about etiology of autism; (c) limited knowledge about attributes of autism; (d) previous experience with people with autism; (e) perception of others’ attitudes toward a peer with autism; and (f) sources of information.
Belief that individuals with autism have control over their condition. The major misconception reflected in students’ responses was the notion of an individual having control over autism. Participant 17 reported that people could avoid or prevent autism by “calming down and sitting by themselves somewhere” when they …show more content…
Well.. it depends. If they don’t be annoying, then yes, and if they don’t have bad habits, or if they try their best to stop themselves from having autism, then yes.”
Interviewer: “Is there anything else you can tell me about autism or people with autism?”
Participant 6: “Um, they won’t be like us, they won’t be a normal person, until they stop being like a not normal person.”
Interviewer: “How could we make them feel included?”
Participant 6: “Say if they try their best not to be annoying or being like a pest, then I would include them in games and …show more content…
Although a significant number of respondents (n=21, 75%) mentioned that autism is a brain-related condition (e.g., “Yes” to the question “Does autism affect a person’s brain?”), what causes autism was another major area found where misconceptions were held. With the initial question “How do you think people can get autism?”, eight students (i.e., Participants 6, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 27, and 28) demonstrated their knowledge that autism is a congenital condition, and that it is not contagious. However, when asked following questions about other possible causes they could think of, Participant 11 suggested “a really bad accident” involving bumping on the head, and Participant 28 supposed that “previous negative experience with family or other relationship” or “getting spoiled by parents” might cause autism. Other misconceptions about etiology of autism included: advanced maternal age, low breast milk supply, low self-esteem, getting angry, hitting on heads, studying too much, and inherited from the mother. None of these have been scientifically shown to be a cause of
Belief that individuals with autism have control over their condition. The major misconception reflected in students’ responses was the notion of an individual having control over autism. Participant 17 reported that people could avoid or prevent autism by “calming down and sitting by themselves somewhere” when they …show more content…
Well.. it depends. If they don’t be annoying, then yes, and if they don’t have bad habits, or if they try their best to stop themselves from having autism, then yes.”
Interviewer: “Is there anything else you can tell me about autism or people with autism?”
Participant 6: “Um, they won’t be like us, they won’t be a normal person, until they stop being like a not normal person.”
Interviewer: “How could we make them feel included?”
Participant 6: “Say if they try their best not to be annoying or being like a pest, then I would include them in games and …show more content…
Although a significant number of respondents (n=21, 75%) mentioned that autism is a brain-related condition (e.g., “Yes” to the question “Does autism affect a person’s brain?”), what causes autism was another major area found where misconceptions were held. With the initial question “How do you think people can get autism?”, eight students (i.e., Participants 6, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 27, and 28) demonstrated their knowledge that autism is a congenital condition, and that it is not contagious. However, when asked following questions about other possible causes they could think of, Participant 11 suggested “a really bad accident” involving bumping on the head, and Participant 28 supposed that “previous negative experience with family or other relationship” or “getting spoiled by parents” might cause autism. Other misconceptions about etiology of autism included: advanced maternal age, low breast milk supply, low self-esteem, getting angry, hitting on heads, studying too much, and inherited from the mother. None of these have been scientifically shown to be a cause of