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Changing Children’s Attitudes Toward Autism: A Process of Persuasive Communication

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Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

The purposes of this paper are two-fold. First, the initial introduction of a child with autism to typically developing peers is conceptualized as a process of persuasive communication. Second, relevant literature is organized and reviewed according to important components and processes involved in persuasive communication, including effects of source, message, receiver, and channel. Research about perceptions of children with autism is highlighted when available. When findings for autism were unavailable, literature on children’s perceptions of peers with physical and medical disabilities is reviewed as well as perceptions of adults with severe mental illness. From the perspective of persuasion theory, limitations of the literature and future research questions are identified that are relevant to introducing children with autism to peers for the first time.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Preparation of this article was supported in part by a research grant from the Organization for Autism Research Foundation awarded to the author.

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  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia, Georgia, USA

    Jonathan M. Campbell

  2. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia, 325 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA, 30602-7143, USA

    Jonathan M. Campbell

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Campbell, J.M. Changing Children’s Attitudes Toward Autism: A Process of Persuasive Communication. J Dev Phys Disabil 18, 251–272 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-006-9015-7

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