Table 2.
Psychiatrists correct responses to items on the Knowledge of Autism Scale (n = 162)
| Item | Answer (true/false) | Psychiatrists giving a correct response, n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| An autism diagnosis cannot be made before a child is 3 years of age | False | 99 (61.1) |
| A child failing to respond to their name when called can be an early sign of autism | True | 118 (72.8) |
| A lack of eye contact is necessary for a person to receive a diagnosis of autism | False | 157 (96.9) |
| Research has shown that the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is not a direct cause of autism | True | 153 (94.4) |
| Autism is caused by a lack of bonding between mother and child | False | 159 (98.1) |
| Autism is a rare condition, affecting only 15 per 10 000 individuals in the UK | False | 150 (92.6) |
| Autism cannot be diagnosed in adulthood | False | 161 (99.4) |
| The behaviours characteristic of autism are usually mild and transient, so specific intervention is not usually required | False | 156 (96.3) |
| The prevalence of autism is greater in children than in adults | False | 131 (80.9) |
| Younger siblings of children with autism have a higher probability (approximately 20%) of being diagnosed with autism | True | 142 (87.7) |
| Most people with autism also have intellectual disabilities | False | 113 (69.8) |
| Females are less likely to be diagnosed with autism than males | True | 155 (95.7) |
| People with autism feel no empathy or affection | False | 156 (96.3) |
| Children with autism can be interested in social interaction | True | 153 (94.4) |
| More than half of people diagnosed with autism do not talk | False | 151 (93.2) |
| Children with autism can show unusual reactions to certain smells and sounds | True | 160 (98.8) |
| Additional mental health conditions (for example, anxiety, depression) are more prevalent in individuals diagnosed with autism than in the general population | True | 158 (97.5) |
| Most children with autism eventually outgrow autism | False | 159 (98.1) |
| Independent living is not possible for people with autism | False | 161 (99.4) |
| The behaviours in autism can only be managed with medication | False | 161 (99.4) |
| People with autism always display challenging behaviours | False | 156 (96.3) |
| Children with autism tend to learn better when things are presented in a visual format | True | 135 (83.3) |