Authors: Tomonori Koyama Hisateru Tachimori Kanae Sawamura Asuka Koyama Yoichi Naganuma Hazuki Makino Tadashi Takeshima
Publish Date: 2008/12/18
Volume: 44, Issue: 8, Pages: 651-657
Abstract
Using a vignette of a young child 500 Japanese participants were asked their perspectives such as causes and appropriate coping strategies For each response from those respondents who correctly identified the child as having autism we tested the effects of sex and generationTwo hundred twentynine respondents 458 correctly identified the child as having autism Significantly P 005 more females planned practical coping strategies such as contacting public agencies whereas males had relatively more irrelevant perceptions for example significantly more males attributed ASD to social environment Significantly more young respondents expected psychiatric treatments such as antipsychotic administration to be effective and more seniors estimated low that the prevalence is approximately 001 or lessThe mental health literacy of ASD among the Japanese public appears to be acceptable but there is still much room for improvement Females showed more accurate knowledge possibly reflecting gender roles Some young people are not likely to know of the impact of psychiatric treatment and seniors appear to be unaware of the current broadened recognition of ASD Continued efforts to disseminate accurate information are required particularly among malesThis study was supported by a Research Grant from the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare Japan H16KOKORO013 We thank Drs Yoshiharu Kim Hiroshi Kurita Naoki Nago Iwao Oshima and Motoe Yamamura for their help with developing the survey sheetPerson A is 33 years old Person A’s child is now 3 years old but does not speak much Also the child does not communicate by pointing body gestures or facial expressions For example if the child wants to open a door the child will grab an adult’s hand to open the doorEvery morning the child steps on a manhole cover in front of the house before going to preschool One morning a car was parked on the manhole and the child could not step on the manhole cover The child began to cry hysterically and refused to go to preschool
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