Table 3 Respondents’ knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Variable | Frequency (N = 230) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
*Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Birth complications | 73 | 31.7 |
Head injury | 38 | 16.5 |
Family history | 39 | 16.9 |
Drinking alcohol in pregnancy | 19 | 8.2 |
I don’t know | 31 | 13.5 |
Others | 1 | 0.4 |
Manifestation of Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Early childhood | 126 | 54.8 |
Late childhood | 71 | 30.9 |
Adulthood | 1 | 0.4 |
I don’t know | 32 | 13.9 |
*Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Unable to communicate with others | 130 | 56.5 |
Un-cooperative and being isolated | 76 | 33.0 |
No eye contact and not close to family member | 63 | 27.4 |
Language barriers | 78 | 33.9 |
Talking to themselves or repetitive talking | 45 | 19.6 |
Narrow life interests and repetitive behaviours | 21 | 9.1 |
I don’t know | 2 | 0.8 |
Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
From mild to severe | 48 | 20.9 |
Usually mild | 29 | 12.6 |
Usually severe | 34 | 14.8 |
I don’t know | 119 | 51.8 |
*Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Economic status of the parents | 112 | 48.7 |
Educational background of the parents | 22 | 9.5 |
Age of the parents | 30 | 13.0 |
I don’t know | 46 | 37.4 |
Autism Spectrum Disorder can be cured | ||
Yes | 99 | 43.0 |
No | 57 | 24.8 |
I don’t know | 74 | 32.2 |
*Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Behavioural therapy | 143 | 62.2 |
Speech therapy | 105 | 45.7 |
I don’t know | 33 | 14.4 |
Others | 3 | 1.3 |
*Talents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
Drawing | 72 | 31.0 |
Singing | 57 | 24.8 |
Dancing | 71 | 30.8 |
None | 27 | 11.7 |
I don’t know | 31 | 13.5 |
Other talents | 1 | 0.4 |
Overall knowledge | ||
Good | 3 | 1.3 |
Poor | 227 | 98.7 |
Main source of information | ||
Family member | 22 | 9.6 |
Friends | 14 | 6.1 |
Health care workers | 111 | 48.3 |
Internet | 9 | 3.9 |
Media (TV/Radio/Newspaper/Social media) | 73 | 31.7 |
Others | 1 | 0.4 |