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Factors that Influence Autism Knowledge in Hispanic Cultures: a Pilot Study

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Abstract

Although the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising, Hispanic children are diagnosed at a disproportionately lower rate compared to other ethnic and racial groups. Lack of ASD knowledge in the Hispanic community may contribute to this disparity. The study objective was to determine whether sociocultural and environmental factors linked to ASD diagnostic disparities were related to Hispanic parents’ ASD knowledge. A 60-item survey assessing demographic information, acculturation, religiosity, social support, and ASD knowledge was administered to 64 Hispanic patients (84 % female; 76 % uninsured; 82 % Catholic) visiting a southwest clinic. Socioeconomic status (SES), social support, language of questionnaire, spiritual attribution of child diagnosis, and religious importance predicted ASD knowledge, accounting for 43 % of variance. Results contribute to understanding how sociocultural and environmental factors influence ASD knowledge within at-risk Hispanic individuals, which can be used to improve information dissemination and ultimately reduce disparity in ASD services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eastern Michigan University, 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA

    Alison M. Colbert

  2. Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Jo Webber & Reiko Graham

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  1. Alison M. Colbert
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Correspondence to Alison M. Colbert.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Colbert, A.M., Webber, J. & Graham, R. Factors that Influence Autism Knowledge in Hispanic Cultures: a Pilot Study. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 4, 156–164 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-016-0213-4

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