01-06-2011 | Original paper
Middle School Students’ Knowledge of Autism
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 6/2011
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Authors examined 1,015 middle school students’ knowledge of autism using a single item of prior awareness and a 10-item Knowledge of Autism (KOA) scale. The KOA scale was designed to assess students’ knowledge of the course, etiology, and symptoms associated with autism. Less than half of students (46.1%) reported having heard of autism; however, most students correctly responded that autism was a chronic condition that was not communicable. Students reporting prior awareness of autism scored higher on 9 of 10 KOA scale items when compared to their naïve counterparts. Prior awareness of autism and KOA scores also differed across schools. A more detailed understanding of developmental changes in students’ knowledge of autism should improve peer educational interventions.